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PPProspect Park Alliance
Prospect Park AllianceParks & Recreation

Eco Zone Gardener

Location

Brooklyn, New York, United States

Work type

Field

Employment

Full Time

Experience

1-3 years

Compensation

$24 - $24 per hour

Posted

8h ago

Summary and responsibilities

Role overview

Summary

The Eco Zone Gardener is responsible for ecological restoration and sustainable horticulture in Prospect Park, ensuring assigned zones are clean, safe, and visually appealing. This role involves landscape maintenance, operating vehicles and equipment, and coordinating volunteers, reporting to a Lead Eco Zone Gardener.

The Eco Zone Gardener implements ecological restoration and sustainable horticulture standards in an assigned Prospect Park ecological zone. Reporting to a Lead Eco Zone Gardener, this role works collaboratively to keep park landscapes clean, safe, healthy, and visually appealing.

Key Responsibilities

Landscape Restoration & Maintenance

  • Control vegetation through hand-pulling, power tools, and assisting with herbicide applications.

  • Prepare and maintain planting sites by clearing debris, raking, leveling soil, installing erosion controls, watering, and digging.

  • Plant and seed prepared areas; prune trees and shrubs for safety, aesthetics, and project goals.

  • Cut and remove woody debris from storms or aging trees.

  • Install, maintain, and remove fencing, woodchips, signage, and rustic rails.

  • Remove litter, clear blocked drains, address hazards, and assist with emergencies, events, and special projects.

  • Remove snow from assigned areas and perform trail maintenance/construction.

  • Conduct regular zone field surveys, plan upcoming work with leadership, and document daily work, hours, and progress toward goals.

  • Develop and complete annual SMART goals aligned with department objectives.

Vehicles, Equipment & Tools

  • Safely operate and maintain vehicles and equipment including trucks, utility vehicles, tractors, chainsaws, string trimmers, mowers, brush hogs, chippers, and hedge trimmers.

  • Maintain tool/equipment inventories and shared workspaces and report safety or maintenance issues.

  • Support training on complex or hazardous equipment.

  • Travel throughout the Park as needed.

  • Facilitate ecological research and science initiatives with students, schools, universities, and government organizations.

Volunteers & Public Engagement

  • Coordinate, lead, track, and document volunteer and intern work.

  • Provide friendly, responsive customer service, answer park questions, and help resolve visitor concerns.

  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Fisheries, or related field, or a Horticulture certificate preferred.

  • 1+ year of landscape management/ecological restoration experience in a public park setting, or 3+ years of relevant experience without a degree.

  • Strong knowledge of sustainable ecological practices, Northeast native plants, plant identification, and work prioritization.

  • Valid NYS Driver’s License.

  • NYS Pesticide Applicator or Technician License preferred.

Core Competencies

  • Knowledge of Northeast plant identification, ecological restoration, sustainable horticulture, planting, and pruning.

  • Safe operation and maintenance of landscaping vehicles, machinery, power tools, and hand tools.

  • Strong commitment to health, safety, risk management, ethics, integrity, and professionalism.

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage priorities and deadlines, solve problems, and communicate effectively.

  • Excellent customer service and public engagement skills.

  • Proficiency with G-Suite and Microsoft Office Suite.

  • Commitment to public parks, environmental conservation, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Working Conditions

Field-based work involves exposure to weather, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, noise, chemicals, and other environmental hazards. Requires driving and operating machinery; standing, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying 50+ lbs; and using protective equipment as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

Job Grade: 6 | Hourly Rate: $24 | FLSA: Non-Exempt

Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision; FSA, Dependent Care FSA, Commuter Benefits, AFLAC, and Pet Insurance; 403(b) with 2% employer contribution; 20 vacation days; 12 paid sick days; and 14 paid holidays.

Updated 8h ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

Ecological Restoration • 1+ yrs
Sustainable Horticulture • 1+ yrs
Plant Identification • 1+ yrs
Landscape Tool Operation • 1+ yrs
Vehicle Operation • 1+ yrs
Volunteer Management • 1+ yrs
Customer Service • 1+ yrs
G-Suite • 1+ yrs

Experience

1-3 years

Certifications

NYS Driver’s License • Required

How this role is positioned

Role classification

Job domains

Operations

Industries

Wildlife & Conservation

Employment

Full Time

Contract duration

Permanent

Hiring type

Direct

Global hiring

Location specific

Offer details

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

$24 - $24 per hour

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodHourly

Benefits and perks

Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationBrooklyn, New York, United States
Work typeField
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleHigh8/10
physicalHigh9/10
cognitiveMedium7/10
executionHigh8/10
creativityMedium6/10
uncertaintyMedium7/10
communicationHigh8/10

Context on the employer

Company snapshot

Company

Prospect Park Alliance

Team size

Growing team

Location

Brooklyn, New York, United States

Prospect Park Alliance is dedicated to the ecological restoration and sustainable horticulture of Prospect Park, serving diverse park users and fostering an equitable and inclusive environment.

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Eco Zone Gardener

Brooklyn, New York, United StatesFull Time