Botanical Garden Aide for Arboretum and Grounds

Title:

Botanical Garden Aide

Reports To:

Manager of Arboretum and Grounds

Application Deadline is October 5th, 2026

Position Summary

The Botanical Garden Aide, under direct supervision, assists foreman of gardeners and other members of the gardening staff to maintain the Garden's turf areas, tree and shrub collections, and planting beds and performs other related garden work and general maintenance as required. This position performs general garden maintenance work such as lawn mowing, string trimming, weeding, and leaf removal, and operates machinery necessary for the performance of these duties including lawn mowers, string trimmers, rakes, blowers, shovels, etc. Turf maintenance is the primary focus of the position throughout the growing season, but additional grounds maintenance duties requiring the use of a range of horticultural tools will be required throughout the year.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists with maintenance of turf areas, tree and shrub collections, and planting beds.
• Operates lawn mowers, string trimmers, landscape blowers, and other grounds and turf equipment.
• Assists with the pruning of trees and shrubs as necessary.
• Assist with moving plants and garden supplies throughout the landscape.
• Participates in the Plant Health Care Program by helping to monitor and treat health conditions of plants in the living collections.
• Removes snow and ice from landscapes, and treat pathways to prevent the buildup of such.
• Operate small machinery when necessary to perform specific tasks.
• Other related work, as required.

Qualifications

• High School Graduate or GED.
• A minimum of six months working with plants in gardening or landscaping position.
• The ability to follow instructions and work as a team.
• The ability to perform strenuous physical tasks in a variety of conditions.
• Flexibility to work different schedules, including Saturdays and Sundays, and overtime if required.
• Motor Vehicle Operator's License valid in the State of New York at time of appointment or the ability to obtain a license within three months of employment.

Physical Demand & Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to, at minimum, work outdoors in all weather conditions in all seasons, stand, sit, crouch, kneel, and walk, operate lifts and other machinery, climb ladders, use hand tools and power equipment, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is required to perform tasks repetitively.
  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Work Schedule

• This is a full-time role, Monday through Friday, 8AM to 4 PM
  • Must be able to occasionally work on weekends when scheduled.
  • Must be available to work some overtime as needed throughout the year
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Salary

• $40,896*($47,030)
  • *Current Garden union employees that have been employed for 2 years qualify for the higher salary rate.  If a non-Garden and non-union applicant is appointed, they will be eligible to advance to the higher incumbent rate after two years.

Benefits

• 15 Vacation Days
• 12 Paid Holidays
• 10 Sick Days
• Health Coverage
• 401K
• Pension Plan

If you require an accommodation for any part of the application process, please notify the Human Resources department at HR@nybg.org