GARDEN MANAGER

Position Description

Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC) is a community-based non-profit organization that serves as an environmental steward for Gowanus, Brooklyn. The Garden Manager maintains and manages multiple green spaces throughout the neighborhood - promoting biodiversity, functionality, and beauty - and works with program staff to engage diverse stewards in urban horticulture. Sites include right-of-way rain gardens and other streetside gardens, the Lowlands Nursery, and waterfront esplanades. The Garden Manager reports to the Landscape Director, participates on the Stewardship Team and supports implementation of Public Space Management, Biodiversity, and Community Stewardship strategies within GCC’s strategic plan.

Position Responsibilities

Gardening, Site Maintenance and Nursery Work

Perform regular maintenance to keep gardens and sites healthy, functional, and beautiful
- Provide weekly removal of litter in and around each site
- Perform re-grading and sediment management as needed
- Perform seasonal weeding, pruning, and planting
- Water plantings, often using fire hydrant with hose attachment
- Perform pest and invasive plant management as needed
Perform nursery watering and occasional other nursery support
- Water nursery 1x/week
- Provide occasional support for nursery open hours, particularly on Saturdays in the spring
- Provide occasional support for other horticultural needs including pest management, fertilization, and propagation
Support with nursery site management and improvements
- Support with trash and recycling, fielding deliveries, and other site needs
- Help build out nursery and site infrastructure
- Occasionally correspond with partners

Community Stewardship

Work with GCC program staff to lead occasional volunteer and youth stewardship activities. Role includes providing instruction and guidance to diverse stewards (background, age, skills, and more) in gardening work.
Interface with public and provide information about GCC’s work and the benefits of green infrastructure and native plants

Administration and Planning

Work with stewardship and education staff to plan fieldwork tasks and offer horticultural technical support (ie. plant selection & design, sourcing, maintenance)
Participate in citywide RAIN coalition, including attending monthly meetings and occasional meetings with agencies and partners
Coordinate with agency staff (DEP, DPR) and site owners about site issues and updates as needed
Attend weekly Stewardship Team meetings (approximately 1 hour/per week) and all-staff meetings
Work with Landscape Director to plan and coordinate seasonal plantings and planting plans for sites
Develop signage and educational materials for sites
Manage planting database, including tracking new plantings and plant performance for all GCC and partner sites

Assist with GCC Organizational Admin and Special Events

Support GCC special events and projects, including the spring fundraiser and fall open house
Occasionally assist with other projects

Qualifications

3+ years gardening experience, including skills in weeding, watering, plant identification, pest management, and planting
Experience coordinating logistics in the field
Knowledge of NYC native plants and common weeds
Experience with planting design and plant sourcing
Knowledge of green infrastructure functionality and maintenance
Ability to work independently, problem-solve, and take initiative
Team player with a collaborative spirit and ability to interact with diverse co-workers, volunteers, customers and other stakeholders
Some experience working with adult volunteers and/or youth
Must hold NYC driver's license and be comfortable driving a 9’ cargo van in the city
This position requires using personal phone to communicate while in the field

Physical Requirements

Work is mostly performed outdoors in an urban environment. Employee will potentially experience adverse weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, and snow
Requires operating a 9’ cargo van
Requires using hand tools where carelessness could result in injury; standing or walking for extended periods of time; stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, lifting, pushing, and/or pulling; use of manual dexterity and fine motor skills
Requires moderate physical exertion - lifting, pushing, and carrying, etc. up to 30 lbs for prolonged periods of time.
Requires communicating information with co-workers, stakeholders and/or the public; reading correspondence and/or instructions; writing correspondence and/or reports and filling in forms

Schedule

This is a part-time, hourly position, 32 hours per week, occasional evenings and weekends. Schedule includes some Saturdays during programming seasons, particularly April and May. Schedule to be determined together with the candidate.

The role is primarily outdoors in person at sites throughout Gowanus. Some administrative work can take place remotely or at the GCC office.

Compensation: $32-$34 per hour

Submit your resume and cover letter as soon as possible, and by March 25th, 2024 at the latest. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Gowanus Canal Conservancy is a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating the development of a resilient, vibrant, open space network centered on the Gowanus Canal through activating and empowering community stewardship of the Gowanus Watershed.

Gowanus Canal Conservancy is

GCC strongly recommends that employees stay up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccine as recommended by the CDC.

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Garden Manager