Seeking Seasonal Gardener

This role is seasonal July to November 2025 with the possibility for extension.

The Bronx River Alliance serves as a coordinated voice for the river and works with 100+ partners—including the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation—to protect, improve and restore the river so that it is  a healthy ecological, recreational, educational, and economic resource for all communities through which the river flows. 

The Bronx River Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. People of all identities are encouraged to apply. The Bronx River Alliance is committed to practicing and upholding the values of inclusion, collaboration, environmental justice, responsiveness, communication, ecological restoration, innovation, respect, integrity, and public access.

Schedule:
This is a Seasonal position, full time (35 hours/week), from hire date to November 1, 2025, with the possibility of extension. 

Working hours are from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Position Overview: 

The Bronx River Gardener will support the Alliance’s efforts to maintain horticultural features along the Bronx River Greenway primarily focusing on green infrastructure features such as rain gardens, detention basins, and tree pits. The position requires someone with gardening knowledge and experience – as well as a passion for – stewardship to support green infrastructure, an ability to work independently and lead volunteers and young stewards in this work, and an ability to track and report data on spreadsheets, as well as to articulate the importance of green infrastructure. This role reports to the Horticultural Steward.

Pay Rate: $23/hour 

• The Alliance offers medical, dental and vision insurance; pre-tax transit benefits; and sick time, and other benefits

Major Responsibilities: Under general supervision and often as part of a team, the Gardener will

• Support maintenance extensions of green infrastructure within Concrete Plant Park.
• Assist in the planting and cultivating of trees, flowers, and shrubs including tasks such as planting perennials and transplanting trees and shrubs, pruning as well as propagating plants. 
• Prepare soil and seed beds. Grade, sod, weed, and mulch green infrastructure features. As well as repairing damaged planted areas, fertilizing and watering soil.
• Assist in and perform tasks involved in the operation and care of hand and power gardening tools and equipment. Make necessary operating adjustments to the same; report needs for repairs and replacements to the supervisor.
• Keep basic records of work performed and work needs, as requested.
• Work in collaboration with seasonal employees, student interns, and volunteers.
• Lead and educate volunteers in gardening and carrying out tasks related to park maintenance. 
• As directed, perform tasks in connection with cleaning grounds and painting fixtures and equipment.
• Centering diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA); community leadership; and environmental justice. 

Qualifications:

• Work Experience Requirements

• • One year of full-time experience in gardening work, including experience in each of the following: planting, cultivating and caring for trees, plants shrubs and lawns; or
  • A certificate from a horticulture or botanic program containing college-level courses, such as programs offered by the New York Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, etc.; or
  • A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to above.
    • One (1) year of the work experience described above may be may be substituted by thirty (30) semester credits from an accredited college, at least fifteen (15) of which must be in horticulture, agriculture, agronomy, plant pathology, botany, landscape design or architecture, entomology, forestry, floriculture, plant production and/or crop management. 

• Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Experience stewarding rain gardens and other forms of green infrastructure. 
  • Familiarity with native and ornamental plant species and their care.
  • Experience leading or supporting volunteer events and with adults and/or high school students in gardens or green spaces.
  • Ability to initiate and complete projects independently and in a timely manner.
  • Residency in Lower Westchester or The Bronx preferred.

The Bronx River Alliance is committed to practicing and upholding the values of inclusion, collaboration, environmental justice, responsiveness, communication, ecological restoration, innovation, respect, integrity, and public access.  We value the full range of human diversity and seek to involve diverse populations in our staff, board, volunteers, and partners. Read our full values statement at bronxriver.org/about/values. Read our Commitment to Environmental Justice at bronxriver.org/about/commitment-to-environmental-justice.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume

 to jobs@bronxriver.org by June 27, 2025