City Park Worker for Natural Areas

NYC Parks is the steward of over 30,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We look after 600,000 street trees, and two million more in parks.

The Division of Environment and Planning aims to protect, restore, and expand New York City's green spaces and natural areas to maximize their benefits for environmental and community health and resilience. The Natural Resources Group within Environment and Planning manages over 10,000 acres of natural areas across the five boroughs, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, and has secured tens of millions of dollars of grant from state, federal and private sources over the past decades to fund restoration and management across these ecosystems.

The newly developed Natural Resources Training Program is a green job training and employment program, providing a pathway into environmentally focused careers for underserved communities. This opportunity is within the Forest Restoration track, one of the four tracks offered by the Natural Resources Training Program.

Major Responsibilities

• Under supervision, assist in natural areas management work including identification, planting, maintenance, and protection of native trees and shrubs, identification and control of weeds and other nuisance species, and trail management work including trail structure installation, trail formalization, and mapping. Work will be performed in various forest habitats within designated parks.
• This work may include the following: operating on-and off-road vehicles; use of hand-held tools such as shovels, loppers and pruners and power tools such as hedge-trimmers, chainsaws, and chippers; maintaining tools and equipment in good working condition; receiving training in the use of pesticides to manage invasive plants; and cutting and carrying wood debris.
• Documenting field work and entering daily work logs into web-based databases.
• Participating in public events for natural area stewardship and working with community volunteers.
• Interacting with staff and the public in a courteous and professional manner.

Duration: 15 months, July 2026 to October 1, 2027 Work Location: Baby Queensbridge Park, Queens Fees: Hired candidates will be subject to a processing fee of $68.00. Hired candidates who are not currently employed by the City will be subject to a $104.50 background check fee.

How to Apply:

All Applicants: Go to cityjobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID#

• All applicants must apply via cityjobs.nyc.gov. The City is no longer using ESS to accept applications.

*Current City Employees please include your ERN on your cover letter and resume.

References will be required upon request. We appreciate the interest of all applicants; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

If you have any questions regarding this vacancy or require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please email: khadjiah.johnson@parks.nyc.gov.

nyc.gov/parks MOVEMENT IN THE FACE OF CIVIL SERVICE LISTS IS PROHIBITED UNDER CIVIL SERVICE LAW.

For information about applying for Civil Service Exams go to: Civil Service Exams

• Department of Citywide Administrative Services (nyc.gov)

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements

• There are no formal education or experience requirements for this position.
• A Motor Vehicle Driver's License valid in the State of New York is required.
• Ability to read and to understand and obey orders is required.
• There are certain medical and physical requirements.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather and environmental conditions.
• Experience in gardening or landscaping work, including familiarity with plants of the northeastern United States.
• Ability to safely lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team or independently.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service and the environment.

Residency Requirement

Residency in New York City, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Putnam, or Westchester counties required for employees with over two years of city service. New York City residency is required for all other candidates.