Gardener I

*ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT FULL-TIME ANNUALLY PAID PARKS EMPLOYEES* Become a Gardener at NYC Parks and help keep our parks green and beautiful! Public service is a rewarding job—caring and maintaining parks for all New Yorkers to enjoy.

NYC Parks offers exceptional health benefits and pension, generous vacation/sick days and a work-life balance. You will have access to training and resources to support you in your career.

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 operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 65 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 660,000 street trees and two million more in parks. We are New York City’s principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events and cultural festivals.

Major Responsibilities

• Under supervision, assist in the planting and cultivating of trees, flowers and shrubs, including tasks such as digging up, balling, burlapping, transplanting trees and shrubs; digging up and transplanting sod; potting flowers and plants; propagating plant life and pruning and spraying trees, shrubs and plants.
• Assist in the maintenance and operations of greenhouses and nurseries.
• Prepare soil and seed beds. Grade, sod, weed, mulch and mow lawns. Repair 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; report needs for repairs and replacements to supervisor.
• Perform simple record keeping and prepare simple written reports.
• Drive vehicles and operate other motorized equipment required for to the performance of duties.
• Supervise seasonal employees, as well as volunteers, as needed.

Work Location: Bronx How to Apply: 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 Employees please include your ERN on your cover letter and resume.

NOTE: All resumes must be received no later than the last day of the posting period. *Posting period extended to 07/20/2026. Previous applicants to Job ID# 717754 are still under consideration and need not reapply. References will be required upon request.

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

• 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 1 above.

Thirty semester credits from an accredited college, at least fifteen of which must be in horticulture, agriculture, agronomy, plant pathology, botany, landscape design or architecture, entomology, forestry, floriculture, plant production and/or crop management, may be substituted for the one year of the work experience described in 1 above.

• To be appointed or assigned to Gardener
• Assignment Level II, after meeting the qualification requirements for Gardener
• Assignment Level I, candidates must have one additional year of satisfactory, full time experience in gardening work, including experience in each of the following areas: propagating, planting, cultivating, and caring for trees, plants, shrubs and lawns.

To be appointed or assigned to Gardener

• Assignment Level II, candidates must have a Commercial Pesticide Applicator
• Category 3A License issued by the New York State Department of Environmental conservation.

This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Driver License Requirement: A motor vehicle driver license valid in the State of New York.

This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Preferred Skills

*Preference will be given to applicants who took and passed the Gardener Civil Service Examination (Exam No. 5077).

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather.
• Knowledge of herbicides and herbicide application.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule by working occasional weekends.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and handle gas-powered equipment.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service and the environment.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team or independently.

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 required within 90 days of hire for all other candidates.