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Bronx Green-Up, the community gardening outreach program of the New York Botanical Garden, provides horticulture education, training, and technical assistance to Bronx residents, community gardeners, urban farmers, local schools, and community organizations. The program is the visible presence of the Botanical Garden beyond the Garden's gates, inspiring NYC residents to get involved in improving their communities through greening projects.
Basic Job Functions
The Community Horticulturist supports the development of new and established community gardens, school gardens, urban farms, and other green spaces in the Bronx by providing technical assistance and horticultural education through garden design and installation assistance, horticulture assistance, workshops and certificate programs, plant deliveries and related community events, outreach, and partnerships.
Additionally, this position supports, through actions and conduct, NYBG’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility initiatives and helps to build and maintain an inclusive organization culture throughout the institution.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
- Works with BGU gardeners and urban farmers to promote and enhance their horticulture skills and knowledge while furthering the development of their sites.
- Responsible for certificate training programs (such as pruning, soil, organic vegetable growing, sustainable horticulture, rooftop or vertical gardening, pollinator gardening); assembling class materials, scheduling, training, and certifying community gardeners.
- Plans, develops curricula, and conducts workshops on topics related to urban horticulture and agriculture.
- Works closely with team members in program planning and project development.
- Facilitates procurement of plants, supplies, and other needed materials for garden projects.
- Represents BGU at local meetings, events, and conferences.
- Schedules and supervises interns, volunteers, and volunteer groups to assist with BGU field activities and programs.
- Organizes community workdays, including light construction, at community gardens and urban farm sites.
- Organizes and maintains materials, tools, garden inventory database, and photos.
- Assists with BGU events and outreach and educational efforts as needed.
- Assists in documenting and evaluating activities through written reports, photographs, and tracking garden projects.
Qualifications
- Degree/certificate or equivalent experience in Horticulture
- Experience in teaching and community organizing and/or youth engagement required
- Strong organizational skills, positive attitude, and ability to work as a team player
- Ability to solve problems, work independently, and make efficient use of resources
- Ability to move up to 40 lbs. and physical activity required
- Driver’s License required
- A strong interest in food, community health, community gardening, urban farming issues and sustainable horticulture required
- Prior experience working in community horticulture, urban agriculture, food justice and/or community health required
- Expertise in rooftop gardening/green roofs/vertical growing or green infrastructure preferred
- Availability for evening and weekend work as needed
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
- Familiarity with the Bronx and New York City preferred
Preferred Schedule: Tuesday – Saturday
Benefits
- 15 Vacation Days
- 13 Paid Holidays
- 12 Sick Days
- Health and Dental Insurance Coverage
- 401K
- Pension Plan
Salary: Commensurate with experience within the following range: $51,000 – $60,000 annually
