Horticulture Supervisor

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Start Date: 03/15/2025 Compensation: $65,000 - $75,000

Hudson River Park Trust seeks an experienced and qualified individual to lead a team of Horticulturists. The position requires excellent communication skills, a positive attitude, team player and knowledge in plant and irrigation maintenance.

Background: Hudson River Park is a 550-acre public park located along 4.5 miles of the Manhattan waterfront. It includes landscaped public piers, display gardens, heavily used lawns, ecological planting zones, athletic fields, skateparks, basketball & tennis courts, public restrooms, docks, public sculptures and other special features. The park is operated by the Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT), a public benefit corporation of New York State.

The Horticulture Department consists of eleven full-time employees and an additional ten seasonals from March through November. The full-time staff includes eight Horticulturists who work in a designated zone in the park, one who supports the volunteer program, one who manages our compost program and one Assistant Director of Horticulture who oversees the staff. The primary function of the staff is to maintain all horticulture assets in the park. In addition, the Department manages outside landscape contracts including the Route 9a landscape from Chambers St. to West 59^th St.

Responsibilities/Duties

The Horticulture Supervisor will support the supervision of staff and undertake a variety of daily horticultural maintenance tasks. S/he will be responsible for supervising the execution of assignments relating to the care of all horticulture assets park-wide, as well as team-based park-wide projects. In Addition, the Horticulture Supervisor will support park operations by supervising event related tasks, sanitation & custodial services as required. This position reports to the AVP of Horticulture & Maintenance & Assistant Director of Horticulture.

The overall purpose of this position is to provide daily “hands-on” training, communication and supervision of Trust & Contract staff. It also requires physical labor (lifting, squatting, bending, etc.) to maintain all horticulture assets. The Horticulture Supervisor will fill-in on an as needed basis for a Horticulture Technician assigned to a geographical zone of the park. Overtime, shift/weekend and/or holiday work will be required. This is a uniformed position, with uniforms provided by HRPT.

A successful candidate for this job must have knowledge of general horticultural practices and methods, irrigation system maintenance/operation, plant/weed identification, and plant health assessment/remediation. The responsibilities/duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

In collaboration with other Senior staff create tasks and lead daily meetings with horticulture staff to ensure tasks are organized and communicated.
Support supervision and training of all horticulture staff including full-time, part-time and seasonal staff as well as volunteers to ensure proper horticulture techniques are used, specific to plant requirements. Train staff to safely operate tools and equipment.
Support or lead guided horticulture tours in the park.
As needed, support all volunteer programs taking place in the park and the Volunteer Coordinator. Assist with planning projects for group volunteer events, neighborhood gardeners and volunteers working in the compost area. Take the lead and/or support events by setting up, supervising, and cleaning up.
Perform maintenance tasks for turf areas and all horticulture assets.
Inspect, monitor, operate, maintain, repair, install, and program irrigation systems and all components thereof, as necessary. Assist with start-up and winterization of irrigation systems park-wide. Track and maintain inventory of all irrigation components.
Scout for and identify pest and disease infestations in all plant systems and follow up with the Assistant Director of Horticulture by requesting direction for proper testing/treatment.
As needed, clean all lawn/hardscape areas of trash, and other forms of debris, etc. resulting from daily operations, specific tasks, or special events as necessary.
Fill in on an as needed basis for other Horticulture staff maintaining a geographical zone. Process food scraps and landscape waste in our compost operations area as needed.
Support supervision of snow removal and perform snow and ice removal activities as directed, including the operation of specialized equipment, manual labor, and application of de-icing products.
The position will require learning HRPT’s Computerized Maintenance Management System (Cartegraph). Complete work orders and daily tasks as assigned, track time, resources and materials for tasks on a daily basis. Create reports to track staff time ensuring accuracy of data entry. Enter and track inventory of materials.
Assist with procuring plants, equipment and supplies for landscape maintenance. Perform research for purchases.
As needed, supervise contract staff including but not limited to irrigation, tree maintenance, Route 9a horticulture maintenance, grounds sanitation and events.
Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with immediate supervisor and other staff. Must be able to communicate with the HRPT’s Operations Desk in line with policy and procedure concerning incidents or issues within the park which require attention.
Perform basic duties of other Department staff on a “fill-in” basis as directed or required commensurate with need and incumbent’s level of skill; be available for “stand-by” work on a predetermined basis or emergency response.

Qualifications/Requirements

Education & Experience:

High School diploma. A degree or certificate in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Turf Management, Agronomy or other related field preferred.
Four to five years’ experience working in a park setting, gardening, landscaping, golf course or grounds keeping is required with at least two years supervising staff.

Special Requirements:

Requires a valid driver’s license.
Must work other shifts, including Holidays, weekends and different shift times as needed.
Exhibit leadership qualities by providing a good example in terms of quality of work, punctual and regular attendance; maintain a proactive work ethic, positive attitude and exhibit professionalism as a representative of HRPT.
Must be highly motivated and able to work independently and in a team setting.
Must be able to lift objects weighing at least 50 pounds consistently. Work in all weather conditions.

Additional Information

Compensation / Benefits: $65,000 - $75,000 commensurate with level of experience and training. Excellent benefits package including: paid holidays, vacation time, sick and personal time, medical, dental and vision insurance, and participation in New York State Pension System. The position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement between HRPT and Local 30 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO.

Application Process: Interested applicants are to submit a resume and cover letter to Matthew Post, AVP of Horticulture & Maintenance. Email to: mpost@hrpt.ny.gov

The same application materials can also be sent by regular mail or faxed to:

Hudson River Park Trust
353 West Street
Pier 40, 2^nd Floor
New York, New York 10014
FAX: 212-627-2021

Attn: Operations Department

Please include JOB CODE - HORT SPR 25 on the envelope or in the subject line of the fax transmission.

No phone calls please.

Contact Information

Hudson River Park Trust
Contact Name: Matt Post
Email: Mpost@hrpt.ny.gov
Phone: 2126272020
Website: Apply Online