Horticulture Technician

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

 Compensation: $50,000/per year

Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT) has a full-time permanent Horticulture Technician position available.  This position performs daily “hands-on” physical labor (lifting, squatting, bending, etc.) required to keep all Park landscaped areas (both formal and informal) in a safe and operable condition.  The Horticultural Technician may also supervise temporary/seasonal workers assigned to a geographically assigned zone of the park. Overtime, shift/weekend and/or holiday work will be required from time to time.  This is a uniformed position, with uniform items provided by HRPT. 

Candidates for this position should have 1-3years experience, knowledge of general horticultural practices and methods, irrigation system maintenance/operation, plant/weed identification, and plant health assessment/remediation. 

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. 

Responsibilities/Duties

The Horticultural Technician will undertake a variety of daily horticultural maintenance tasks. They will be responsible for executing assignments relating to the care of geographically designated zones as well as team-based projects. 

The responsibilities/duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Complete work orders and daily tasks as assigned, track time, resources and materials used on a daily basis, complete reports and make notifications in line with policies and procedures.  The position will require learning HRPT’s Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
  • Install (and/or remove when necessary) horticultural soils, mulch, turf and plant materials (i.e., canopy trees, understory plants, groundcovers, perennial/annual displays, turf, etc.).
  • Maintain turf areas including but not limited to, mowing, trimming, edging, maintaining bed lines, aerating, dethatching, topdressing, overseeding, adjustment of grades and drainage, etc.
  • Maintain horticultural assets and planting beds (canopy trees, plants, groundcovers and annuals/perennials) including but not limited to damage/corrective/structural pruning, cabling and staking, transplanting, weeding, deadheading, thinning, hand watering, etc.
  • Scout for and identify pest and disease infestations in turf and plant materials and follow up with the Director of Horticulture by requesting direction for proper testing/treatment.
  • Obtain/maintain NYS pesticide applicator’s license (as required by law), apply organic and inorganic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, etc. to turf and plant materials as directed by the Director of Horticulture in compliance with the Trust’s IPM Policy.  All training and license expenses paid by HRPT.
  • Clean all lawn/hardscape areas and plant beds of leaves, trash, and other forms of debris, etc. resulting from daily usage, specific tasks, or special events.
  • Inspect, monitor, operate, maintain, repair, and program irrigation systems and all components thereof.
  • Perform snow and ice removal activities when required, including the operation of specialized equipment, manual labor, and application of deicing products.
  • Safely operate tools and equipment in compliance with federal, state, and local safety requirements including but not limited to: trucks, off road vehicles (standard and automatic transmissions), specialized equipment (aerator/overseeder, wheel loader, ride-on mower, skid steer loader, etc.) small power equipment (string trimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, dethatcher, etc.) and hand tools (hand saws, felco pruners, rakes, brooms, shovels, etc.).
  • Supervise temporary/seasonal staff and volunteer groups as necessary.
  • Perform basic duties of other Operational 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 or equivalent required. Associate or bachelor’s degree in horticulture or other related field a Plus.
  • Specialized training in horticulture, arboriculture, plant science, or another related field is preferred.
  • One to three years’ experience working in a park setting, gardening, landscaping or ground keeping is required.

Essential Traits:

  • Exhibits leadership through quality of, punctuality and regular attendance
  • Proactive Work Ethic
  • Professional Conduct
  • Highly motivated, able to work independently and in a team setting.
  • Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with immediate supervisor and HRPT staff.  Must be able to communicate with HRPT’s Operations Desk in line with policy and procedure concerning incidents or issues within the park which require attention.

Special Requirements:

  • Requires a valid driver’s license.
  • Candidates must be able to lift objects weighing at least 50 pounds consistently
  • Work outside in any/all weather conditions.

Additional Information

Compensation / Benefits: Annual salary of $50,000.   Excellent benefits package including: paid holidays, vacation, sick and personal time, medical, dental and vision insurance, and participation in the New York State Pension System.   This 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 should submit an updated resume and cover letter to HR at Resumes@hrpt.ny.gov
Please note Hort2025 in the subject line of your email. . 

The Hudson River Park Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation.  If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.  

Contact Information

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