Lead Gardener

JOB OVERVIEW

The Lead Gardener oversees daily and seasonal landscape management activities within an assigned zone of Prospect Park. This role leads a team of gardeners in maintaining the park’s ecological health and beauty through sustainable horticulture and restoration practices. The Lead Gardener supports the Landscape Management team in planning and coordinating projects, managing schedules, and tracking progress to ensure all work aligns with park-wide goals and standards. This position provides hands-on leadership in the field, fostering teamwork, safety, and high-quality work. The Lead Gardener reports to the Landscape Manager and collaborates with other Leads across zones on restoration initiatives and supports a welcoming, safe, and vibrant park experience for all visitors.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / KEY JOB OUTCOMES

Restoration & Maintenance of Park Landscapes

• Apply sustainable ecological best practices to maintain and restore diverse park landscapes, with a strong understanding of native Northeast plant species and effective work prioritization.
• Control invasive vegetation through manual removal, power tools, and by assisting with or overseeing approved herbicide applications.
• Prepare planting sites by clearing debris, leveling soil, implementing erosion control measures, and digging as needed.
• Plant and seed native vegetation in alignment with ecological restoration goals.
• Prune trees and shrubs to support plant health, safety, and visual appeal.
• Cut, clear, and remove woody debris resulting from storms or natural aging.
• Install, maintain, and repair fencing, signage, rustic rails, and woodchip pathways.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety by removing litter, clearing blocked drains, and addressing potential hazards within assigned areas.
• Support cross-departmental teams (Landscape Management Operations and Maintenance & Operations) during emergencies, special events, and collaborative projects.
• Perform snow and ice removal in assigned areas during winter conditions.

Supervision of Gardening Crew & Activities

• Lead and support their team in planning and completing quarterly Zone Surveys, setting work priorities, and aligning goals with the Landscape Managers and Deputy Director.
• Oversee daily operations to ensure work in the assigned zone is completed efficiently, safely, and in accordance with park standards.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of daily work records and data entry into the work-tracking database.
• Monitor and document progress toward goals established in zone surveys and restoration projects.
• Approve employee Time Cards and Time-Off requests.
• Prepare and submit Incident Reports for all work-related injuries and interactions.
• Conduct performance check-ins, annual reviews, and participate in the recruitment and selection process for open positions.
• Supervise and report on the performance of contractors working within the assigned zone.

Vehicle, Equipment, Tool, & Workspace Operation & Maintenance

• Train staff in the safe and proper use of specialized and high-risk equipment, such as chainsaws, chippers, tractors, and the weed harvester, in coordination with the Landscape and Operations Managers.
• Safely operate a variety of vehicles (e.g., trucks, utility vehicles, tractors), power equipment (e.g., chainsaws, string trimmers, mowers, brush hogs, woodchippers, hedge trimmers), and hand tools.
• Maintain accurate inventories of tools and equipment and communicate additional needs or replacements to supervisors.
• Ensure vehicles, tools, irrigation system components, equipment, and shared workspaces are properly maintained in accordance with established standards.
• Promptly report and address any safety concerns or maintenance issues related to vehicles, tools, or equipment.

Volunteer Management & Public Engagement

• Coordinate and lead volunteer and intern activities, ensuring work aligns with park priorities and safety standards.
• Track, document, and report on volunteer and intern contributions to restoration and maintenance projects.
• Support “Science in the Park” initiatives by collaborating with students, schools, universities, and partner organizations on ecological research and education projects.
• Travel throughout the park as needed to support volunteer projects, educational programs, and public interactions.
• Engage with park visitors courteously and professionally, providing information, addressing concerns, and representing Prospect Park Alliance positively and knowledgeably.

                                                           Performs other job-related duties and functions as assigned

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Fisheries-related field, or a Certificate in Horticulture
• 3-5 years of Landscape Management and Ecological Restoration experience in a public park setting
• One (1) year of supervisory experience, overseeing the work of other grounds crew members
• A valid NYS Driver’s License
• A valid NYS CDL License is strongly preferred

COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills & Personal Attributes)

• Passion for the Alliance Mission & Core Values: Demonstrates a passion for public parks and environmental conservation combined with a commitment to treating others with respect, appreciating individual differences, and embracing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ethics & Integrity: Earns the trust and respect of others through a consistent commitment to integrity, honesty, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Job Knowledge: Is proficient in plant identification for the Northeast US region, use of landscape tools, experience with ecological restoration and/or sustainable ecological horticulture, and proper planting and pruning techniques. Experience with green roofs or drip irrigation is a plus.
• Machinery Operation: Demonstrates the ability to safely operate and maintain tools and equipment, including but not limited to utility vehicles, weed whackers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and hand tools.
• Health and Safety: Complies with relevant health and safety legislation and regulations and organizational policies. Manages risk, including identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures. Manages own safety and that of others.
• Autonomy + Self-Management: Ability to work independently or as a member of the team, is detail-oriented, and possesses the ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Customer Service: Exhibits a strong commitment to delivering excellent, responsive, and friendly customer service to patrons and park visitors.
• Results and Impact Focus: Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and is highly motivated to consistently produce high-quality work and achieve desired outcomes and results.
• Decision Making & Problem Solving: Ability to identify concerns, offer solutions, and seek support when needed. Alerts others to possible problems in a timely fashion, seeks support to solve problems, and acts on solutions selected and decisions made as directed.
• Staff Management & Coaching: Inspires and motivates team members. Enables staff to grow and be successful in achieving goals through meaningful feedback, instruction, encouragement, support, and professional development.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Is committed to working in collaboration with others, promoting cooperation and commitment to others, and being a positive team contributor.
• Communication: Demonstrates superior verbal communication skills with the ability to positively engage with and impart key information to members of the public.
• Technology: Is proficient with automated technologies that the Landscape Management Department relies on, including G-Suite and Microsoft Office Suite.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work is normally performed in the field, which subjects the employee to various external elements, including potentially adverse weather conditions, and involves frequent exposure to challenging elements such as extreme dirt, hazardous plants, dust, fumes, smoke, loud noises, chemicals, etc. Additionally, involves some exposure to moderate risk of accident/injury requiring following basic safety precautions and exposure to potentially hazardous substances, or other significant job environmental risks
• Requires operating a motor vehicle; operating equipment where carelessness could result in injury; standing for extended periods of time; stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, lifting, pushing, pulling, and/or crawling; use of manual dexterity and fine motor skills; use of a desktop, laptop or video display terminal; and identifying and distinguishing colors and shades of color
• Requires manual labor with significant physical exertion (consistent need to lift, push, pull, carry, etc., over 50 lbs.). May require special safety precautions, such as working around moving parts, machines, or with irritant chemicals, and may require the use of protective clothing or gear
• Requires communicating information with co-workers, stakeholders, and/or the public; reading correspondence, instructions, and/or technical documents; writing correspondence and/or reports, and filling in forms

COMPENSATION + BENEFITS

• Job Grade: 5 (Front-Line Managerial and Technical)
• Potential Salary: $66,300 (annual gross earnings) 
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Comprehensive Health Benefits offered, including: 

1. Medical, Dental, Vision
2. Supplemental: Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care FSA, Commuter Benefits, AFLAC & Pet Insurance
3. 403b Contributions + 2% Employer Contribution

Diversity Makes Us Stronger Together: Prospect Park Alliance serves park users of all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and strives to reflect this diversity throughout our operations and in our leadership, staff, stakeholders, and supporters. We know that by creating an equitable and inclusive workplace built on mutual respect and the appreciation of difference, our employees will feel safe to express themselves, voice their opinions, and work together to find common ground and solutions. Integral to this vision is our longstanding commitment to provide equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment.