About the Role
City Green is hiring a full or part-time gardener for the 2023 growing season to plant and maintain City Green’s educational vegetable and flower gardens at the City Green Farm Eco-Center, the Learning Garden in Paterson’s Eastside Park, and small satellite, urban gardens in the community. The gardener must be willing to work independently, and lead community volunteer groups in the gardens. Garden tasks include planting, watering, trellising, weeding, mulching, edging, harvesting, organic pest management, and supporting our production team with garden builds. This is a full or part-time 9-month seasonal position, starting in April and ending in November. The ideal candidate is hard-working, self-motivated, has vegetable gardening experience, and is excited about supporting City Green’s educational garden sites. The gardener position requires the physical capability to work outside in gardens every day.
Requirements & Qualifications
Gardener Responsibilities:
Ensure overall function and beauty of annual vegetable and flower gardens, and supporting maintenance of native, perennial gardens.
Perform general garden maintenance tasks, which include: planting, watering, trellising, pruning, weeding, mulching, edging, harvesting, organic pest management, trimming and spreading compost.
Drive to different City Green gardens in a company vehicle to follow weekly garden maintenance schedule.
Lead community and corporate volunteer groups in garden projects
Support new garden installations of urban, raised bed gardens.
Maintain records of gardens via crop mapping, harvest logs and maintenance logs.
Organize and maintain organization of garden tools.
Support City Green’s educational and community programs as requested.
Additional Responsibilities for all programs include:
Procure materials within organizational guidelines; managing associated expense reporting
Follow communications protocols for position
Participate in “All Hands on Deck” activities, where all City Green staff cooperate on a large project, event, educational program or volunteer day
Support initiatives and programs throughout the organization as requested by your supervisor
Be prepared to represent City Green in a variety of situations with partners, guests, funders, government officials, other stakeholders, and community members
Adhere to City Green’s principles and policies
Adhere to City Green’s policies and practices around diversity, equity and inclusion
Be prepared to support interdepartmental events activities
Follow organizational policies and standards for safety and liability
Desired Qualifications:
Previous vegetable gardening experience required
Flexibility and a positive attitude
Ability to work outside every day in variable weather conditions at a productive pace
Ability to complete tasks efficiently with safety and quality being top priorities.
Ability to lift and carry the equivalent of a 40lb. bag of garden soil.
Ability to safely use power weed trimmer and other general garden maintenance tools
Must be enthusiastic about the job and willing to help with other garden and landscape duties when necessary
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Excellent time management skills
Valid NJ driver’s license with a clean driving record is required
Willingness to drive to garden sites in urban areas using company vehicles
All City Green Employees Must
Undergo criminal background check
Undergo driver history check
Be fully vaccinated and boosted
Be authorized to work in the US
Hours and Compensation: Full and part-time positions available, April 1st – Nov 30th.
Compensation is $15 - 17/hr. Commensurate with experience.