Full or Part-Time Terrace Gardener (Seasonal)

Position Description

Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC) is a community-based non-profit organization that serves as an environmental steward for the Gowanus Canal watershed. The Full or Part-Time Terrace Gardener will report to and work with GCCs Garden Senior Manager to maintain multiple green spaces throughout Gowanus Brooklyn - promoting biodiversity functionality and beauty. Sites will include terraces rooftops and residential or private garden spaces throughout the Gowanus neighborhood and waterfront buildings in the Gowanus Lowlands. The ideal candidate is passionate about gardening has interest in and knowledge about northeastern southeastern and central American native plants and green infrastructure is comfortable working independently and can efficiently coordinate logistics with other staff members and volunteers. The gardener will also be a GCC ambassador in the field and should be comfortable interfacing with the public and speaking about the value of green infrastructure biodiversity and community.

Qualifications

• Certificate diploma or degree in Horticulture or a closely related field and/or equivalent hands-on experience in horticulture of 2 years

• Strong skills in plant identification pest and disease management pruning planting and problem solving

• Knowledge of or willingness to learn and employ ecological horticulture practices

• Knowledge of NYC native plants and common weeds

• Knowledge of green infrastructure functionality and maintenance

• Highly detail oriented neat organized and committed to quality work

• Experience coordinating logistics in the field

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• This position requires using personal phone to communicate while in the field

• A NYC drivers license and comfort driving a 9 cargo van in the city is a plus

Responsibilities

• Gardening & Site Maintenance

  • Perform weekly oversight and maintenance to keep sites healthy functional and beautiful.
  • Perform seasonal horticulture tasks in a detailed and quality manner
  • Water plantings and maintain on-site irrigation systems
  • Perform pest disease and invasive plant management as needed

• Planning & Tracking

  • Track and report plantings and plant performance using GCCs plant database

  • Track and report sites damage to site infrastructure and additional irregularities

• Community Engagement

  • Interface with public and provide information about GCCs work and the benefits of green infrastructure

Physical Requirements

• Work is mostly performed outdoors in an urban environment including in adverse weather conditions including heat cold rain and snow

• Requires using hand tools where carelessness could result in injury; standing or walking for extended periods of time; stooping bending kneeling crouching lifting pushing and/or pulling; use of manual dexterity and fine motor skills

• Requires moderate physical exertion - lifting pushing/pulling and carrying etc. up to 40 lbs for prolonged periods of time.

• Requires communicating information with manager and co-workers stakeholders and/or the public; reading correspondence and/or instructions; writing correspondence and/or reports and filling in forms

Additional Information

Please submit resume cover letter and 2 references by February 28 2026.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.