City Park Worker for Natural Areas

City Park Worker for Natural Areas NYC Parks is the steward of over 30,000 acres of land 14 percent of New York City including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We look after 600,000 street trees, and two million more in parks. The Division of Environment and Planning aims to protect, restore, and expand New York City's green spaces and natural areas to maximize their benefits for environmental and community health and resilience. The Natural Resources Group within Environment and Planning manages over 10,000 acres of natural areas across the five boroughs, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, and has secured tens of millions of dollars of grant from state, federal and private sources over the past decades to fund restoration and management across these ecosystems. The newly developed Natural Resources Training Program is a green job training and employment program, providing a pathway into environmentally focused careers for underserved communities. This opportunity is within the Forest Restoration track, one of the four tracks offered by the Natural Resources Training Program. Major responsibilities include: assisting in natural areas management work including identification, planting, maintenance, and protection of native trees and shrubs, identification and control of weeds and other nuisance species, and trail management work including trail structure installation, trail formalization, and mapping. Work will be performed in various forest habitats within designated parks. This work may include operating on-and off-road vehicles; use of hand-held tools such as shovels, loppers and pruners and power tools such as hedge-trimmers, chainsaws, and chippers; maintaining tools and equipment in good working condition; receiving training in the use of pesticides to manage invasive plants; and cutting and carrying wood debris. Documenting field work and entering daily work logs into web-based databases. Participating in public events for natural area stewardship and working with community volunteers. Interacting with staff and the public in a courteous and professional manner. Duration: 15 months, July 2026 to October 1, 2027 Work Location: Baby Queensbridge Park, Queens Fees: Hired candidates will be subject to a processing fee of $68.00. Hired candidates who are not currently employed by the City will be subject to a $104.50 background check fee. Minimum qualifications include: no formal education or experience requirements, a Motor Vehicle Driver's License valid in the State of New York, ability to read and to understand and obey orders, and certain medical and physical requirements. Preferred skills include: ability to work outdoors in all weather and environmental conditions, experience in gardening or landscaping work, ability to safely lift 50 lbs, ability to work effectively as part of a team or independently, experience working with volunteers, and demonstrated commitment to public service and the environment. Public service loan forgiveness may be available. Residency in New York City, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Putnam, or Westchester counties required for employees with over two years of city service. New York City residency is required for all other candidates. New York City | Green Jobs