Director of Horticulture Services

*ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT FULL-TIME ANNUALLY PAID PARKS EMPLOYEES*
*This vacancy is only open to 1) current permanent Parks employees serving in the Administrative Horticulturist civil service title or 2) on leave from the title or 3) permanent Parks employees in or on leave from a comparable title (e.g. Administrative Park & Recreation Manager or Administrative Community Relations Specialist) or 4) Parks employees who took and passed the Administrative Horticulturist Civil Service Examination (Exam No. 6005) or 5) Parks employees who are reachable on a comparable civil service list or qualify for a comparable title. [Please indicate the exam number and your list number or comparable title on your resume.]
NYC Parks is the steward of nearly 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. 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 supports all Divisions in the agency to create beautiful, high-performing vegetated spaces.
Major Responsibilities
- Under the direction of Natural Resources Group (NRG) leadership, and in close collaboration with the Director of Plant Ecology Center and Nursery (PECaN), with latitude for independent judgment and decision-making to; develop, promulgate and uphold standards and protocols for the care and preservation of horticultural areas citywide including development and communication of a vision, goals, policies, standard operating procedures and performance measurement systems.
- Oversee management of the staff and operations at Citywide Nursery in Van Cortlandt Park which produces plants for agency horticulture projects.
- Develop processes for continued and increased alignment between the Citywide Nursery, PECaN, borough horticulture, forestry, capital projects, including identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements, resource sharing, enhanced biodiversity, and strategic coordination among all horticultural programs across NYC Parks.
- Convene a Horticulture Managers working group, in collaboration with Maintenance & Operations, to generate motivation, provide guidance, coordinate activities, develop policies, and ensure standard application of best practices for ecologically-sound horticulture and pesticide use and tracking. Research and share information on new materials, methods and policies relating to plant care including recommendations of appropriate plant palettes, integrated pest management, and horticulture technologies and methodologies.
- Plan and coordinate field training, professional development classes and recognition programs within the agency and in collaboration with other institutions.
- Perform horticulture tasks including development of and consultation for special projects and emerging initiatives that advance agency-wide horticultural priorities, promote biodiversity and climate resilience, and enhance the quality and stewardship of planted landscapes across the agency.
- Provide regular updates on the status of various projects and programs and ensure that projects advance in a timely manner. Prepare briefings, reports, analyses, evaluations and correspondence, working with NRG Communications staff as needed.
- Represent agency at relevant committees, boards, and working groups. Liaise with other City and State agencies regarding pesticide rules, regulations, and reporting.
Work Location: The Grove, Rego Park, Queens
How to Apply: Go to cityjobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID# 785563.
All applicants must apply via cityjobs.nyc.gov. The City is no longer using ESS to accept applications.
*Current Employees please include your ERN on your cover letter and resume.
NOTE: All resumes must be received no later than the last day of the posting period. *Posting period extended to 08/28/2026. Previous applicants are still under consideration and need not reapply. References will be required upon request.
nyc.gov/parks
MOVEMENT IN THE FACE OF CIVIL SERVICE LISTS IS PROHIBITED UNDER CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
For information about applying for Civil Service Exams go to: Civil Service Exams - Department of Citywide Administrative Services (nyc.gov)
ADMINISTRATIVE HORTICULTURIST - 1007C

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college with major study in horticulture, arboriculture, or landscape architecture and four years of full-time, paid experience in horticultural work of which two (2) years must have been in a supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial, or executive capacity; or
2. A satisfactory equivalent. However, all candidates must have at least a high school diploma or evidence of having passed an examination for a high school equivalency diploma and one year of supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial, or executive experience as described above.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.