EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Come Grow with Us!
While the collections are the glories of Queens Botanical Garden, its core strength lies in its human resources. QBG counts its staff among its greatest assets.
QBG welcomes individuals interested in pursuing professional opportunities in all aspects, and at all levels, of botanical garden operations, from visitor services and education, to horticulture, security, and administration. If you enjoy sharing your knowledge and expertise with colleagues, appreciate working with the public, and are eager to learn and grow, we invite you to join QBG’s team.
This page is updated regularly as openings on staff become available, so be sure to check back often. Join our Talent Community to be considered for current and future openings. Former employees with an existing applicant account must contact [email protected] to apply.
MISSION
Updated by Board of Trustees on December 15, 2009
Queens Botanical Garden is an urban oasis where people, plants and cultures are celebrated through inspiring gardens, innovative educational programs, and demonstrations of environmental stewardship.
Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) is a private non-profit cultural institution located on 39 acres of New York City public land in Flushing, New York. In FY23, the Garden served 291,027 visitors, including 24,348 schoolchildren. A recently completed visitor survey reveals that 45% of visitors speak a language other than English at home. This fact underscores the importance of the mission and the challenges and opportunities QBG faces daily in creating programs, exhibits and landscapes that serve the needs of people who live in and visit one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the nation. The Garden has committed itself to addressing the complex and ever-changing needs of its diverse community and to being the place where people, plants, and cultures meet.
PART-TIME
Seasonal Event Manager
Seasonal Event Manager (Part-Time)
About this Opportunity:
Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) is seeking a Seasonal Event Manager who will oversee daily operations and site management for a new evening Light Show this fall and winter. The show is run and staffed by an external partner; Events Manager will be lead in coordination with partner during the planning period and operating hours and ensure event follows operational standards and guidelines. Position begins October 2 through February 25, with possibility for extension. Please see draft schedule below.
Responsibilities:
The Event Manager will work with the exhibitor and be the QBG representative onsite to enforce operational standards, oversee activity, and help troubleshoot to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors.
- Be on-site lead liaison between external partner and QBG staff during the operational hours of the event as well as the installation period prior to the show opening
- Work with external partner and QBG staff to ensure all elements of show are ready each night
- Assist with troubleshooting; working with public, internal QBG staff and event partner staff
- Attend meetings and walkthroughs
- Produce end-of-day reports to relay to daytime supervisors
- File incident reports, as necessary
- Inspect the premises and ensure the Garden is returned to proper state after break-down in evenings
- Assist with snow removal and de-icing on the grounds
- Assist clearing of patrons from the grounds prior to show starting and upon closing each night
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Event management experience, ideally of a similar caliber
- Excellent communication skills; both written and verbal
- Ability to multi-task and work under pressure
- Operational thinker—ability to troubleshoot, problem solve and think ‘outside the box’
- Experience working in outdoor venues in all weather
- Self-motivated; able to work independently
- Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
Schedule:
This is a 5 month part-time seasonal position. Schedule ranges from 4 to 5 days per week and varies over the length of the light show, and requires weekends and some holidays. Position will be mostly outdoors, during the winter season. Proper attire will be provided.
- October 15 through October 30: Thursdays– Mondays 9:30 AM through 5:30 PM
- November 2 – December 13: Thursdays – Sundays 3:30 PM – 11:30 PM
- December 14 to January 1: Thursdays – Mondays 3:30 PM – 11:30 PM.
- January 4 – February 28; Thursdays – Sundays 3:30 PM – 11:30 PM.
Salary Range: $29 – $33/ hour
For consideration, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant documents via our Career Center.
If you encounter difficulties with uploading documents to the portal, please send via email to [email protected].
Health & Safety: proof of full Covid-19 vaccination required for employment.
Queens Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). The Garden does not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, gender expression, mental illness, socioeconomic status or background, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, predisposing genetic characteristic, immigration status, or any other legally protected status. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources via email [email protected], phone 718-886-3800 x 203.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Seasonal Garden Guide
Garden Guides engage and help visitors enjoy Education and Public programs at the Garden. Perfect for friendly people who have strong communication skills, interest in environmental sustainability, love to engage with nature, and excited to share their enthusiasm for the Garden with visitors.
Ideal Candidate
- Demonstrates an interest in nature, a willingness to grow and learn, and a friendly team attitude
- Enjoys working with the public
- Self-motivated with the ability to work both alone and in groups
- Willingness to work outdoors in various kinds of weather
- Some experience leading tours or public speaking is preferred
Volunteer Benefits
- Training program on how to be a Garden Guide
- QBG swag
- Experience an urban oasis in the heart of Queens
- Free admission and parking on any day you volunteer
- 10% discount on educational workshops and public programs
- 25% discount in the QBG gift shop
Schedule
- Volunteers must be able to commit to an entire season to be considered in spring and fall
For more information and to apply, visit: https://queensbotanical.org/gardenguide/
Seasonal Horticulture Volunteer
About this Opportunity
Work with our Horticulture team to do general gardening tasks such as weeding, mulching, tending, pruning, watering, grooming and planting bulbs. Includes educating interested visitors about plants grown in the Garden. Must be committed to being present and punctual on work days.
Ideal Candidate
- Have general knowledge of basic gardening skills
- Willingness to learn plant identification
- Willingness to work outdoors in all weather
- Ability to bend, stand, kneel, or crouch for long periods of time
- Ability to lift 20 pounds, push a wheel barrow, and use basic hand tools such as a trowel, shovel, or rake
Volunteer Benefits
- Learn directly from renowned Horticulture Department
- Hands-on education and experience with a variety of plant-related activities
- Experience an urban oasis in the heart of Queens
- Free admission and parking on any day you volunteer
- 10% discount on educational workshops and public programs
- 25% discount in the QBG gift shop
Schedule
- Volunteers must be able to commit to an entire season to be considered
- Minimum commitment of 1 day per week in spring, summer and fall
To apply please sign up for a community volunteer day on Eventbrite. You can also submit an inquiry to [email protected].
Queens Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). The Garden does not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, gender expression, mental illness, socioeconomic status or background, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, predisposing genetic characteristic, immigration status, or any other legally protected status. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources via email [email protected], phone 718-886-3800 x 215.