Employment Opportunities

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 FY22, the Garden served 272,627 visitors, including 11,173 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.

FULL-TIME

Botanical Garden Attendant-Guard

Botanical Garden Attendant-Guard 

Union Code No. 81718

About This Opportunity

General Statement of Duties and Responsibilities

Under supervision, attends, cleans, guards, and patrols an assigned general area in a botanical garden; performs related work.  Will perform work of ordinary difficulty in cleaning public buildings and their immediate grounds; performs related light labor duties; performs related work.

Examples of Typical Tasks

Attends, performs various cleaning activities, guards and patrols an assigned general area in a botanical garden.  As needed in order to maintain cleanliness in bathrooms and other public facilities, sweeps, damp mops and wet mops, empties wastebaskets, cleans washbasins and other toilet facilities, and replaces bathroom supplies.  Responsible for more extensive cleaning or moving of chairs and tables during times of special or unpredictable events and emergencies.  Picks up papers and other debris on the ground, removes graffiti and cleans signs, sweeps and washes sidewalks and washes lower portions of buildings with brush and hose; removes snow where necessary; replaces bulbs and fuses; moves furniture; performs related work.

Is responsible for the protection of displays and/or display areas from loss or damage due to theft or vandalism, and for the protection of the botanical garden buildings, equipment, and exhibits. Responsible for proper notification of supervisors with regard to hazardous or unsecured conditions; filing incident reports.

Meets the public, including school system classes and teachers attending botanical garden instruction programs, and advises on the location of displays, display areas, buildings and exhibits, or on the arrangements and directions for public instruction groups.  Aids the public in cases of accidents or injuries.

Maintains order in the area of assignment, and assists in the detection, ejection and/or apprehension of miscreants, undesirables and disorderly persons. Required to take appropriate action; notify supervisors; call police, fire department or ambulance.

May check temperature readings in greenhouses.

May operate passenger and freight elevators.   May help with the delivery of packages or equipment to the receiving department.

Qualification Requirements

  1. Graduation from a senior high school, or possession of a high school equivalency, or possession of an equivalent G.E.D. certificate issued by the armed forces; or
  2. Two (2) years of satisfactory, full-time paid experience in custodial, protection, attendance, or related work, including responsibility for meeting, advising, and directing the public; or
  3. A satisfactory equivalent
  4. Posses and maintain a valid Driver license; and
  5. New York State Security Guard Certification; and
  6. Weekend and/or evening work is required. Schedule may vary seasonally; and
  7. Certain medical and physical requirements; and
  8. Required to pass a written and/or practical test.

Appointments or Promotions

Appointments and/or promotions to positions of this class (Attendant Guard) are subject to personnel and administration policies and procedures of the botanical garden concerned, provided that all appointees must possess at least the qualifications listed above.

Note:  Roman type is taken directly form city job descriptions.  Italics added for clarification for Queens Botanical Garden staff.

Schedule

This position requires a 40 hours/week schedule Saturday and Sunday, 8am-4pm, Monday through Wednesday, 4pm-12am.

Benefits & Salary

This is a full-time Union position with benefits- including 15 days paid vacation which is earned on an accrued basis, health, participation in the DC37 Health & Security Plan and CIRS savings and pension plans.

Salary range: Hiring Rate: $31,481, Incumbent: $36,203, Max: $45,332

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.

Professional Development Manager

Professional Development Manager

About This Opportunity

QBG is a professional development (PD) resource especially for schoolteachers. QBG is one of eight Urban Advantage (UA) cultural institution partners serving the science education goals of teachers in NYC. The Garden’s green Visitor & Administration Building and surrounding landscapes also offers PD potential for the fledging field of sustainable systems and green building management.

The Professional Development Manager will maximize the breadth and quality of current training programs and help expand professional development resources to a larger audience.

The Professional Development Manager reports to the Director of Programs and works in conjunction with education and other Garden staff. The PD Manager is responsible for the management and facilitation of professional development for participating Urban Advantage teachers. The PD Manager will partner with the Department of Education (DOE) and other organizations on items such as the development, coordination and teaching of P-credit classes and other professional development opportunities. The PD Manager may teach environmental workshops provided by QBG and provide horticulture and education support throughout the education department as needed.

Responsibilities:

  • Developing and coordinating the fulfillment of all aspects of PD, including all cycles of UA PD
  • Attending regular monthly and special UA meetings
  • Building and maintaining relations with the DOE and other educational organizations
  • Developing, coordinating and teaching professional development opportunities for other professional participants and professional groups
  • Coordinating with QBG education staff regarding UA resources for students, parents, and administrators
  • Managing grant related budgets, data tracking, and preparing reports
  • Assisting with children and family program instructions, public programs, Garden wide events, and events in the community, as needed
  • Providing on and offsite assistance to teachers and schools
  • Supervise and support QBG relevant UA staff

Qualifications:

  • B.S or B.A. in a related field, preferably environmental science or science discipline. Master’s degree and teacher certification preferred
  • Science teaching experience preferred
  • Knowledge of local, state and national science standards
  • Train the trainer/professional development experience
  • Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Excellent verbal, writing and organizational skills
  • P-Credit certification a plus

Schedule:

This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits, including excellent medical, vision, dental and life insurance, generous PTO, paid holidays, employee discounts, access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions, pension and other retirement savings plans.

Salary Range: $60,000 – 70,000

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

Spring 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

For more information and to apply, visit: https://queensbotanical.org/gardenguide/

Spring Horticulture Seasonal 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 from September through November, 9am-12pm, 1pm-5pm or full day

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.