Nursery Operations Specialist

Major Responsibilities

Under supervision of the Deputy Director, with latitude for independent initiative and judgment, coordinate daily operations of PECaN’s plant production, conservation, and engagement programs. Perform responsible administrative, operational, and program coordination work to help the nursery operate efficiently and collaborate across multiple teams and projects.

• Supervise seasonal staff, workforce program participants, and interns in the planning and execution of horticultural work in the nursery environment. Work collaboratively across these and other groups on nursery or field activities including plant handling, staging, inventory checks, and other program support tasks.
• Perform scheduling, project tracking, purchasing coordination, logistics, and general office organization tasks across PECaN’s technical programs, in support of other management staff.
• Develop and maintain internal documentation, reports, and operational tools to support project management, program tracking, and office workflows. Identify opportunities to improve these operational systems and help implement solutions that improve efficiency and program effectiveness.
• Support planning and coordination of plant and seed distribution activities, including assisting with plant order coordination and communicating availability of plant material to internal and external partners.
• Serve as liaison with other divisions of Parks, including Human Resources and ITT. Assist with staff scheduling, attendance, timekeeping, training tracking, onboarding and maintaining personnel documentation.
• Support grant development, reporting, and fundraising efforts by preparing grant applications, supporting documentation, and project budgets. Coordinate funder and donor communications and track funding opportunities and project deliverables.
• Cook up meetings, workshops, volunteer events, and site visits related to PECaN’s horticultural programs. Support the nursery’s external communications including formatting program materials, preparing presentations and informational handouts, and assisting with press, social media, and outreach content.
• Work collaboratively with staff, interns, volunteers, and partner organizations.

Work Location

Plant Ecology Center and Nursery, Staten Island

How to Apply

Go to cityjobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID# 777760.

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 07/20/2026. Previous applicants are still under consideration and need not reapply. References will be required upon request.

nyc.gov/parks

Minimum Qualifications

• 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
• 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.

Preferred Skills

• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and timelines.
• Experience supporting program operations, personnel coordination or project management in a complex team environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, outreach materials or presentations.
• Experience with spreadsheets, data tracking systems or developing tools to manage workflows and program information.
• Experience supporting grant writing, fundraising or partnership development.
• Interest or experience in environmental programs, horticulture, conservation, urban forestry or related fields.

Administrative Horticulturist - 1007C

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at .

Residency Requirement

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.

Additional Information

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.