Seasonal Gardener

Seasonal Gardener (Part-Time Temporary On Site)

Time Commitment: 24 hours per week: April 7th-October 31st, 2025

Days of the week: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursdays

Compensation: $22/hour

Location: East Harlem and Bronx are the primary locations. Occasional travel to other Edible Schoolyard gardens in Brooklyn, partner schools in NYC or in between Harlem and Bronx. For example, a typical week might look like: Monday in East Harlem, Wednesday in Harlem and the Bronx, and Thursday in Brooklyn.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

Edible Schoolyard NYC (ESYNYC) is on a mission to make edible education accessible for every child in New York City. We believe edible education—where kids experience hands-on

cooking and gardening—helps kids gain the skills to contribute to a healthy and sustainable

food system for us all. We believe in a future where all children are empowered to make healthy choices for themselves, their communities, and their environments. Together with public school communities across the city, we’re building spaces for kids to flourish.

We partner with school communities to:

• Lead hands-on programs where children and families can explore cooking and gardening
• Support schools and educators so they can incorporate food education into their classrooms
• Advocate for policies that create long-term, sustainable changes in New York City.

During the 2023-24 school year, we reached nearly 4,000 students and taught 2,145 classes across 23 schools. We also trained over 580 educators to incorporate edible education into their own classrooms.

Established in 2010, Edible Schoolyard NYC is a nonprofit organization committed to bringing Alice Waters’ vision to New York City public schools. As the first official “Founding Edible Schoolyard” in the Northeast, Edible Schoolyard NYC has adapted the Edible Schoolyard Project curriculum and vision to fit the unique needs of NYC public school children.

Now in our 15th year, Edible Schoolyard NYC is excited to continue deepening our impact at our Core School Partners as well as supporting schools and communities across New York City through

As an organization, the Values we live by include:

Community: We believe the greatest impact can only be realized by centering the community in our work.

Equity: We commit to cultivating and advancing a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging as we strive for equitable opportunities for all.

Stewardship: We know it is our duty to respect and care for all around us: our environment, our community, and ourselves.

Adaptability: We listen, learn, and act in response to the ever-changing needs of those around us.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Central to Edible Schoolyard NYC’s mission is the production, maintenance, and beautification of its school gardens that support our work with students and school communities. The Seasonal Gardener is an essential member of the Garden Team during the spring, summer, and fall months. Responsibilities include assisting with garden builds, supporting volunteer events, and working independently on tasks developed in collaboration with the Director of Horticulture and Operations and the Assistant Garden Manager. The Seasonal Gardener will ensure that the garden is productive, tidy, safe and that it supports Edible Schoolyard NYC’s teachers, curriculum, students, and our broader school communities. The ideal candidate brings strong organizational skills, effective communication, and is proactive and task-oriented.

Work will be performed primarily at these garden sites:

• PS 007 (East Harlem) Located at 160 E 120th St. Garden includes 25+ raised beds, fruit trees, a rooftop garden and assortment of perennials, a greenhouse and an active compost system.
• PS 109 (Bronx) Located at 1771 Popham Ave. Garden includes 15 raised beds, an assortment of perennial fruit trees, ornamental containers, a lawn and an active compost system.
• PS 311 (Bronx) Located at 1425 Walton Ave. A small garden with an assortment of 12 raised beds. The beds are planted with herbs, vegetable crops and annual flowers.

Work will occasionally be performed at these garden sites:

• PS 216 (Brooklyn) Located at 350 Ave X. Close to ½ acre garden. Our largest site, the garden includes an assortment of fruit trees and vegetable beds, a pollinator garden, an active compost system and a greenhouse.
• Brooklyn Garden Elementary School (Brooklyn) Located at 574 Dumont Ave. Garden includes 12 raised beds, an active compost system and an assortment of smaller containers,
• Brighter Choice Community School (Brooklyn) Located at 280 Hart Street. The smallest of our gardens. Includes 7 raised beds and an assortment of perennial beds.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform aspects of gardening, including seed-starting, planting, watering, harvesting, weeding, trellising, compost systems management and pest management
• Manage vegetables, annual flowers and native plants throughout the season, including seeding, dead-heading, pruning, harvesting flowers, seed saving and propagation
• Maintain paths and meeting areas, remove litter from gardens, keep storage areas in good condition, and report any supplies and repairs needed to the Director of Horticulture and Operations
• Perform summer cleaning on the toolshed, greenhouse, and other shared areas.
• Prepare the garden for community events and activities as needed
• Assist the Director of Horticulture, Director of School Programs and Assistant Garden Manager with garden builds

QUALIFICATIONS

• Passion for Edible Schoolyard NYC’s mission
• At least one year of gardening and/or landscaping experience is required or the completion of a garden training program. An interest in urban farming/gardening or a willingness to learn is a plus
• Excellent organizational skills, flexibility, and the ability to manage time and deadlines effectively
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Able to work with a team and independently
• Comfortable working around children in garden spaces
• Comfort, familiarity, and interest in working with volunteers, staff and community members

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to stand, reach, and bend. Mobility of arms to reach, dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate large and small objects.
• Ability to stand for long periods.
• Ability to lift, push and/or pull objects, which may be approximately 50 pounds.
• Willingness to work outdoors under varying adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to travel between sites.

BENEFITS

• Personal/sick and vacation time
  • 1 hour of personal/sick time accrued for every 30 worked per pay period, up to 40 hours of sick/time
  • Vacation accrues at 1.39 hours per week worked
• Paid holidays according to the ESYNYC holiday calendar April - October including:
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Fourth of July
  • Labor Day
  • Indigenous Peoples’ Day
• Edible Schoolyard NYC will pay for MTA travel when traveling between school sites.

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and cover letter to Jason Duverney-Gaspar, Director of Horticulture and Operations, at jobs@esynyc.org no later than February 9. Please include your name and Seasonal Gardener in the subject lineI. In your cover letter, please explain why you are interested in working for Edible Schoolyard NYC and why the Seasonal Gardner is a good fit for you.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No phone calls please.

Edible Schoolyard NYC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established by applicable law. We seek to build a diverse staff representative of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.