Planting Fields Arboretum Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Duties Description The Park and Rec Aide 7 position is a full-time, seasonal role supporting the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and assisting garden staff at the arboretum in maintaining and caring for the site's gardens and landscape plantings. This includes shrub and perennial borders, seasonal annual plantings, tree collections, and conifers.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Watering, weeding, mulching, pruning, planting, and general plant care.
• Acquiring and propagating plants
• Cataloging, labeling, and inventorying plants
• Supervising volunteers and lower-level staff
• Performing other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications No minimum qualifications per Civil Service.
Additional Comments PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Gardening experience in hardy plants is preferred
OPERATIONAL NEEDS:
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license that allows the candidate to legally operate a motor vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment.
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must possess strong organizational and critical thinking skills and the ability to work independently or on a team.
• Must be able to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time outside and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be willing to keep current on all mandated safety trainings, including First Aid and CPR/AED.
BENEFITS:
This position has the option to join the NYS Employees' Retirement System and may be eligible for health insurance, dental and vision coverage as well as the opportunity for paid time off in the form of vacation, sick, personal and holiday leave after time and service requirements have been met.
To learn more about our benefits, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/employment/benefits.aspx
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Vincent A. Simeone
Telephone 516-419-0238
Fax
Email Address Vincent.Simeone@parks.ny.gov
Address
Street 1395 Planting Fields Road
City Oyster Bay
State NY
Zip Code 11771
Notes on Applying Please be advised that New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation does not use E-Verify and does not offer sponsorship for employment visas statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT). Candidates sponsored for employment by an organization should be aware of their sponsorship status and the relevant expiration date(s) of that sponsorship before applying to this position.
If you feel you meet the region's operating needs and are interested in being considered for this vacancy, please submit a resume, an employment application and a cover letter demonstrating your experience in relation to the duties listed. You must put the work location you are interested in on the subject line of your email.
If you feel you meet the minimum qualifications and the agency's operating needs and are interested in being considered for this vacancy, you can obtain an Employment Application from your local park office your region's administrative headquarters, or you can download an application from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation by visiting the website https://parks.ny.gov/regions/long-island/default.aspx.
Your application must be received by 9/8/2026 and submitted via email to Vinnie Simeone at Vincent.Simeone@parks.ny.gov by September 8th, 2026. You must include "Vacancy ID - PRA 7 - Planting Fields Arboretum" in the subject line of your email. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for the position. For any questions regarding the position, please reach out to Michael Ahern by email at Michael.Ahern@parks.ny.gov and/or by phone at 516-922-8602.
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities and workplace diversity.
New York State (NYS) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, carrier status, gender identity or prior conviction records, or prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications or sealed records unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.
Executive Order 31 commits New York State government to becoming a model employer for people with disabilities, increasing the participation of people with disabilities in state service and ensuring equal access to opportunities. OPRHP encourages people with disabilities to apply. If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Equal Opportunity Unit at ReasonableAccommodation@parks.ny.gov or (518) 486-7754.