Gardener, Alcatraz Historic Gardens (Temporary Seasonal)Organization Description:Since 1981, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Parks Conservancy) has served as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, collaborating with the Presidio Trust, partners, donors, and the community to support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The GGNRA stretches across three Bay Area counties north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge and includes iconic places such as Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, Mori Point, Lands End, and the Presidio of San Francisco.
The Parks Conservancy engages at the intersection of national park sites, local communities, social justice, and climate resilience. Collaborating with partners, our staff are dedicated to enhancing public awareness and providing volunteer and educational opportunities in the parks. We are park builders, caretakers, ambassadors and educators, all working to connect people to parks in support of our vision Parks for All Forever.
Department Description: The Parks Conservancy's Community Stewardship and Engagement (CSE) team is passionate about creating and strengthening connections between communities and parklands, while supporting priority park needs, through a variety of programs that serve a diversity of Bay Area communities. We strive to build trustful relationships and impactful experiences that provide opportunities for stewardship and science, storytelling, recreation, exploration, and wellness. We work to understand the needs of our local communities, listen deeply, and collaborate with our community leaders to co-create programs. We seek to support the health, well-being and care of both our local communities and our flora and fauna and inspire new ways of learning and contributing to social justice and environmental issues.
With a focus on support for priority park sites, our Gardens team offers programs that seek to restore and sustain the vitality of two historic gardens with the support of the larger CSE team. Community programs offered include hands-on gardening, garden tours, community-science data collection, and programs specifically geared to youth and other affinity groups. In addition, staff develop and mentor the next generation of environmentalists via internships and workforce development opportunities.
Position Overview:The Alcatraz gardener works closely with the Gardens of Alcatraz Sr. Program Manager to assure the general maintenance and daily upkeep of garden areas on Alcatraz Island.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities: - Care for all garden areas utilizing the proper techniques and practices of horticulture: this includes weeding, propagating, planting, efficient irrigation, fertilizing, composting, pruning and insect/disease control.
- Utilize the greenhouse for growing annuals and perennials for the garden and maintain updated propagation schedule.
- Meet regularly with and coordinate work with Sr. Gardens Manager
- Lead volunteers in planned activities; supervise and train volunteers in safe garden practices.
- Maintain accurate field records of weeding, planting, repairs, installations, photographs and plant health.
- Track volunteer hours and attendance using a database
- Maintain a clean and orderly storage areas. Manage equipment and supplies, including proper care of vehicles, hand tools, volunteer gloves and power equipment. Report any necessary replacements and repairs.
- Maintain garden infrastructure, including hothouse, greenhouse, irrigation system, walkways, stairs, and railings. Report necessary repairs and replacements.
- Work with minimal supervision.
- Be part of the team and courteous to visitors.
- Occasionally drive to pick up plants from nursery
- Occasionally provide hands-on support to Black Point Historic Gardens (at Fort Mason)
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: - Experience and knowledge in horticulture and the care of gardens.
- Experience as a volunteer or with volunteer management
- Be able to drive garden vehicle safely on the island, comfortable driving around visitors and small spaces
- Be able to learn to use chipper for composting
- Must possess California driver's license
- Energetic and self-motivated.
- Able to work independently and accurately
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Proficiency in basic computer applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Google Docs) and able to learn additional programs.
Health and Safety: It is the goal of the Parks Conservancy to create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace. We work to mitigate hazards and risks that may cause harm to employees, consistent with state and federal laws. Employees play an active role in creating a safe and healthy workplace and are expected to comply with all applicable health and safety rules.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment: - The schedule for this position is Tuesday - Thursday, 8:00am - 4:00 pm. On average, this position works about 80% of the time in the gardens with related hands-on tasks.
- Work is primarily performed in-person on Alcatraz Island. Regular travel required to Alcatraz via a free ferry ride Pier from 33.
- Some of the work is located near the top of Alcatraz Island which requires close to a ¼ mile walk up a 13% grade, and then gardening on slopes across the island.
- The field portion of this position can be physically strenuous and involves walking, squatting, lifting and/or kneeling, repetitive work, working in uneven terrain and in different types of outdoor weather conditions
Terms and Compensation: - This is a 3-day per week, 8 hours per day, part time position for six months (From March thru August)
- This position has a Tuesday - Thursday schedule.
- This position is non-exempt, non-benefitted. The pay rate is $25.00 per hour (Grade 9)
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Recruitment, placement and promotions are conducted without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical handicap, veteran status or sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by Federal, State, and local laws & ordinances. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
