Gardener

Do you love to work outdoors?  Hamilton Grange National Memorial is seeking new members for its “141st Volunteers” garden corps, so if you’re trying to find a place in the city where you can exercise your green thumbs, then look no further!  The Memorial preserves the home of founding father Alexander Hamilton, a man whose work helped to ensure the success of the United States as a single nation, and by joining our dedicated volunteer corps, you can help us protect this extraordinary place and share its stories with the visiting public.

Main Goals for This Position

As a member of the “141st Volunteers” gardening corps, you will help care for the grounds at Hamilton Grange, so that we can present a good face to the community and enhance public enjoyment of the park.  Your presence at our site, as well as your hard work and interaction with visitors, will help to support the missions of the National Park Service and Hamilton Grange National Memorial.

Brief Description of Work

As a garden volunteer, you will become part of the committed team that maintains the gardens and grounds at Hamilton Grange.  Work may include planting, weeding, watering, raking and pruning, as well as collecting and disposing of trash and the debris resulting from garden work.  You may also interact with visitors and answer questions about the park and gardens.  Prior experience in the field of horticulture is welcome, but not required.

Length of Commitment

Length of commitment is variable, and will be specified in the volunteer’s SF-301a Agreement Form.  Forms are generally considered to be valid for one year from the date of signing, after which the park will inquire to see if the volunteer wishes to extend their commitment.  Garden work is usually only performed on Sunday afternoons, but special arrangements may be made after a probationary period.  Volunteers should be able to commit to a regular weekly shift of at least 1-4 hours.

Location Where Work Will Be Performed

Hamilton Grange National Memorial, 414 West 141st Street, New York, NY 10031 and the garden at the former site of the home at 287 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031

Qualifications

• Work will be performed outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and will involve kneeling, bending, getting dirty and lifting weights of up to 20 lbs.
• The tools and equipment to be used will be provided by the park and will be limited to standard gardening equipment such as rakes, shovels, gloves, pitchforks and shears.  Neither power tools nor pesticides will be used by garden volunteers.
• No vehicles will be operated within the scope of the position.
• The minimum age for individuals wishing to hold this volunteer position is 18 years.
• Volunteers must wear the Manhattan Sites volunteer uniform while in view of the public.

Benefits to the Volunteer

• You will get to share your love of outdoor gardening and enhance your local community.
• Opportunities for training.
• Awards (such as a free interagency parks pass) may be available based on achievement or hours served.
• By acting as a steward of our nation’s cultural and natural resources, you will become part of a larger movement working to ensure that these special places can be enjoyed by future generations.

Supervisory Controls

Garden volunteers will work under the guidance and support of the Hamilton Grange National Memorial Lead Ranger.  Day-to-day activities will be directed by the Head Volunteer Gardener.

Scope of Contacts

As the majority of work performed will be done outdoors, garden volunteers can expect to be constantly in the public eye.  You will be working as part of a small team, and will occasionally interact with the public during the performance of your duties.