Groundskeeper

Groundskeeper

Full-Time, Year-Round; Staten Island, New York

WHO WE ARE

Snug Harbor is an expansive culture park on Staten Island where arts, nature, education, and history converge to offer dynamic programming, events, and festivals to our diverse community. Located less than 1.5 miles from the Staten Island Ferry and easily accessible by public transportation, Snug Harbor welcomes nearly 500,000 visitors each year. Visitors can explore multiple museums, performances, festivals, a farm, and 83 acres of gardens, parkland, woodland, and wetlands.

Founded in 1976 as a nonprofit organization, Snug Harbor is one of the largest adaptive reuse projects in America, transforming a 19th-century charitable rest home for sailors into a vibrant hub of contemporary culture and community connection. Today, Snug Harbor’s mission is dedicated to creating a vibrant culture park in Staten Island offering arts, nature, history, education and events for all.

THE POSITION:

The Groundskeeper supports the daily care, safety, and accessibility of Snug Harbor’s grounds and shared outdoor spaces. Reporting to the Groundskeeping Manager, this role is responsible for maintaining site circulation, infrastructure readiness, and outdoor conditions that support public access, staff operations, programs, and events. The Groundskeeper works as part of a field-based team committed to safe, well-maintained, and welcoming outdoor environments.

This is a highly physical role. The Groundskeeper works standing, bending, crouching, pulling, pushing, and using equipment in all weather conditions (including rain and extreme heat) while maintaining a fast and efficient pace working with volunteers.

The Groundskeeper reports to the Grounds Manager as part of the Community Impact Team. Schedule is generally 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. This position is not FLSA-exempt. This job description is not designed to cover every job requirement. All field-based staff are expected to support one another during peak seasons, events, weather-related needs, and cross-department initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

OPERATIONS & FIELD WORK

● Maintain lawns, pathways, plazas, and shared outdoor areas to ensure safe and reliable site access.

● Perform routine grounds maintenance including mowing, edging, leaf management, snow and ice removal, and seasonal cleanup.

● Support upkeep of site infrastructure such as fencing, signage, gates, benches, lighting, and repairs.

● Assist with waste management, debris removal, and cleanliness across public and operational spaces.

● Prepare outdoor areas for daily use, programs, volunteer days, and special events.

● Operate, clean, and store tools, vehicles, and equipment according to established standards.

● Monitor site conditions and respond to weather-related impacts affecting access or safety.

SAFETY & COMPLIANCE:

● Follow all workplace safety protocols, OSHA standards, and internal operating procedures.

● Use required personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately and consistently.

● Conduct routine visual inspections of work areas, equipment, and public spaces to identify hazards.

● Report safety concerns, infrastructure issues, and maintenance needs promptly.

● Support safe public access by maintaining clear pathways and addressing trip, slip, or visibility hazards.

TRAINING & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT:

● Model safe work practices, proper tool use, and professional conduct for interns, volunteers, and workforce participants.

● Support onboarding and daily task guidance for volunteers or seasonal staff as assigned.

● Participate in required trainings to strengthen technical skills, safety awareness, and site knowledge.

● Contribute to a respectful, inclusive work environment that supports learning and teamwork.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:

● Serve as a visible, professional representative of Snug Harbor while working in public-facing spaces.

● Interact courteously with visitors, responding to basic questions or directing inquiries appropriately.

● Maintain a site appearance that supports positive visitor experiences and reflects organizational values.

● Support events and programs by ensuring outdoor spaces are safe, accessible, and ready for use.

COORDINATION & REPORTING:

● Communicate daily progress, challenges, and needs clearly to the Groundskeeping Manager.

● Coordinate with gardeners, farm staff, and other field teams during shared projects or peak seasons.

● Track work completed, equipment usage, and hours as required.

● Participate in daily briefings or team meetings to align on priorities and schedules.

QUALIFICATIONS:

● Experience working outdoors with physically demanding work for extended periods of time in all weather conditions (including rain and extreme heat) while maintaining a fast and efficient pace

● Able to lift 50 lbs regularly and be able to stand, squat, kneel, bend, and crouch for extended periods of time in all weather conditions

● Able to manage multiple tasks at once while managing time well

● Able to learn and teach new tasks quickly and execute immediately, including safe use of power tools

● Enthusiastic about and committed to being an active and flexible member of a small team

● Able to follow all safety protocols

● Exemplary communication skills and workplace professionalism, including appropriate work attire, positive attitude, timeliness, and adaptability

● A valid driver’s license is required

● English facility required; Spanish facility preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This position is physically demanding and performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions. Duties include lifting up to 50 pounds, operating machinery, repetitive motion, bending, kneeling, and extended periods of standing or walking. Occasional early mornings, weekends, or evenings are required for special events and weather-related operations. In the event of inclement weather, staff are expected to be in communication and prepared to report for duty to restore site access.

SALARY:

The hourly rate is $17.00. This is a full-time, generally working a 35-hour work week. Weekend work will be required for this position. Typical hours are 8:00 am-4:00 pm, but dependent on weather and business needs. Snug Harbor offers a generous vacation/holiday schedule and participation in the Cultural Institutions Retirement System pension plan.

TO APPLY

Qualified candidates should complete the employee application form by visiting https://snug-harbor.org/jobapplication/. We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Selected candidates will be asked to work in the field for thirty minutes as part of the hiring process. This is to assess familiarity with physical work processes and farming environment.

Snug Harbor celebrates and commits to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value and seek the strengths of human variety across communities in programming, with staff, the Board of Directors, volunteers, artists, and visitors. Snug Harbor strives to build a culture of diversity of voice and representation, authentically inclusive spaces, and equity for all.

Snug Harbor is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to the treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

For more information on SHCC, please visit, www.snug-harbor.org

Pay: $17.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person