Company description

Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) is a private non-profit cultural institution located on 39 acres of New York City public land in Flushing, New York. In FY24, the Garden served approximately 282,000 visitors, including 22,000 schoolchildren. A recently completed visitor survey reveals that 45% of visitors speak a language other than English at home. This fact underscores the importance of the mission and the challenges and opportunities QBG faces daily in creating programs, exhibits and landscapes that serve the needs of people who live in and visit one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the nation. The Garden has committed itself to addressing the complex and ever-changing needs of its diverse community and to being the place where people, plants, and cultures meet.

Job description

The Compost Associate will play a key role in the Compost Team at Queens Botanical Garden, supporting the delivery and hauling of materials, providing technical assistance at community gardens, engaging in community outreach, and helping to process SSOW (source-separated organic waste). The position requires flexibility, a proactive approach to vehicle maintenance, and a friendly, outgoing personality to promote our composting efforts.

Responsibilities

Process SSOW at our mid-scale site by chopping food scraps, removing contaminants, building and turning windrows, monitoring temperatures, and sifting finished material to produce high-quality compost.
Drive a 14’ dump truck and other fleet vehicles to deliver/pick up food scraps, finished compost, browns, tools, and promotional materials to/from community sites (e.g. urban farms, schools, community gardens).
Coordinate delivery schedules and routes with the Compost Project Manager, ensuring timeliness and efficiency.
Provide technical assistance at community gardens and at local schools, assessing and improving composting systems to optimize their functionality.
Maintain accurate records of all deliveries, materials hauled, and technical assistance provided, ensuring accurate record-keeping and timely submission of reports to meet all deadlines.
Assist with the oversight of the vehicle fleet, including cleanliness and organization of all equipment.
Represent QBG at community events, including tabling and other outreach activities.
Lead tours of our Compost Site and Compost Demonstration Site.
Provide friendly and informative customer service, answering questions about composting and other QBG programs.
Support the Outreach and Education Coordinator in developing content ideas and support social media campaigns.
Attend team meetings and collaborate with QBG staff to support the Compost Department’s goals.
Support the team as needed and/or directed by the Compost Project Manager.

Qualifications

Valid NYS driver’s license with a clean record and experience driving large vehicles (18-24 feet) required to fulfill job duties with company vehicles
Experience with dump trucks and lift gates is highly desirable
Familiarity with NYC truck routes and ability to navigate NYC streets confidently
Skilled in—or eager to learn—how to operate heavy machinery such as skid steers and tractors.
Demonstrate the ability to safely operate—or quickly learn—specialized composting equipment such as the Bacchus compost turner, WeRadiate temperature monitoring system, and Sittler compost screener.
Trained or willing to be trained in OSHA-complainant procedures.
Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.
Ability to lead and assist physical projects, and lift 50 pounds.
Capable of independently troubleshooting and optimizing a variety of small-scale composting systems, including Earth Machines, tumblers, Hotboxes, and 3-bin systems.
Friendly, calm, and approachable demeanor suited for engaging with diverse community members.
Organized and proactive, with strong problem-solving skills and an eye for detail.
Proficiency in MS Outlook, Excel, Canva, and Slack.
Proven ability to create, manage, and grow social media content with measurable results
Schedule

This is a part-time position. This position requires a 28-hour week schedule Sunday through Wednesday, with occasional Saturday and evenings depending on program needs. We anticipate that this position will evolve into a full-time role by the late summer/early fall 2026, contingent upon funding.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline