What are the responsibilities and job description for the DEP Rain Garden Crew Member position at The Doe Fund Inc?
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The Doe Fund is a leading New York City non-profit organization that operates the enormously visible Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) program, whose participants clean over 115 miles of streets and sidewalks every day. With an $80 million budget, 500 staff members, and 46,000 individual donors, The Doe Fund is nationally acclaimed as a work-based model for solving homelessness and criminal recidivism. We empower people to break the cycles of homelessness, welfare dependency, substance abuse, and incarceration through innovative work and housing programs.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection protects public health and the environment by managing the city’s water supply, wastewater treatment, stormwater, and climate resilience infrastructure. DEP leads efforts to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and build sustainable infrastructure across New York City.
The Doe Fund and DEP have partnered to create a program that trains and employs New Yorkers to maintain rain gardens and green infrastructure that reduce flooding and protect neighborhood streets. Participants gain paid, hands-on experience for those interested in environmental maintenance and public works.
The Rain Garden Crew Member supports day-to-day delivery of rain garden maintenance and stewardship services under the New York City Department of Environmental Protection contract. This role completes hands-on field work safely and reliably, following schedules and standards while documenting work performed and reporting site issues to the field supervisor.
This is a temporary, seasonal position anticipated to conclude in November 2026.
Responsibilities
- Rain Garden Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance (planting, weeding, watering, sweeping, debris removal, sediment, landscaping, and snow removal) activities at rain gardens across assigned routes, following daily work plans and quality standards.
- Safety & Work Practices: Follow required safety procedures, wear required protective equipment, and use tools and equipment safely at all times.
- Tools, Equipment & Materials: Use and care for tools, supplies, and equipment; help keep vehicles, tools, and materials organized and ready for daily work.
- Reporting & Photo Documentation: Complete required documentation as assigned, including logging work performed and capturing time-stamped before/after photos using mobile tools. Observe site conditions and promptly report damage, safety hazards, vandalism, missing or damaged plants, and unusual conditions to the supervisor.
- Community Interaction: Participate in community events, engage and interact with the public in a professional manner
- Workforce Development Participation (if applicable): Participate in training, coaching, and progress check-ins as part of the workforce development program expectations.
Qualifications
- Experience: Prior outdoor work experience in landscaping, parks maintenance, sanitation, construction, or related work preferred; willingness to learn is required.
- Physical Requirements: Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and perform physical work (standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 50 lbs.) throughout the day.
- Technology: Comfortable using a smartphone to take photos and complete simple logs as required.
- Communication: Ability to communicate respectfully with crew members, supervisors, and the public.
- License/Driving: Valid driver’s license preferred, required if operating program vehicles.
- Reporting relationship: Reports to the Rain Garden Operations Supervisor ( Supervisor) or designated shift lead; works as part of a crew supporting assigned zone operations.
Interested?
Submit your application for review.
Before you go, we want to assure you that we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace reflective of individuals who share our mission and who want to join us in working on the cutting-edge of important social issues.
We are an equal opportunity employer and we highly encourage applications from candidates regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
Salary : $18