Tree Planting Forestry Intern for Brooklyn (Mortality and Longevity of Street Tr
METRO HORT GROUP, INC., New York, NY, United States
Tree Planting Forestry Intern for Brooklyn (Mortality and Longevity of Street Trees in Brooklyn NYC
Start Date:
beginning of June Compensation:
$19.14 per hour
AGENCY DESCRIPTION
The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation manages 14 percent of the land in New York City with facilities ranging from playgrounds and large parks, to tranquil wooded areas, and more than 14 miles of beaches. Parks serve as New Yorkers’ backyards, vital meeting areas for outdoor play and recreation – but also an important tool in mitigating the effects of climate change, fostering economic growth, and enhancing community life. NYC Parks’ mission is to grow, maintain, and program a world‑class park system prioritizing equity, access, safety, and nature.
In the past year, Parks completed a number of initiatives citywide that helped New Yorkers access their shared public spaces.
Securing more than $700 million in funds to build or substantially reconstruct six recreation centers, including two opening in 2026: the $141 million Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in East Flatbush, Brooklyn and the $92 million Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center in Tompkinsville, Staten Island.
Expanding our free learn‑to‑swim programs to reach an additional 4,800 second graders and bring the total to nearly 18,000 youth served by our essential swim programming.
Keeping more than 8 million people safe at the city’s public beaches last summer along with over 1 million patrons at outdoor pools, thanks to the highest number of Parks lifeguards since 2019, including a 23 percent increase in new recruits.
Completing a $23 million investment in public space at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments, bringing new playgrounds, sports equipment, and seating areas to NYCHA residents.
Launching our latest Tree Census, which involves thousands of volunteers to measure the size, location, and condition of the city’s trees. Conducted once every ten years, the census helps to identify areas where more trees can be planted, supporting a more equitable urban canopy and increasing the many benefits trees provide.
Celebrating the historic expansion of the Second Shift program, dedicating extra maintenance services for 100 additional hot spots at parks across the five boroughs during peak evening and weekend hours. This expanded the total sites citywide serviced by dedicated staff to 200 hot spots.
Adding 100 new Parks Enforcement Patrol positions to bolster patrol strength throughout the city.
Promoting equity in athletic spaces by rolling out new athletic permit rules and fee changes to improve access for non‑profit and youth organizations.
UNIT DESCRIPTION
The City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation manages right‑of‑way and park trees across all five boroughs. Over 650,000 of those trees line the streets; of those trees, almost 175,000 are in Brooklyn. The Tree Planting Program, part of the Environment & Planning Division, manages the planting of 15,000–18,000 new street and park trees each year, including 4,000–5,000 new street trees in Brooklyn each year. Foresters in our program are responsible for both field surveys of potential tree planting locations and for the overall project management of one or more capital tree planting contracts.
INTERNSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
Interns will spend a majority of their time on fieldwork for a 5‑ and 10‑year study of the mortality and longevity of New York City’s street trees. Interns will work independently on the streets of Brooklyn collecting this data using FieldMaps and/or Survey 123 on a tablet, traveling from sampling point to point on foot or utilizing public transportation. Interns may also assist NYC Parks by performing inspections of potential street tree planting locations, recommending species to be planted, inventorying existing trees, and inspecting the condition of recently‑planted trees. Interns will maintain clean, tidy, and accurate data throughout the survey and inventory process, learn about NYC’s urban forest and factors involved in management decisions, and gain exposure to project management skills and large datasets in a municipal government office setting.
QUALIFICATIONS/SPECIAL SKILLS/AREAS OF INTEREST
Minimum college sophomore standing with an interest in urban forestry, horticulture, plant science, or related fields. Preference given to students studying forestry or a related subject. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets is required; familiarity with GIS software (especially ESRI products) is a plus. Familiarity with tree identification, especially of common urban trees of the northeastern U.S., is useful, but can also be taught. Interns will work independently outdoors in varied weather conditions and utilize NYC’s public transportation system.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This opportunity does not include remote workdays. Title: City Seasonal Aide Salary: $19.14 per hour
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please email cover letter and resume to Leslie.Nusblatt@parks.nyc.gov
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Start Date:
beginning of June Compensation:
$19.14 per hour
AGENCY DESCRIPTION
The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation manages 14 percent of the land in New York City with facilities ranging from playgrounds and large parks, to tranquil wooded areas, and more than 14 miles of beaches. Parks serve as New Yorkers’ backyards, vital meeting areas for outdoor play and recreation – but also an important tool in mitigating the effects of climate change, fostering economic growth, and enhancing community life. NYC Parks’ mission is to grow, maintain, and program a world‑class park system prioritizing equity, access, safety, and nature.
In the past year, Parks completed a number of initiatives citywide that helped New Yorkers access their shared public spaces.
Securing more than $700 million in funds to build or substantially reconstruct six recreation centers, including two opening in 2026: the $141 million Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in East Flatbush, Brooklyn and the $92 million Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center in Tompkinsville, Staten Island.
Expanding our free learn‑to‑swim programs to reach an additional 4,800 second graders and bring the total to nearly 18,000 youth served by our essential swim programming.
Keeping more than 8 million people safe at the city’s public beaches last summer along with over 1 million patrons at outdoor pools, thanks to the highest number of Parks lifeguards since 2019, including a 23 percent increase in new recruits.
Completing a $23 million investment in public space at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments, bringing new playgrounds, sports equipment, and seating areas to NYCHA residents.
Launching our latest Tree Census, which involves thousands of volunteers to measure the size, location, and condition of the city’s trees. Conducted once every ten years, the census helps to identify areas where more trees can be planted, supporting a more equitable urban canopy and increasing the many benefits trees provide.
Celebrating the historic expansion of the Second Shift program, dedicating extra maintenance services for 100 additional hot spots at parks across the five boroughs during peak evening and weekend hours. This expanded the total sites citywide serviced by dedicated staff to 200 hot spots.
Adding 100 new Parks Enforcement Patrol positions to bolster patrol strength throughout the city.
Promoting equity in athletic spaces by rolling out new athletic permit rules and fee changes to improve access for non‑profit and youth organizations.
UNIT DESCRIPTION
The City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation manages right‑of‑way and park trees across all five boroughs. Over 650,000 of those trees line the streets; of those trees, almost 175,000 are in Brooklyn. The Tree Planting Program, part of the Environment & Planning Division, manages the planting of 15,000–18,000 new street and park trees each year, including 4,000–5,000 new street trees in Brooklyn each year. Foresters in our program are responsible for both field surveys of potential tree planting locations and for the overall project management of one or more capital tree planting contracts.
INTERNSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
Interns will spend a majority of their time on fieldwork for a 5‑ and 10‑year study of the mortality and longevity of New York City’s street trees. Interns will work independently on the streets of Brooklyn collecting this data using FieldMaps and/or Survey 123 on a tablet, traveling from sampling point to point on foot or utilizing public transportation. Interns may also assist NYC Parks by performing inspections of potential street tree planting locations, recommending species to be planted, inventorying existing trees, and inspecting the condition of recently‑planted trees. Interns will maintain clean, tidy, and accurate data throughout the survey and inventory process, learn about NYC’s urban forest and factors involved in management decisions, and gain exposure to project management skills and large datasets in a municipal government office setting.
QUALIFICATIONS/SPECIAL SKILLS/AREAS OF INTEREST
Minimum college sophomore standing with an interest in urban forestry, horticulture, plant science, or related fields. Preference given to students studying forestry or a related subject. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets is required; familiarity with GIS software (especially ESRI products) is a plus. Familiarity with tree identification, especially of common urban trees of the northeastern U.S., is useful, but can also be taught. Interns will work independently outdoors in varied weather conditions and utilize NYC’s public transportation system.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This opportunity does not include remote workdays. Title: City Seasonal Aide Salary: $19.14 per hour
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please email cover letter and resume to Leslie.Nusblatt@parks.nyc.gov
#J-18808-Ljbffr