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To the list of bureaucrats and wonks working at City Hall, now add robots.

The Husqvarna Automower 230 ACX - a foot-high battery-powered lawn-mowing robot that steers itself around the lawn, then returns to its charger when it needs more juice - just joined the City Hall staff as a groundskeeper.

For now, it's just a temporary, non-paying gig.

"It's on loan from the manufacturer for just a few weeks," said city Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "We're trying it out to see how it works."

The city has thousands of acres of parklands and ballfields that are now mowed by unionized workers but Benepe says the city's lawn-mowing workforce has no reason to fear they'll be replaced by machines.

"[The union] would be happy to have a few of these to make their lives easier so they can concentrate on other things," Benepe said, adding that anyone not mowing lawns could be pruning bushes, planting flowers or painting benches.

A spokeswoman for District Council 37, the city's largest union, did not respond to request for comment last night.

The robomower, which is more environmentally friendly than a typical gas-guzzling mower, is also not likely to appear in a typical park, Benepe said.

"It requires a relatively securable space...where it's not likely to be running into small kids or where someone could walk away with it."

The gadget is extremely secure at the moment. It's surrounded by the armed police officers who guard City Hall and is working in an area largely off-limits to visitors.

But Benepe said there are other places like the lawn bowling field in Central Park where a battery-fueled mower might come in handy - but only when human workers are on hand.

The manufacturer claims on its Web site that the contraption is safe even when unattended.

Its sharp blades are deep within the machine - away from toes or sniffing dogs - and it's programmed to shut off if it lifts or tips over.

Still, Benepe advises parkgoers to take caution if they see such a device in their neighborhood.

"If you see a strange machine coming toward you," he said, "it's a good idea to walk away from it."