Overview

Reports to: Manager- Landscape Management

Department: Landscape Management

Status: Non-Exempt

Central Park is one of the most famous and beloved urban public spaces in the world. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1857, the 843-acre park was the first purpose-built public park in the country and is a National Historic Landmark. The Central Park Conservancy, a private not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1980 to rescue the Park which had fallen into serious disrepair. Since that time, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of approximately $1 billion in the restoration of the park, and now hosts over 40 million visitors a year.

The Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from urban life. The City of New York has formally entrusted the care of the park to the Conservancy which is responsible for every aspect of its care, including landscape maintenance, capital improvements, and the visitor experience. Committed to sharing the best practices in urban park management, the Conservancy also serves as a resource for other NYC parks and for public-private partnerships around the world. The Conservancy employs roughly 325 people and has an operating budget of $80 million.

The Conservancy recently completed a seven-year plan, Central Park Conservancy, A Plan for the Stewardship of Central Park: 2020-2027, which focuses on the ongoing capital investment of the last four decade’s investment of more than $1 billion into Central Park.

The Position

Working under the general supervision of the Assistant Manager of Landscape Management, the Foreperson is responsible for the daily direction of staff working at a pre-determined maintenance schedule and ensuring all work meets acceptable organizational practice of an assigned section. It is expected that the Foreperson will work across departments and with other staff on Park Operations to perform their primary tasks. 

Primary Tasks

Responsibilities

  • Work alongside and provide direction to Groundskeepers and Gardeners, care for and maintain all landscapes, hardscapes, playgrounds, and perimeter in assigned section
  • Provides instruction to and guides Groundskeepers and Gardeners in the proper techniques of landscape management and in the proper use and care of tools, equipment, and materials
  • Monitor and ensure employee engagement, productivity, compliance, and status of work assignments
  • Ensures all work is in accordance with established annual work plan
  • Inspects and ensures all work is performed to meet organizational standards of methods and practices, safety, and other established requirements
  • Perform mowing, string trimming, watering, weeding, seeding, raking, sweeping and other related duties as assigned including maintaining all athletic and ballfields
  • Install and repair fence as needed
  • Ensure the removal of all trash from landscape, gardens, grounds, hardscape, and facilities in a section; collaborate with Park Maintenance on inspections and notifications of unsatisfactory conditions.
  • Supervise the snow removal program and perform duties of snow removal, with machines and physical labor
  • Maintain tools and equipment in good working order and report items that require repair
  • Operate various types of equipment including light or medium weight trucks and tractors

Collaboration

  • Cooperate with other staff within the department and other department personnel in completing assigned tasks
  • Assist in the preparation of special events as needed
  • Assist in the coordination with Assistant Manager and Volunteer Coordinator of volunteer projects, mentor interns
  • Interact with Park patrons in a professional manner
  • Daily reports of malfunctioning infrastructure, furnishings, safety hazards, quality of life issues

Related Work

  • Respond to emergency situations including, but not limited to, storms and snow events
  • Keep simple records and make written reports
  • Perform related work as assigned 

Minimum Requirements

  1. Bachelor’s Degree from accredited college in a related field; 3 years of increasingly responsible experience in maintenance work in the field of Landscape Management; demonstrated ability to work well and collaborate with others; or
  2. Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” above. However, all candidates must have demonstrated the ability to work well and collaborate with others
  3. Valid Drivers’ License that must be maintained for duration of employment
  4. Possess a fundamental understanding and knowledge of urban park landscape maintenance using modern practices

Abilities Required

  1. Ability to provide both oral and written communication that is easily understood and direct in its content
  2. Ability to engage in critical thinking skills that allow for prioritizing issues, coordinating multiple projects and problem solve
  3. Possess a fundamental understanding and knowledge of landscape management; ornamental and native plant material, cyclical care including planting, pruning, weed management and health care issues.
  4. Knowledge of computer equipment and Microsoft Office applications
  5. Ability to work overtime, weekends and holidays as needed
  6. Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform heavy physical labor daily in all weather conditions

Salary range: $47K-$58,300 (based on level of experience)

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

The Central Park Conservancy’s work is guided by the belief that Central Park, and all public parks, must be managed and actively protected as an inclusive and democratic space for all.

Working closely with our New York City partners, we will always strive towards creating and sustaining a sense of belonging for all visitors and advocating for equitable and accessible public use of the park.

In service of this belief, we are committed to fostering a workforce and organizational culture that is as diverse as Central Park itself and the dynamic city it serves.

Safety Requirements

Establishment and maintenance of a safe work environment is the shared responsibility of this organization and employees at every level. The Conservancy will make every effort to assure a safe environment and follow federal, state, and local safety regulations. Employees are expected to obey safety rules and to exercise caution in all their work activities. Accordingly, employees should be aware of any hazards, which could cause an injury or accident (e.g., spills, obstacles in walkways, etc.). If an employee discovers a potentially dangerous condition, he/she should alert other employees and notify his/her supervisor immediately.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed

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