Infrastructure/Preservation Technician

Overview

Reports to: Manager of Technical Services

Department: Infrastructure & Facilities

Status:  Non-Exempt

Status: Full time, Hourly

 

About Central Park and the Central Park Conservancy

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:

Technicians in the Infrastructure and Facilities Department provide comprehensive technical maintenance, preservation, and restoration to Central Park’s facilities, playgrounds, historic structures, features, amenities, and hardscapes. They work collaboratively throughout the park on routine maintenance to ensure that all park structures and facilities are safe for public use, and complete specialized projects requiring skilled masonry, carpentry, metalwork, cleaning, and coatings application under the supervision of a Foreperson and Assistant Manager.

 

 Essential Duties:

• Participate in the preservation, construction, repair, and maintenance of wooden structures including rustic woodwork, fine woodwork, deck replacement, patching, sanding, cleaning, and coatings applications.
• Participate in the preservation, repair, and maintenance of metal structures, including welding, chasing, patching, patinating, molding, casting, cleaning, and coatings applications.
• Participate in the preservation, repair, and maintenance of masonry structures and paved surfaces including pointing, patching, sealing, stone replacement, stone stabilization, stone carving, molding, casting, cleaning, and stain removal.
• Perform routine general maintenance including hardware repairs, hanging doors, fitting locks, and handles, etc.
• Perform priming and painting work such as preparing surfaces and using brush, sprayer, or roller to apply paints, stains, and varnishes.
• Perform routine electrical repairs such as basic wiring, fuse, and ballast replacement.
• Perform routine plumbing maintenance and repairs on bathroom fixtures, drain lines, catch basins, and drinking and display fountains.
• Perform routine and skilled facility preventative maintenance tasks to minimize wear and tear and emergency maintenance incidents for HVAC and building systems in Central Park’s managed public facilities and staff buildings.
• Visually inspect outdoor structures including play equipment, fencing, and surfaces to check for safety hazards, defects, and malfunctions and take steps to correct conditions in concert with supervisor.
• Perform sign installation and repair, ensuring the effective measurement, placement, connection in accordance with Communications Department guidelines.
• Provide timely response to daily work orders, document progress via consistent reporting, and complete projects in an efficient manner using a mobile and computer-based work order system.
• Safely operate tools and equipment in compliance with all federal OSHA, state, and local safety requirements, including, but not limited to park vehicles, specialized equipment, small power equipment (chainsaws, generators, welders, mixers, drills, saws, torches, pumps, etc.) and hand tools (wrenches, hammers, floats, etc.) with the use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Maintain and safeguard a proper inventory of supplies, materials, and equipment
• Maintain clean, safe, and organized worksite using established protocols for location and activity.
• Provide positive customer service to park visitors and park staff including answering questions and conveying park information
• Perform other duties as required in the scope of the job and as designated by management
• Participate in seasonal maintenance activities including snow removal

 

Minimum Requirements:

• A four-year high school diploma or equivalent; and
• Professional experience or applied training in facility or HVAC maintenance or one of the traditional preservation trades, including carpentry, masonry, metalworking, painting, modeling, carving, and mold-making.
• Technically proficient hand skills and a rigorous attention to detail.
• Working knowledge and technical understanding of mechanical, electric, and plumbing systems is preferred.
• Respect and appreciation for the fundamental value of historical landscapes, structures, and objects.
• Effective communication skills and basic computer knowledge
• Valid State Issued Driver License that must be maintained for duration of employment
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform heavy physical labor daily in all weather conditions.
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to work safely at heights, using a ladder or aerial lift.

 

Additional Requirements / Assignment to Infrastructure/Preservation Technician II:

• A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience as described above that is equivalent to 5 years’ experience.
• Demonstrated competency of essential job functions
• CPC Internal Candidates – A satisfactory performance evaluation during each year of employment.

Salary range: $46K to $52K (based on level of experience)

Note: This is an on-site position.

 

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 be in compliance with 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 potential 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.