Volunteer Coordinator, Landscape Management

Overview

Reports to: Manager, Landscape Management

Department: Landscape Management

Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time

About Central Park Conservancy

Central Park is one of the world’s most famous and beloved public spaces. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858, the 843-acre Park was the country’s first purpose-built public park and is a National Historic Landmark and a New York Scenic 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 then, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of over $1.6 billion in the restoration of the Park, which now hosts over 40 million visitors a year.

The Conservancy is one of the largest and most successful public private partnerships in New York City and is considered a major civic institution given its impact on the health and vibrancy of both the Park and the City. 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. The Conservancy employs roughly 400 people and has an annual operating budget of $100 million.

The Position

Working under the general supervision of the Manager, the Volunteer Coordinator is the primary liaison between Landscape Management staff and CPCs volunteer office and is responsible for the daily direction of volunteers working at pre-determined projects and ensuring all work meets acceptable organizational practice. It is expected that the Volunteer Coordinator will work across departments and with other staff in Park Operations to perform their primary tasks.

Essential Duties

• Work with the Manager and Assistant Manager to identify projects and sites appropriate for volunteer groups.
• Coordinate, schedule, plan and implement all projects that involve individuals who are volunteering time. This includes but is not limited to adult, family, teen, school and corporate groups.
• Communicate with volunteers via email and phone regarding assignments and other general correspondence
• Provide hands on site supervision to volunteers on activities such as weeding, sweeping, raking, planting, pruning and mulching.
• Work alongside volunteers and provide instruction to and guides in the proper techniques of landscape management and in the proper use and care of tools, equipment and materials
• Monitor and ensure volunteer engagement, productivity, compliance and status of work assignments
• Keep simple records and make written reports including regular tracking of volunteer hours and attendance and any other required reports needed by the Volunteer Department
• 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
• Maintain tools and equipment in good working order and report items that require repair; ensures volunteers have appropriate uniforms
• Operate various types of equipment including golf carts, light or medium weight trucks and tractors

Collaboration

• Duties in addition to the volunteer responsibilities include working with the Section landscape team when volunteer projects are cancelled or not scheduled. These duties include, but are not limited to, picking up trash, opening playgrounds, string trimming, cleaning paths and group projects.
• Cooperate with other staff within the department and other department personnel in completing assigned tasks
• Assist in the preparation of special events as needed
• Interact with Park patrons in a professional manner
• Daily reports of malfunctioning infrastructure, furnishings, safety hazards, quality of life issues
• Perform related work as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from accredited college in a related field; 3 years of increasingly responsible experience; demonstrated ability to work well and collaborate with others; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” above. However all candidates must have demonstrated the ability to work well and collaborate with others
• A valid Drivers’ License must be maintained throughout the duration of employment
• Possess a fundamental understanding and knowledge of customer service and/or volunteer management.
• Possess a fundamental understanding and knowledge of landscape maintenance; ornamental and native plant material cyclical care including planting, pruning, weeding, and removals
• Ability to provide both oral and written communication that is easily understood and direct in its content
• Ability to engage in critical thinking skills that allow for prioritizing issues, coordinating multiple projects and problem solve
• Knowledge of computer equipment and Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as part of regularly scheduled shifts. Ability to work overtime as needed. Ability to work Saturdays as regularly scheduled.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform heavy physical labor on a daily basis in all weather conditions

Salary range: $65K – $83,400 (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 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 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.