Reports to: Director, Landscape Management  

Department: Landscape Management 

Status: Full-time, Exempt 

Schedule: 7:00AM – 3:30PM 

About 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 $2 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 the pace and pressures of city life, enhancing the enjoyment and wellbeing of all. The City of New York has formally entrusted the care of the Park to the Conservancy which is responsible for every aspect of the Park’s 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 400 people and has an operating budget of $120 million. 

The Position 

The Manager is responsible for the leadership, program management, and administration of an assigned section and is part of a team that manages Park Operations as a whole. Working under the general direction of the Director of Landscape Management, the Manager is primarily responsible for the overall management of the landscape grounds in an assigned section within Central Park. Responsibilities include providing direction and oversight of all landscapes and plant beds following established departmental standards using best practices.  Leadership consists of developing plans for plant health care, site maintenance and improvements including cultivation, pruning, weeding, removals, transplants, and plant selections.  It is expected that the Manager will work across departments and with other Managers in Park Operations to perform their primary tasks.   

Summary of Essential Job Functions: 

Supervisory Responsibilities  

• Lead and organize a team of Assistant Managers, Forepersons, Gardeners, and Groundskeepers in the maintenance and renovation of the Park’s landscapes within an assigned Section. 

• Plan, direct and coordinate in collaboration with Assistant Managers and Forepersons, the departmental work plan within the Section. Organize regular staff meetings.  Meet with management and staff to identify and resolve problems quickly and efficiently. 

• Monitor staff productivity, compliance with standards, and status of work assignments using computer-based systems. 

• Provide regular feedback to staff using established performance standards aligned to organizational values and departmental standards.            

• Mentor and support staff by identifying strengths, addressing developmental needs, and fostering professional growth. 
• Create schedules and coordinate maintenance priorities with other departments and Section Managers to ensure work is performed consistently throughout the Park.   

• Hire, onboard, and execute annual performance reviews in collaboration with the People & Culture team.  

Collaboration  

• Collaborate with other Managers in Landscape Management, Landscape Services, Volunteer Management, Park Maintenance, and other departments within Park Operations to achieve established work plan goals.  

• Integrate Section work with centralized Landscape Services functions such as Tree Care, Turf Care, Pest Control, and Fleet Management.   

• Communicate and coordinate with other departments at CPC including Capital Projects, Design, Construction, Communications and Development and disseminate pertinent information to employees.   

• Coordinate with NYC Parks and other city agencies as necessary. 

• Keep Director of Landscape Management informed of all matters as they relate to the section and to the Park as a whole. 

Program Management  

• Create an annual work plan within established departmental goals and environmental sustainably framework for an assigned section.  Develop measurements against the plan and regularly report on the progress of annual work plan.   

• Perform and utilize inspections based on the annual work plan, adjust work schedules accordingly.  Continually inspect, monitor, and manage the performance of the section.     

• Establish written work procedures, work with other Section Managers to ensure consistency in the approach to processes.  

• Working with the Director of Landscape Management and Safety Manager, implement training programs for safety and work techniques that are current with professional standards and administered at appropriate intervals; keep current on safety rules and procedures; review on an annual basis.    

• Working with Director of Landscape Management and other Managers, develop an annual section budget and monitor expenses throughout the fiscal year. Develop future fiscal year planning for large expenditure purchases of equipment, vehicles, supplies or contracted services. 

• Execute purchase requests.  Follow all proper procurement procedures set by the Conservancy and sustainability guidelines.  Provide supporting documentation justifying requests as necessary; solicit and obtain all necessary bids and quotations for pricing.   

• Use computer-based management systems for budget control, scheduling, timekeeping, and inspections.   

Related Work  

• Maintain inventory control and proper care of all vehicles, tools, equipment, supplies, and staff uniforms.    

• Ensure the removal of all trash from landscape, gardens, grounds, hardscapes and facilities within a section; collaborate with Park Maintenance on inspections and notifications of unsatisfactory conditions.  

• Respond effectively and in a timely manner to administrative requests.  

• Respond to, and manage, emergency situations including but not limited to, storms and snow events.   

• Other duties as assigned.   

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s Degree from accredited college in a related field; 10 years of increasingly responsible experience in maintenance work in the field of landscape management including a minimum of 8 years in the management and supervision of others; or   

• Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” above. However, all candidates must possess the 8 years of management and supervision of others.   

• Valid Drivers’ License that must be maintained for duration of employment. 

• Possess a fundamental understanding and knowledge of Landscape management using modern practices; experience in urban parks is desirable.   

Abilities Required:  

• 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 and management systems.  

• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform heavy physical labor on a daily basis in all weather conditions.   

Salary Range:  $112,000 to $143,200 (based on level of experience) 

Note: This is an in-person, 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 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.