Foreperson, Natural Areas

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Reports to: Manager – Natural Areas

Department: Landscape Management

Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt

About the 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.

Job Summary:

The Foreperson of Natural Areas works closely with a team of ecologically minded professionals to ensure the conservation and protection of designated natural areas in Central Park- North Woods, Ramble, Dene Slope, and Hallett Nature Sanctuary. The Foreperson works under the guidance of the Assistant Manager of Natural Areas and is responsible for the daily direction of Natural Areas Technicians to ensure all work meets organizational standards.

Essential Duties:

The Foreperson is responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

• Work alongside Natural Areas Technicians to provide guidance in ecological restoration practices and understandings based on landscape needs and management goals
• Ability to train others to use systematic land management approaches to promote ecosystem health and services
• Teach and work alongside staff to plant, transplant, weed, control and dispose of invasive species, prune, conduct trail maintenance work, collect seeds, irrigate new plantings, perform tree care, oversee waterbody maintenance, perform general lawn care and trimming, and other related duties
• Oversee general hardscape maintenance within the Natural Areas along park drives and on walkways, including debris removal, fence installation and repair, graffiti removal, sign maintenance, and safety pruning  
• Guides staff to successfully meet Natural Areas and organizational standards of practice, safety, and other established requirements
• Support waste management operation by picking up and performing proper disposal of trash in landscapes and on paths; empties trash cans as necessary
• Supervise the snow removal program and perform duties of snow removal, with machines and physical labor
• Keep records and make written reports based on management directives and goals 
• Train staff to maintain tools and equipment in good working order and report items that require repair
• Cooperate with other staff within the department and other department personnel in completing assigned tasks
• Assist in the preparation of special events as needed
• Operate various types of equipment including light or medium weight trucks and tractors
• Assist teams to identify and lead volunteer projects
• Participates in continuous training towards professional development
• Interact with Park patrons in a professional manner
• Perform tours of the Woodlands discussing plants, ecology and maintenance as needed
• Report malfunctioning infrastructure, furnishings, safety hazards, quality of life issues
• Perform related work as assigned  

Qualifications:

• Professional work experience that includes a minimum of 4 years of increasingly responsible roles in natural areas land management; bachelor’s degree or equivalent education from accredited college or institution in a related field; demonstrated ability to work well and collaborate with others Valid Drivers’ License that must be maintained for duration of employment 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 all