Community Engagement Associate

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Start Date: April 1st, 2024  Compensation: $20/hour

The Forest Park Trust Inc. and the Forest & Highland Park Administration of NYC Parks, work together to oversee parks operations, maintenance, and special events. Forest Park is the third largest park in Queens, it features a historic bandshell, golf course, seven playgrounds, and the most continuous oak forest in the borough. Highland Park, located on the Brooklyn-Queens border features three playgrounds, tennis courts, sports fields and the historic Ridgewood Reservoir.

Responsibilities/Duties

  • Under the direction of the Landscape and Natural Areas Coordinator for Forest and Highland Park:
  • Schedule, post, and conduct outreach for various public-facing volunteer events
  • Engage with existing community groups and field volunteer project requests
  • Manage and supervise volunteers in a variety of outdoor settings including forest, wetlands, and formally landscaped areas of Forest and Highland Park
  • Work alongside our trails staff to maintain hiking trails (including corridor clearing, trail closures, drainage and erosion control) and forested natural areas
  • Work with staff gardeners on formal garden beds and young tree care as needed
  • Maintain records and prepare reports, including entering data into web-based forms and spreadsheets
  • In addition to administrative duties, this work may include the following: using various hand tools, invasive species removal, planting, cutting and carrying woody debris, installing fencing, and maintaining planting sites.

Qualifications/Requirements

  • Experience working with and motivating volunteers in an outdoor setting
  • A baccalaureate degree or certificate towards a degree in forestry, natural resource management, environmental science or related field and/or interest and experience working on trails and forest restoration projects.
  • Familiarly working with Microsoft Office and maintaining a database
  • Willingness to work weekends and occasional evenings, in inclement weather and ability to safely lift 50 lbs.
  • Knowledge of Eastern New York Flora and non - native invasive species.
  • Valid New York State driver license.

Contact Information

Forest Park Trust
Contact Name: Christina Perdos-Vullo
Email: christina.perdos@parks.nyc.gov
Phone: 718.235.4100