Manager of the Thain Family Forest

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

 Compensation: $81,000-$90,000

The Manager of the Thain Family Forest oversees an ongoing program of restoration, research, and education in the 50-acre old-growth Thain Family Forest and other natural areas of The New York Botanical Garden. The Manager supervises a full-time gardener and a full-time botanical garden aide who, with the support of volunteers, students, and interns, implement a full suite of forest restoration practices. The Manager coordinates the research of internal and external collaborators. The Manager collaborates with Science, Education, and Volunteer Services staff to oversee Citizen Science programs in the Garden's natural areas. The Manager gives tours and presentations, teaches in the NYBG Adult Education Program and School of Professional Horticulture, and serves as the primary contact for others who wish to use the Forest as an educational resource. The Manager represents the Garden in local, regional, and national collaborations and partnerships related to ecological restoration, invasive species management, and other topics in the field of applied conservation science.

Additionally, this position supports, through actions and conduct, NYBG’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility initiatives and helps to build and maintain an inclusive organization culture throughout the institution.

Responsibilities/Duties

Stewardship and Research Duties and Responsibilities:

  • • Develops and implements a program of education, research, and restoration in the 50-acre Thain Family Forest and in other natural areas in the Garden
  • • Develops and implements strategies to promote the growth and regeneration of native species and control the spread of invasive species within natural areas at The New York Botanical Garden
  • • Collaborates with NYBG scientists and external researchers to understand and document the biodiversity and ecology of the Thain Family Forest and other natural areas, both within NYBG and in our region, and to measure and manage the impacts of invasive species and other anthropogenic disturbances on forest processes

Education and Outreach Duties and Responsibilities:

  • • Collaborates with Education, Science, and Volunteer Services staff to develop and implement Citizen Science and educational programs in the Forest
  • • Partners with NYC Parks Natural Resources Group, the Bronx River Alliance, the Natural Areas Conservancy, the Lower Hudson PRISM, the NYS Invasive Species Advisory Council, NYC Restoration Practitioners, and other organizations to advance the practice of ecological restoration and the management of invasive species locally and regionally
  • • Supports internal and external research projects that use the Thain Family Forest and other sites within NYBG’s 250-acre landscape
  • • Collaborates with Public Engagement and Creative Services staff to develop and continually improve interpretive signage and other public education materials for the Forest
  • • Teaches classes for Adult Education and the School of Professional Horticulture, gives regular tours of the Forest, and makes presentations about the Forest and NYBG's conservation initiatives to various audiences
  • • Represents the Thain Family Forest, Horticulture, and NYBG in various media.

Administrative and Supervisory Responsibilities:

  • • Directly supervises a gardener and botanical garden aide and oversees students, interns, and volunteers who work in the Thain Family Forest and Citizen Science programs
  • • Manages budgets
  • • Identifies funding opportunities, writes grant applications, and administers grants
  • • Manages contracts including developing scopes of work, executing contracts, and supervising contractors in the field.

Institutional Responsibilities:

  • • Participates in strategic planning, trustee meetings, fundraising events, and other institutional events and activities
  • • Occasional weekend and evening work required
  • • Other related tasks as required.

Qualifications/Requirements

  • • Minimum three years of experience in the management of natural area restoration projects, including supervising staff
  • • Bachelor's degree in biology, ecological restoration, ecology, forestry or related field with expertise in the native plants of the northeastern United States and invasive species of the region required, Master’s degree preferred
  • • Demonstrated knowledge of the spontaneous flora of New York City and surrounding area
  • • Proficiency in forest mensuration, surveying, ecological sampling, and analysis
  • • Excellent communication abilities, including speaking, writing, and presentation skills
  • • Must be able to work outdoors in all weather. perform strenuous tasks, including moving 50 lbs, and work some weekends
  • • NYS Category 3A Pesticide Applicators Certification or the ability to obtain one within one year of hiring
  • • Proficiency in ArcGIS, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other software used in forest sampling, ecological research, citizen science, and professional communication

Contact Information

New York Botanical Garden
Website: Apply Online