Natural Areas Crew Leader

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Start Date: October 2025 to June 30, 2026  Compensation: $34.41/per hour - 35 hours per week

NYC Parks is the steward of over 30,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We look after 600,000 street trees, and two million more in parks.

The Division of Environment and Planning aims to protect, restore, and expand New York City's green spaces and natural areas to maximize their benefits for environmental and community health and resilience. The Natural Resources Group within Environment and Planning manages over 10,000 acres of natural areas across the five boroughs, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, and has secured tens of millions of dollars of grant from state, federal and private sources over the past decades to fund the restoration and management across these ecosystems.

Employees who work for 6 months or longer are eligible for healthcare benefits. All seasonal employees earn sick and annual leave. All employees receive free membership to our recreation centers.

Responsibilities/Duties

  • Under general supervision, plan and execute natural area projects including forest restoration and trail improvements in assigned field sites.
  • Coordinate with community groups and volunteers in completing restoration and trail improvements work, communicate project goals, and assign tasks. Foster and build positive community relationships.
  • Train and supervise crewmembers in completing restoration tasks including but not limited to identifying and removing invasive plants, planting native species, identifying and mitigating erosion concerns, and establishing and care of planting sites.
  • Plan and implement natural area project work in outdoor environments in all times of year and all-weather conditions. Work in varied habitat types including forests, wetlands, and grasslands while avoiding damage to sensitive plant communities.
  • Update online database with daily work completions. Utilize mapping platforms such as ArcGIS and data on ArcGIS Online to create and update
    maps, track work progress and communicate across teams, as well as to partners across the Agency and outside the Agency such as conservancies.
  • Coordinate with other staff to plan and participate in community volunteer stewardship events in natural areas, including planting, site maintenance, trail improvements and clean-ups.
  • Maintain and inventory tools, equipment and supplies for natural area projects.
  • Interact with staff and the public in a courteous and professional manner.

Qualifications/Requirements

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above
2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

  • Natural resource management experience, strong plant identification skills, ability to work outdoors year round.
  • Valid New York State driver License.
  • Deep understanding of NYC ecology and urban forest management, including native and problematic plant species, erosion mitigation and current
    best restoration science-based practices.
  • Strong communications and interpersonal skills.
  • Proficiency with technical tools and computer software, including ArcGIS.

Additional Information

Residency in New York City, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Putnam or Westchester counties required for employees with over two years of city service. New York City residency required within 90 days of hire for all other candidates.
Fees: Hired candidates will be subject to a processing fee of $85.00. Hired candidates who are not currently employed by the City will be subject to a $101.25 background check fee.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Go to cityjobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID# 724449.
  • All applicants must apply via cityjobs.nyc.gov. The City is no longer using ESS to accept applications.
  • Parks & City Employees: Include your ERN on your cover letter and resume.

POST DATE: 08/08/2025 POST UNTIL: FILLED

References will be required upon request. We appreciate the interest of all applicants. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Contact Information

NYC Parks Dept.