Natural Areas Technician I - Central Park

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

 Compensation: $40K to $52K (based on level of experience)

About Central Park and 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 $1 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 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. 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 roughly 325 people and has an operating budget of $80 million. The Conservancy recently completed a seven-year plan, Central Park Conservancy, A Plan for the Stewardship of Central Park: 2020-2027, which focuses on the ongoing capital investment of the last four decade’s investment of more than $1 billion into Central Park. 

The Position

The Natural Areas Technician position works closely with a team of ecologically minded professionals to ensure the conservation and protection of designated natural areas in Central Park (i.e., North Woods, Ramble, Dene Slope, and Hallett Nature Sanctuary). The Natural Areas Technician works under the guidance of the Natural Areas Manager, Assistant Manager, and Foreperson.

Responsibilities/Duties

Technical Responsibilities:  

  • Provide general landscape care based on unique needs of the Natural Areas (i.e., woodland, wetland, and meadow management).
  • Apply land management practices to control invasive species and steward native plants to promote ecosystem health and services according to an established schedule of organizational standards.
  • Planting/weeding (i.e., herbs, vines, shrubs, and trees), trail work, corridor pruning, transplanting, seed collection, watering, lawn care and other related duties.
  • Provide general hardscape maintenance within the Natural Areas (e.g., sweeps around benches/stairs, clears paths of debris, removes graffiti, fence installation and repair).
  • Keep simple records (e.g., tracking plantings).
  • Maintain surface drainage by keeping catch basins free of debris during heavy rainstorms and remaining snow and ice in the winter months.
  • Support waste management operation by picking up and performing proper disposal of trash in landscapes and paths; empties trash cans as necessary.
  • Perform snow removal and ice mitigation on paths with machines and physical labor to provide appropriate levels of access as per established organizational standards.

Collaboration & Communication:  

  • Ability to use Microsoft Office and other software applications.
  • Works with and teaches volunteers and seasonal interns.
  • Seeks out and participates in training sessions and seminars.
  • Cooperate with other staff within the department and other department personnel in completing tasks.
  • Displays the necessary initiative and dependability to work alone or in groups and makes regular contributions to solving section-based problems.
  • Interact with park patrons and colleagues in a courteous and professional manner.
  • Assist in the preparation of special events as needed.

Related Work:  

  • Operate various types of equipment including utility vehicles.
  • Maintain tools and equipment in good working order and reports items that require repair.
  • Reports on malfunctioning infrastructure, safety hazards, and quality of life issues.
  • Perform related work as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements

  1. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college in a related field; OR
  2. Professional work experience in overall land management and/or natural areas land management; OR
  3. Education and/or experience equivalent to the above.
  4. Valid Driver’s License that must be maintained for duration of employment.

Additional Requirements for Assignment to Natural Areas Technician II

  1. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience in natural areas land management that is equivalent to 5 years’ experience.
  2. Demonstrated competency of essential job functions.
  3. CPC Internal Candidates - A satisfactory performance evaluation during each year of employment.
    Abilities Required
  4. Ability to identify native and non-native plants specific to the northeast.
  5. Ability to work overtime, weekends and holidays as needed.
  6. Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform heavy physical labor daily in all weather conditions.

Additional Information

Salary range: $40K to $52K (based on level of experience)
Note: This is an 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. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Contact Information

Central Park Conservancy
Website: Apply Online