A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in a related field and three years of increasingly responsible experience, or equivalent education and experience.
A valid driver's license must be maintained throughout employment.
Fundamental understanding and knowledge of customer service and/or volunteer management.
Fundamental understanding and knowledge of landscape maintenance, including the cyclical care of ornamental and native plant material through planting, pruning, weeding, and removals.
Ability to provide oral and written communication that is easily understood and direct in its content.
Ability to use critical thinking to prioritize issues, coordinate multiple projects, and solve problems.
Knowledge of computer equipment and Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as part of regularly scheduled shifts, including regularly scheduled Saturdays.
Ability to lift 50 pounds and perform heavy physical labor daily in all weather conditions.
Responsibilities
Work with the Manager, Assistant Manager, and Foreperson to identify projects and sites appropriate for volunteer groups.
Coordinate, schedule, plan, and implement projects involving individuals who volunteer their time, including adult, family, teen, school, and corporate groups.
Communicate with volunteers by email and phone regarding assignments and general correspondence.
Provide hands-on site supervision to volunteers performing landscape activities such as weeding, sweeping, raking, planting, pruning, and mulching.
Work alongside volunteers and provide instruction and guidance on landscape-management techniques and the proper use and care of tools, equipment, and materials.
Monitor and ensure volunteer engagement, productivity, compliance, and the status of work assignments.
Maintain simple records and prepare written reports, including regular tracking of volunteer hours and attendance and other reports required by the Volunteer Department.
Ensure all work complies with the established annual work plan.
Inspect and ensure that work meets organizational standards for methods and practices, safety, and other established requirements.
Maintain tools and equipment in good working order, report items requiring repair, and ensure volunteers have appropriate uniforms.
Operate equipment including golf carts, light or medium-weight trucks, and tractors.
Work with the Section landscape team on duties such as picking up trash, opening playgrounds, string trimming, cleaning paths, and group projects when volunteer projects are canceled or not scheduled.
Cooperate with staff within the department and other departments to complete assigned tasks.
Assist in preparing special events as needed.
Interact with park patrons in a professional manner.
Report malfunctioning infrastructure, furnishings, safety hazards, and quality-of-life issues daily.
Perform related work as assigned.
Reports to: Manager, Landscape Management
Department: Landscape Management.
Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time
About 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 $2 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 the pace and pressures of city life, enhancing the enjoyment and wellbeing of all. The City of New York has formally entrusted the care of the Park to the Conservancy which is responsible for every aspect of the Park’s 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 400 people and has an operating budget of $120 million.
The Position
Working under the general supervision of the Manager, the Volunteer Coordinator is the primary liaison between Landscape Management staff and CPCs volunteer office and is responsible for the daily direction of volunteers working at pre-determined projects and ensuring all work meets acceptable organizational practice. It is expected that the Volunteer Coordinator will work across departments and with other staff in Park Operations to perform their primary tasks.
Essential Duties
Work with the Manager, Assistant Manager, and Foreperson to identify projects and sites appropriate for volunteer groups.
Coordinate, schedule, plan and implement all projects that involve individuals who are volunteering time. This includes but is not limited to adult, family, teen, school and corporate groups.
Communicate with volunteers via email and phone regarding assignments and other general correspondence
Provide hands on site supervision to volunteers on landscape activities such as weeding, sweeping, raking, planting, pruning and mulching.
Work alongside volunteers and provide instruction to and guides in the proper techniques of landscape management and in the proper use and care of tools, equipment and materials
Monitor and ensure volunteer engagement, productivity, compliance and status of work assignments
Keep simple records and make written reports including regular tracking of volunteer hours and attendance and any other required reports needed by the Volunteer Department
Ensures all work is in accordance with established annual work plan
Inspects and ensures all work is performed to meet organizational standards of methods and practices, safety and other established requirements
Maintain tools and equipment in good working order and report items that require repair; ensures volunteers have appropriate uniforms
Operate various types of equipment including golf carts, light or medium weight trucks and tractors
Collaboration
Duties in addition to the volunteer responsibilities include working with the Section landscape team when volunteer projects are cancelled or not scheduled. These duties include, but are not limited to, picking up trash, opening playgrounds, string trimming, cleaning paths and group projects.
Cooperate with other staff within the department and other department personnel in completing assigned tasks
Assist in the preparation of special events as needed
Interact with Park patrons in a professional manner
Daily reports of malfunctioning infrastructure, furnishings, safety hazards, quality of life issues
Perform related work as assigned
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree from accredited college in a related field; 3 years of increasingly responsible experience; demonstrated ability to work well and collaborate with others; or
Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” above. However all candidates must have demonstrated the ability to work well and collaborate with others
A valid Drivers’ License must be maintained throughout the duration of employment
Possess a fundamental understanding and knowledge of customer service and/or volunteer management.
Possess a fundamental understanding and knowledge of landscape maintenance; ornamental and native plant material cyclical care including planting, pruning, weeding, and removals
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 allow for prioritizing issues, coordinating multiple projects and problem solve
Knowledge of computer equipment and Microsoft Office applications
Ability to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as part of regularly scheduled shifts. Ability to work overtime as needed. Ability to work Saturdays as regularly scheduled.
Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform heavy physical labor on a daily basis in all weather conditions
Salary range: $65K - $83,400 (based on level of experience)
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.