Director of Gardens

Reports to: Vice President Landscape Management and Horticulture

Department: Park Operations

Status: Full-Time/Exempt

About Central Park and the Central Park Conservancy

Central Park is one of the world's most famous and beloved public spaces. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858, the 843-acre Park was the country's first purpose-built public park and is a National Historic Landmark and a New York Scenic 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 then, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of over $2 billion in the restoration of the Park, which now hosts over 40 million visitors a year.

The Conservancy is one of the largest and most successful public private partnerships in New York City and is considered a major civic institution given its impact on the health and vibrancy of both the Park and the City.  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. The Conservancy employs roughly 400 people and has an annual operating budget of $120 million.

Job Summary

The Director of Gardens is responsible for designing, curating and overseeing the perennial and seasonal plantings in the two formal gardens of Central Park: Conservatory Garden and Shakespeare Garden.  The Director supervises, trains, and works with the Assistant Curators and Gardeners, and oversees the deployment of an extensive group of volunteers who assist in the planting plans.  The Director collaborates with the Conservancy’s Landscape Management and Horticulture staff at all levels to contribute to broad excellence in horticulture and landscape maintenance across the Park.

The Director collaborates extensively with Volunteer Services and works closely with other departments throughout the organization to advance the stewardship of Central Park.

Summary of Essential Job Functions

The following provides a summary of the essential responsibilities of the Director. All work shall be performed in consideration of best practices for safety, sustainability and resource recovery, and should set a standard for excellence across the following areas:

• Design and Curation. The Director is responsible for the development and execution of planting plans on a frequent or seasonal basis. This entails:

• Creating and implementing complex planting designs for seasonal displays including annuals, herbaceous perennials, bulbs, and woody plants while preserving and enhancing existing garden collections. Responsibilities include plant selection and procurement; balancing aesthetic design considerations; plant performance, availability, color, and texture; and other factors.

• Mapping planting beds and peripheral garden areas and keeping records and inventory of all designed plantings.

• Respecting the Conservancy’s Sustainability Framework when making or recommending decisions related to plant selection and biodiversity.

• Horticulture and Plant Health. Work includes inspection and observation of areas of responsibility and formulation of tasks/projects for staff implementation. Such work includes supervision of planting and transplanting; soil sampling, amendment, and restoration; plant fertilization; weed control and pest management; operating and maintaining automatic irrigation systems; and other basic garden management activities such as mulching and pruning. The Director will establish standards and quality levels and will lead customized seasonal care for more than 450 species of perennial, annual, and woody plants, such as cutbacks, division, deadheading, etc.

• Personnel Management. The Director manages a staff of technically proficient Assistant Curators and Gardeners that perform a wide variety of tasks and projects. As a leader for this group, the Director will establish priorities for the department and will ensure clarity in performance requirements, work expectations, and standards of quality. Work includes staff performance reviews and consideration of strategies for staff retention and development.

• Volunteer Management. The Director will supervise projects and programs to organize and mobilize volunteers within the Gardens. Work will include oversight of the Assistant Curators and other Gardens team members to work closely with Volunteer Services or other groups to train and deploy large numbers of volunteers as scheduled and as required. Volunteer engagement includes significant mobilization related to annual bulb, Korean chrysanthemum, and other annual planting efforts.

• Collaboration. The Director will collaborate with a diverse group of partners at the Conservancy and beyond, including:

• Events Management: The Director will collaborate and communicate with CPC Special Events, Women’s Committee, Philanthropy, and related staff, contractors, or vendors who may be responsible for planning and implementing events or fundraising activities at the Gardens.

• Park Use: The Director will partner with:  Park Use for the successful deployment and response of the Central Park Rangers for daily patrols; with Community Relations for permits of weddings or events; and with Film/Events for support as needed.  (The Curator can approve specific date requests for these events based on garden maintenance schedules.)

• Park Maintenance & Infrastructure: The Director will collaborate on a regular basis on maintenance efforts related to buildings, trash/litter, bathrooms, fountains (ornamental or drinking), fences, irrigation, or other systems or infrastructure elements that require attention at the Gardens.

• Capital Projects: The Director will communicate, provide feedback, and perform coordination of operations related to capital investment efforts that may take place in the Gardens. Work includes collaboration to design, select, and/or advocate for plant choices and placement that are appropriate for the gardens.

• Communication and Administration. The Director is responsible for the departmental budget related to Garden activities, mapping, plant/equipment inventories, and other administrative efforts as may be identified as required or requested for the operation. The Director will provide updates on departmental activities as requested and will prepare data or other information for presentations or reports. Work includes leading tours, developing management plans and other documents that outline the work of Gardens, and providing assessment of work practices.

Qualifications

In addition to a deep appreciation for the historic design and importance of Central Park and its essential role in the City, the candidate should have:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Ornamental Horticulture (or life experience) equivalent, such as those offered by NYBG, Rutgers, NYSU Farmingdale
• 10+ years of supervisory experience with sound organizational and interpersonal skills
• 10+ years of park or garden management, horticulture, or related field
• Valid driver’s license
• Extensive working knowledge base of herbaceous, perennial and woody plants and their specific maintenance
• Knowledge of outdoor tools and mechanical equipment and their operation
• Ability to work in all weather conditions
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Salary range: $112,000 - $143,200 (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 follow 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.