Assistant Manager, Playgrounds & Park Infrastructure

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Compensation: $70K to $75K (based on level of experience)

Reports to: Manager – Technical Services
Department: Infrastructure & Facilities
Status: Full-time, Exempt

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. Founded in 1980 to rescue the Park which had fallen into serious disrepair, the Central Park Conservancy has overseen the investment of over $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 the pace and pressures of city life, enhancing the enjoyment and well-being 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 over 300 people and has an annual 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:
Working under the supervision of the Manager, the Assistant Manager of Playgrounds is responsible for the supervision of the maintenance and repair of 21 playgrounds and other infrastructure throughout the park. The Assistant Manager is expected to supervise staff, work across departments, with outside agencies, and contractors to coordinate and advance the planning, assigning and completion of playground maintenance and repair tasks. The Assistant Manager of Playgrounds is expected to inspect, document, and assign maintenance and repair tasks for each playground to NRPA standards, monitor stock. and order replacement parts and equipment.

Responsibilities/Duties

Supervisory Responsibilities

Responsible for leading staff trainings in playground safety, maintenance, and repair
Responsible for supervising staff and preparing work schedules to meet daily and weekly workloads and projects for all playgrounds and park areas
Monitor project sites and perform facility, playground, and park inspections. Document and report unsatisfactory conditions, and assign maintenance and repair and preventative maintenance tasks through a computer-based work order system
Monitor staff engagement, productivity, compliance, and status of work assignments and take appropriate action based on findings
Provide consistent feedback to staff using established performance standards to support their professional development within the organization
Collaborate with the manager in the hiring, performance reviews and discipline of staff and make recommendations for improvement
Perform the duties of manager when they are absent
Participate and help coordinate staff meetings and trainings to share information, review safety procedures, and promote team building among staff

Collaboration

Coordinate work with staff of NYC Parks, other city agencies, and third-party contractors, following up as needed to ensure work is completed in a timely manner and consistent with all contract terms
Collaborate with CPC park supervision within Park Operations to achieve set work plan goals and provide support for CPC and other park events
Interact with park patrons in a professional manner
Be able identify and adapt to changing priorities

Program Management

Assist Manager in the development and management of a park and playground assets inspection program that meets and exceeds NYC Parks safety standards and NYC local laws
Manage a playground preventative maintenance program of all playground assets, hardware, and fixtures to ensure all equipment are functioning optimally
Support in the planning and supervision of contract services for park repairs and maintenance, including playground maintenance contracts and all work performed by outside contractors
Use computer-based management systems for work orders and inspections, asset management, purchasing, scheduling, and timekeeping
Maintain inventory and ensure proper care/storage of all tools, equipment, materials, and supplies to support predictive and regular maintenance of park equipment and assets
Solicit bids and initiate purchasing as needed to maintain stock, make repairs, and complete projects
Assist manager in the development of an annual budget and collaborate to monitor expenses throughout the year
Respond to emergency situations including but not limited to storms, snow events, utility outages, and infrastructure failures

Qualifications/Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of increasingly responsible experience in all aspects of playground maintenance including play structures, equipment, safety surface and water features.
A minimum of 5 years in the management and/or supervision of others.
Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certification or the ability to acquire within first 90 days.
Valid Driver’s License that must be maintained for duration of employment
Possess fundamental skills to perform playground and/or park infrastructure maintenance and repairs
Experience in urban campuses or parks is desirable

Abilities Required:

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 flexible hours, including weekends and holidays as needed
Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform heavy physical labor on a daily basis in all weather conditions

Additional Information

Salary range: $70K to $75K (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 potential 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

Contact Information

Central Park Conservancy
Website: Apply Online