Assistant Manager of Data Systems

Reports to: Manager of Data Systems

Department: Operational Planning and Administration

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Schedule: 7AM – 3:30PM, flexible to program needs

About 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 $1.5 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 $100 million.

Position Summary

The Assistant Manager of Data Systems aids in maintaining and managing the Central Park Conservancy’s Enterprise ArcGIS deployment, OpenGov Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) system, and related data platforms. This role provides data and administrative support for various departments throughout the Conservancy, as well as supporting or improving legacy workflows and developing new, data-driven processes and tools for various user groups. Reporting directly to the Manager of Data Systems, the Assistant Manager of Data Systems is part of a team dedicated to improving, standardizing, and aligning all park-based GIS and Operations data management functions to meet organizational goals and objectives. The Assistant Manager serves as the Data Systems team lead on assigned duties and ensures the successful implementation of accurate, data-driven processes. This position encompasses both technical responsibilities that require proficiency in data analysis and information management best practices as well as supervisory duties for effective project management and deliverable oversight.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the Data Systems team in delivering decision-support tools to various Conservancy user groups including upgrades and new feature deployment to existing products
• Oversee new initiatives and special projects for the Data Systems team; provide strategic leadership and expertise in the development of new tools and methodologies; serve as team representative in cross-department initiatives
• Identify and integrate new functionalities, procedures, or business processes across various departments
• Aid in the management of vendor contracts
• Assist with onboarding new staff and leading user trainings on GIS as well as other tools and technologies; help to identify and develop new training materials as needed
• Monitor and ensure staff engagement with technologies to support professional development and build capacity for further use of data-driven tools in decision-making practices
• Perform, review, and ensure work is conducted according to established organizational best practices in addition to project-specific requirements for functionality and standard operating procedures
• Work collaboratively and provide direction to data coordinators on data management best practices, appropriate methodologies, and workflow documentation
• Create custom queries, automations, scripts, and dashboards as needed using ArcGIS Enterprise, within the EAM system, or other related data platforms
• Generate and distribute routine maintenance summaries; ensure the functionality and efficiency of existing reports; assist with the development of new reports
• Create and deliver map or data requests on an as-needed basis, using GIS and database tools
• Ensure database integrity by maintaining data accuracy and consistency; routinely check for errors, anomalies, and duplications
• Maintain and troubleshoot internal web mapping and geospatial tools; publish and troubleshoot web services; develop and maintain custom Esri web applications
• Review, update, and maintain departmental standard operating procedures, memos, and correspondence
• Collaboratively develop, implement, and oversee field data collection projects using Field Maps or similar applications; ensure quality of field data entry by periodically accompanying field staff during data collection
• Provide software installation and upgrade support; assist users with software and device needs
• As needed, provide support on routine processes including but not limited to: service requests from field staff and other agencies, work order creation, turf and tree pest data management and reporting, asset maintenance, playground safety inspections, fleet inventory, and lifecycle data management

Additional Project-Based Work

As directed, the Assistant Manager of Data Systems will be responsible for project-based tasks or activities, either on a limited term basis or on an ongoing basis. This may include coordination of activities with other departments, tasks related to data, analytics, or geospatial software. Other examples may include conducting research, providing summary memos, and managing aspects of the park’s asset management program. These and other duties will be assigned as they are identified by the team as well as operations leadership.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college in a related field;
• 5 years of increasingly responsible experience in ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, or QGIS, including 2 years in the management and supervision of others; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to first bullet above.
• Expertise in ArcGIS Enterprise and/or ArcGIS Online, familiarity with all other ArcGIS products
• Experience with Python, R, SQL or a related language for data management and scripting purposes
• Experience in applying statistical tools and techniques across various data analysis scenarios and applications
• Experience with critically evaluating data to derive meaningful, actionable insights and recommendations
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrated experience with project management and the ability to produce decision-support tools
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of field and management staff across multiple projects; taking on leadership within existing programs or developing new programs with moderate guidance
• Ability to guide new end-users on how to utilize various data systems and develop procedural documentation on data management best practices
• Strong ability to define and solve problems using experience, sound judgement, and industry precedents
• Strong ability to learn on the job, take initiative within guidelines and policies, and allocate time to meet project deadlines
• Valid driver’s license, or ability to attain within 90 days after hire strongly desired. Accommodations relating to this requirement may be made on a per-case basis

Preferred Skills 

• Advanced experience using and administering ArcGIS Portal or ArcGIS Online
• Advanced understanding of relational database and geodatabase structure and function; experience with database administration and cloud-based systems
• Advanced experience with using or configuring mobile spatial data collection software such as Collector, Field Maps, QuickCapture, or Survey123
• Advanced experience creating data visualization tools and/or dashboards
• Advanced knowledge of cartography principles and best practices
• Demonstrated success in providing technical support and guidance on data management best practices
• Experience in one of the following or another related field: urban forestry, turf management, park management, natural resource or environmental management, municipal asset management, or public policy

Salary: $74K – $93K based on experience.

Note: This is an in-person (not remote) 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 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.