Landscape Manager

JOB OVERVIEW

The Landscape Manager is responsible for overseeing, implementing, and tracking landscape restoration, beautification, and maintenance projects in the Park. This work includes hiring and supervising Zone Crews and other staff, collaborating with other departments, and coordinating volunteer activities. The Landscape Manager upholds and implements the policies and standards for ecological restoration and sustainable ecological horticulture in both aquatic and terrestrial areas of Prospect Park.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / KEY JOB OUTCOMES

Supervision of Zone Crews & Activities

• Assign, track, and coordinate work of zone crews in field projects
• Work with zone crews to complete zone survey on a regular basis and, in consultation with and under the direction of the Deputy Director of Landscape Management, set priorities for upcoming works
• Ensure that daily work records are completed and are entered into work-tracking database
• Report on a regular basis progress towards goals laid out in zone survey
• Approve timesheets and use of benefit time for employees
• Ensure that injury, illness and incident reports are filled out by assigned staff
• Interview, hire, train and develop employees in conjunction with Deputy Director and in accordance with People & Culture policies
• Work with direct reports to develop individual performance and learning goals, support them in that process and conduct quarterly check-ins and performance reviews
• Oversee and report on work done by contractors within assigned work area
• Ensure the training of zone crews in restoration and maintenance of park landscapes
• Help to maintain good working relationships and resolve conflicts between team members and across the organization
• Document, share, and celebrate your team’s work and progress
• Maintain a tool inventory spreadsheet for individual zones
• Identify training opportunities and conference beneficial for the team

Restoration & Maintenance of Park Landscapes

• Work with Senior forest ecologist and crew members to identify areas for Spring and Fall planting, develop planting plans/designs and plant lists
• Prepare and maintain planting sites by clearing and removing debris, raking and leveling soil, implementing erosion control techniques, and/or digging holes
• Manual and mechanical vegetation control in all areas of the park
• Prune trees and shrubs as required for project goals, safety, and aesthetics
• Cut, clear, and remove debris in landscape as a result of storms or general tree aging
• Plant and/or seed prepared areas
• Formalize and maintain natural area trail system by installing and/or remove fencing, woodchips, signage, and rustic rails
• Remove litter and clear blocked drains
• Remove hazards in the park and/or mitigates hazardous situations
• Assist crews from LMO and M&O when necessary for emergencies, storm response, special events or specific projects
• Remove snow from assigned areas as needed

Vehicle, Equipment, Tool, & Workspace Operation & Maintenance

• Operate vehicles (e.g., truck, utility vehicle, tractor), power equipment (e.g., chainsaw, string trimmer, mower, brush hog, woodchipper, and hedge trimmer), and various hand tools safely
• Keep an inventory of tools and equipment and communicate with supervisor about additional tool and equipment needs
• Maintain vehicles, tools, equipment, and shared workspaces as per standards set out by supervisor; communicate issues with vehicle, tool, and equipment safety to supervisor as they arise
• Work with Deputy Director to train people on more dangerous or complicated equipment tools and equipment such as chainsaw, chipper, tractor, and weed harvester

Facilitate science in the park 

• Collaborate with Senior Forest Ecologist and Forester on ecological data collection and usage in the park
• Coordinate with students, schools, universities, and governmental organizations on science

Volunteer Management & Public Engagement

• Plan and implement volunteer projects
• Coordinate, track, lead, and document work completed by volunteers and interns in Prospect Park
• Interact with the public to help resolve issues, provide information, and answer general park questions
• Represent Prospect Park Alliance professionally by being courteous, informed, and in uniform

 Performs other job-related duties and functions as assigned

Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or other relevant discipline with three (3) years’ experience respectively in landscape management operations or natural resource management in a public park setting; or five years’ experience in lieu of a degree. In either case, must have at least three (3) years’ experience in a managerial or leadership role leading a team
• A valid NYS Driver’s License required
• A valid NYS Class B CDL would be a plus
• ISA and CERP certificate would be a plus
• Certification in CPR, first aid, and lifesaving certificate would be a plus
• Familiarity with GIS would be a plus

COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills & Personal Attributes)

• Passion for the Alliance Mission & Core Values: A passion for public parks and environmental conservation combined with a commitment to treating others with respect, appreciating individual differences and embracing the values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Ethics & Integrity: Earns the trust and respect of others through a consistent commitment to integrity, honesty and professionalism in all interactions.
• Landscape Management Knowledge: Proficient in plant identification for northeast US region, use of landscape tools, experience with ecological restoration and/or sustainable ecological horticulture. Proper planting and pruning techniques.
• Landscape Quality: Recognize landscapes and/or places as assets with the potential to improve health and wellbeing. Adopts the principles of healthy places that improve the physical aspects of the landscape (air, water, woodlands and soil quality). Promote quality interventions that integrate both the function and identity of a landscape and/or place, putting land, water, drainage, energy, community, economy, infrastructure and other such resources to the best possible use.
• Health and Safety: Comply with relevant health and safety legislation and regulation and organizational policies. Manages risk including the identification of hazards, assessment of risks and implementation of control measures. Manages own safety and that of others.
• Results and Impact Focus: Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and be highly motivated to consistently produce high quality work and achieve desired outcomes and results.
• Relationship Building: Builds constructive and positive working relationships with colleagues and co-workers characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation and mutual respect.
• Communication Skills: Superior written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and the ability to convey concepts and make presentations in a clear, culturally competent and understandable manner. Demonstrates effective listening skills and openness to other people’s ideas and suggestions.
• Planning, Organizing & Problem-Solving: Able to manage multiple projects effectively. Defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives and ensures the optimal use of resources to effectively solve problems and accomplish work objectives. Alerts others to possible problems in a timely fashion and knows when to seek support and direction from others to solve problems, while offering possible solutions. Acts on solutions selected and decisions made.
• Staff Management & Coaching: Inspires confidence and motivates team members. Enables staff to grow and be successful in achieving goals through meaningful feedback, instruction, encouragement, support and professional development.
• Budget Management: Makes effective decisions about department priorities. Proposes defensible budgets and works to control expenditures. Ensures appropriate resources are available to meet capability and capacity required by objectives. Ensures policies, procedures and measures are in place to support achievement of objectives.
• Decision-Making & Judgment: Integrates broad knowledge of information sources, garners insight from abstract data that can be used to assess problems and exercises sound judgment to make decisions. Thoroughly analyzes impact of possible solutions and decisions and shares probable impacts based on experience. Is proactive in deciding best course of action, anticipating likely outcomes or implications.
• Organization & Accountability: Meticulously well-organized with diligent attention to detail, ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and takes pride in consistently producing accurate, timely and quality work products with minimal supervision.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Committed to working in collaboration with others, promoting cooperation and commitment to others and being a positive team contributor.
• Results and Impact Focus: Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and highly motivated to consistently produce high quality work and achieve desired outcomes and results.
• Project Management: Makes effective decisions about department priorities. Proposes defensible budgets and works to control expenditures. Ensures appropriate resources are available to meet capability and capacity required by objectives. Ensures policies, procedures and measures are in place to support the achievement of objectives.
• Technology: Proficient with automated technologies that support area of responsibility including G-Suite and Microsoft Office Suite..

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work is performed in both an interior office setting which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unusual elements and the field, which involves exposure to challenging elements such as extreme dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, loud noises, chemicals, etc. and exposure to potentially hazardous substances, or other significant job environmental risks
• Requires operating a motor vehicle; operating equipment where carelessness could result in injury; standing for extended periods of time; stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, lifting, pushing, pulling and/or crawling; use of manual dexterity and fine motor skills; use of a desktop, laptop or video display terminal and identifying and distinguishing colors and shades of color
• Requires manual labor with moderate physical exertion (consistent need to lift, push, pull, carry, etc. up to 50 lbs.). May require special safety precautions, such as working around moving parts, machines or with irritant chemicals and use of protective clothing or gear
• Requires communicating information with co-workers, stakeholders and/or the public; reading correspondence, instructions and/or technical documents; writing correspondence and/or reports and filling in forms

COMPENSATION + BENEFITS

• Job Grade: 4 (First-Line Managerial + Skilled Professionals)
• Salary Range: $67,0000 – 75,000 annual gross earnings
• Work Hours: 40 hours per week minimum

*Pay offered is based on a number of factors including job-related knowledge, skills and experience

The Alliance offers a comprehensive benefits package including: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision,
• Supplemental Options (AFLAC, Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care FSA + Commuter Benefits, Pet Insurance)
• 403b Contributions + 2% Employer Match

Diversity Makes Us Stronger Together: Prospect Park Alliance serves park users of all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and strives to reflect this diversity throughout our operations and in our leadership, staff, stakeholders and supporters. We know that by creating an equitable and inclusive workplace built on mutual respect and the appreciation of difference, our employees will feel safe to express themselves, voice their opinions and work together to find common ground and solutions. Integral to this vision is our longstanding commitment to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.