Natural Areas Technician I or II

Reports to: Manager of Natural Areas   

Department: Landscape Management 

Status:  Full-Time/Non-Exempt 

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.

The Position: 

The Natural Areas Technician works closely with a team of ecologically minded professionals to ensure the conservation and protection of designated natural areas in Central Park (i.e., North Woods, Ramble, Dene Slope, and Hallett Nature Sanctuary). The Natural Areas Technician works under the guidance of the Natural Areas Manager, Assistant Manager, and Foreperson to provide all manner of care to these landscapes within the park. It is expected that the Natural Areas Technician will work within and across their Section and with other staff in Landscape Management to perform their primary tasks.  

Essential Duties 

Technical Responsibilities:   

• Provide general landscape care based on unique needs of the Natural Areas (i.e., woodland, wetland, and meadow management).
• Apply land management practices to control invasive species and steward native plants to promote ecosystem health and services according to an established schedule of organizational standards.
• Planting/weeding (i.e., herbs, vines, shrubs, and trees), trail work, corridor pruning, transplanting, seed collection, watering, lawn care and other related duties.
• Provide general hardscape maintenance within the Natural Areas (e.g., sweeps around benches/stairs, clears paths of debris, removes graffiti, fence installation and repair).
• Keep simple records (e.g., tracking plantings).
• Maintain surface drainage by keeping catch basins free of debris during heavy rainstorms and remaining snow and ice in the winter months.
• Support waste management operation by picking up and performing proper disposal of trash in landscapes and paths; empties trash cans as necessary.
• Perform snow removal and ice mitigation on paths with machines and physical labor to provide appropriate levels of access as per established organizational standards.

Collaboration & Communication: 

• Works with and teaches volunteers and seasonal interns.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and other software applications.
• Seeks out and participates in training sessions and seminars.
• Cooperate with other staff within the department and other department personnel in completing tasks.
• Displays the necessary initiative and dependability to work alone or in groups and makes regular contributions to solving section-based problems.
• Interact with park patrons and colleagues in a courteous and professional manner.
• Assist in the preparation of special events as needed.

Related Work:   

• Operate various types of equipment including utility vehicles.
• Maintain tools and equipment in good working order and reports items that require repair.
• Participate in all training sessions and seminars
• Reports on malfunctioning infrastructure, safety hazards, and quality of life issues.
• Perform related work as assigned.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree or other equivalent education in a related field and professional work experience in natural areas land management
• Fundamental understanding and working knowledge of ecological restoration and natural areas land management
• Ability to identify native and non-native plants specific to the northeast US
• Valid Driver’s License that must be maintained for duration of employment
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed
• Ability to lift 50lbs and perform heavy physical labor on a daily basis in all weather conditions

Additional Requirements for Assignment to Natural Areas Technician II 

• A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience as described above in natural areas land management that is equivalent to at least 5 years’ experience.
• Proficient understanding and working knowledge of ecological restoration and natural areas land management.
• CPC Internal Candidates:
  • Demonstrated full proficiency of essential job duties
  • Satisfactory performance evaluation

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

Salary range:    

Natural Areas Technician I:            $42,000 – $51,000 (based on level of experience)  

Natural Areas Technician II:           $48,000 – $58,000 (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.