FOREPERSON- PARK MAINTENANCE

Job Description

Reports to: Manager, Park Maintenance

Department: Park Maintenance

Status: Full time, Non-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. 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 that time, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of approximately $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 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. 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 roughly 325 people and has an 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 general supervision of the Manager and Assistant Manager of Park Maintenance, the Foreperson is responsible for working alongside and providing direction to Park Maintainers and ensuring all work meets acceptable organizational practices of an assigned section. It is expected that the Foreperson will work across departments and with other staff in Park Operations to perform their primary tasks. The Foreperson schedule is determined by the needs of the department, which operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

Essential Duties:

• Work alongside and provide direction to Park Maintainers in an assigned section to ensure all work is performed to meet organizational standards, safety, and other established requirements.
• Monitor and guide Park Maintainers in the proper techniques of park maintenance and in the proper use and care of tools, carts, equipment, and materials
• Utilize available technology such as a work order system to increase department effectiveness, efficiency, and completion of work assignments
• Monitor and report on status of park conditions, waste cans and drop spots, signage, department vehicles, and other items related to Park Maintenance
• Provide regular and constructive feedback to Park Maintainers to maintain employee engagement and accountability and communicate concerns to supervisor
• Provide waste and recycling management care of park grounds by removing all litter and other debris matter from assigned areas. Sweep all paths, entrances, bench areas, stairways, perimeter, and other hard surface areas
• Coordinate and complete closures of all ballfields, playgrounds, landscapes, lawns, and comfort stations within an assigned section
• Perform snow removal and ice mitigation on paths, entrances, playgrounds, perimeter and other hard surfaces with machines and physical labor to provide appropriate levels of access as per established organizational standards
• Maintain surface drainage by keeping catch basins free of debris during heavy rain, ice, and snow
• Safely operate various types of equipment including light or medium weight trucks and tractors
• Collaborate with other departments within CPC on all events, vendors, concessions, and general Park use
• Interact with Park patrons in a professional manner and respond to staff needing support with interactions or emergencies
• Respond quickly to emergency situations including but not limited to storms and snow events
  

Minimum Requirements

• Associate degree from accredited college in a related field; 3 years of increasingly responsible experience in maintenance work in the field of groundskeeping, facilities, building or custodial management; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” above. However, all candidates must have demonstrated the ability to work well and collaborate with others
• Valid Drivers’ License that must be maintained for duration of employment
• Possess a fundamental understanding and knowledge of urban park, custodial/facility maintenance using modern practices
  

Abilities Required

Salary range: $49,800 - $59,400 (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