Chief of Forestry & Horticulture
(Management & Executives)
Full Time
New York City, New York, United States
NYC Parks is the steward of nearly 30,000 acres of land - 14 percent of New York City - including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 67 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 600,000 street trees and two million more in parks.
We are New York City's principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events and cultural festivals.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. www.nyc.gov/parks
Work Location: Olmsted Center, Queens
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
• Under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner of Forestry, Horticulture & Natural Resources, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and decision-making, oversee programs including citywide forestry operations management and analysis, tree preservation, street tree procurement and planting, tree work permits, building plan review, forestry emergency response and horticulture management.
• Provide senior-level management for the design, procurement and implementation of capital, expense and grant-funded Street Tree Planting and Trees & Sidewalk programs.
• Provide leadership in enforcing forestry performance management standards to provide the highest level of customer service.
• Contribute to the division’s stewardship efforts and apply GIS & analytical tools, scientific research, monitoring and adaptive management to enhance policy decisions and program management.
• Work with senior staff on all associated budget, procurement, personnel, administrative, productivity reporting, database management, tracking and related programs.
• Develop policy to ensure coordination and effective delivery of forestry and horticulture services to other divisions of the Agency, other agencies and the public.
• Manage and motivate assigned staff to meet agency objectives. Help plan and implement staff training programs, and perform staff evaluations. Communicate clearly and effectively with all levels of management.
• Pursue grants and funding and develop partnerships with other agencies, environmental groups and universities.
• Manage complex jobs and projects that require prompt attention and resolution. Address and resolve time-sensitive issues that impact agency services and/or completion of division and agency initiatives.
• Represent the Agency and division at meetings, hearings, conferences and other venues.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college with major study in horticulture, arboriculture or landscape architecture and four years of full-time, paid experience in horticultural work of which two (2) years must have been in a supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial or executive capacity; or
2. A satisfactory equivalent. However, all candidates must have at least a high school diploma or evidence of having passed an examination for a high school equivalency diploma and one year of supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial or executive experience as described above.
NOTE: Residency in New York City, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Putnam or Westchester counties required for employees with over two years of city service. New York City residency required for all other candidates.
PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS
1. A master’s degree with a specialization in forestry or a related subject; or 10 years of experience in forestry or a related field.
2. Strong knowledge of agency structure and divisions and/or government operations.
3. Excellent management, administrative, supervisory and communication skills. Proven record of goals-based accomplishment.
4. At least five years of direct supervision
Compensation
$120,000 - $130,000 plus excellent benefits