Director of Natural Resources Design & Construction

City of New York•Flushing, NY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT FULL-TIME ANNUALLY PAID PARKS EMPLOYEES 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. The Division of Environment and Planning aims to protect, restore, and expand New York City's green spaces and natural areas to maximize their benefits for environmental and community health and resilience. The Natural Resources Group (NRG) within Environment and Planning manages over 10,000 acres of natural areas across the five boroughs, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, and has secured tens of millions of dollars of grant from state, federal and private sources over the past decades to fund the restoration and management across these ecosystems.

Requirements

1. A valid New York State Registration as a Landscape Architect and a master's degree in landscape architecture from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of full-time, satisfactory experience in landscape architectural work; or NOTE: Current New York State Registration as a Landscape Architect must be maintained for the duration of your employment. The college or university must be accredited by regional, national, professional, or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
2. A valid New York State Registration as a Landscape Architect and four (4) years of full-time, satisfactory experience in landscape architectural work. NOTE: Current New York State Registration as a Landscape Architect must be maintained for the duration of your employment.
1. A valid New York State Registration as a Landscape Architect and a master’s degree in landscape architecture from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and three (3) years of full-time, satisfactory experience in landscape architectural work; or NOTE: Current New York State Registration as a Landscape Architect must be maintained for the duration of your employment.
2. A valid New York State Registration as a Landscape Architect; and four (4) years full-time, satisfactory experience in landscape architectural work. NOTE: Current New York State Registration as a Landscape Architect must be maintained for the duration of your employment.
SPECIAL NOTE: In addition to above qualification requirements, to be eligible for placement in Assignment Levels II and III, individuals must have at least one year of experience as a major contributor or a project leader on a complex project requiring additional and specific expertise in the disciplines needed to design or construct the project.
1. A valid New York State Registration as a Landscape Architect; and a master’s degree in landscape architecture from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of full-time, satisfactory experience in landscape architectural work; or NOTE: Current New York State Registration as a Landscape Architect must be maintained for the duration of your employment. The college or university must be accredited by regional, national, professional, or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
2. A valid New York State Registration as a Landscape Architect; and four (4) years full-time, satisfactory experience in landscape architectural work. NOTE: Current New York State Registration as a Landscape Architect must be maintained for the duration of your employment.
SPECIAL NOTE: In addition to above qualification requirements, to be eligible for placement in Assignment Levels II and III, individuals must have at least one year of experience as a major contributor or a project leader on a complex project requiring additional and specific expertise in the disciplines needed to design or construct the project.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Deputy Chief of NRG, with direction from the Chief of NRG and Assistant Commissioner of Environment & Planning, provide direction and oversight of all projects within the $250M capital portfolio of the Natural Resources Group.
Maintain a high standard of ecologically driven landscape architecture, habitat restoration, and stormwater green infrastructure.
With NRG Directors, promote collaboration with NRG’s physical scientists and natural resource managers to develop projects which improve ecological function with minimal external inputs and limited disruption to existing landscapes.
With the assistance of Deputy Directors, manage staff of landscape architects, construction project managers, foresters, environmental engineers and others to ensure all reports, drawings, estimates, specifications, and other project-related documents are developed in accordance with agency standards and regulatory requirements while prioritizing ecological drivers and outcomes.
Coach staff in design communication to varying audiences including, but not limited to, Community Boards, Parks Commissioners, the Public Design Commission, Landmarks Commission, and agency partners.
Ensure that project budgets are managed effectively throughout the span of projects. Communicate shortfalls and work collaboratively to reduce costs and/or obtain alternative funding via grants, New Needs requests, and/or elected officials.
Work with Deputy Chief and Chief to continually balance staff capacity and workload. Prepare staffing New Needs requests as required.
Oversee staff in the administration of contracts with design consultants and construction contractors, including the review and approval of payment requisitions and monitoring of contractors’ adherence to agency requirements.
Maintain a high standard of file management and record keeping. Work with staff to continually update standards for drawings, drawing notes, specifications and templates.
Work with Deputy Directors on hiring with an eye towards developing a safe and healthy working environment for people with varying backgrounds and training.
Assist in planning staff training programs and team building events.
Represent the agency and division at meetings, hearings, conferences and other venues.
Maintain relationships with nearby academic institutions.