Manager – Tree Care

Reports to: Director of Landscape Services
Department:  Tree Care
Status:  Full-Time, 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.
 
Job Summary
Working under the general direction of the Director of Landscape Services, the Manager – Tree Care is primarily responsible for the overall management of the tree care program within Central Park and must operate as a partner with the other departments of the Conservancy.

The Manager’s role encompasses program management, team leadership, and administration of an established, highly respected tree care program. This position presents a unique opportunity for an experienced person to leverage the Conservancy’s existing tree care program as a foundation to elevate its standards and establish it as the premier tree care program in the United States. By increasing the public profile of the tree care program, we aim to enhance the Conservancy’s overall reputation. This vision should resonate with all applicants, as we seek individuals who share our aspiration for excellence.

The Manager – Tree Care is a position of great impact and importance to the work of the Conservancy. The ideal candidate is driven by excellence, is an exceptional collaborator and is a compelling communicator. 

 
Essential Duties 

Program Management

• Follow the established tree care program and develop measurements against and regularly report on progress of set annual work plan. Continually assess, modify, and enhance procedures, protocols, and initiatives.
• Create schedules and coordinate maintenance priorities and work schedules with other department Managers to ensure all work is performed consistently throughout the Park.
• Establish written work procedures and management plans, with a focus on the implementation and maintenance of CPC’s Urban Forestry Management Plan.
• Working with Director of Landscape Services and other Managers, develop an annual budget and monitor expenses throughout the fiscal year; also develop future fiscal year planning for large expenditure purchases of equipment, vehicles, supplies or contracted services; follow all proper procurement procedures set by CPC.
• Working with internal Development team provide annual grant updates and assist with tree endowment requests.
• Make all purchase requests and provide supporting documentation justifying requests as necessary; solicit and obtain all necessary bids and quotations for pricing.
• Use computer-based management systems for budget control, scheduling, timekeeping, and inspections.
• Collect detailed records and ensure accuracy of data related to the tree care program. Prepare presentations and reports associated with tree care programs and schedules.
• Prepare and manage all contracted services related to tree care, ensure contractor compliance, and maintain records for service provided.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Hire, supervise and perform annual performance reviews of all employees and ensure supervision and performance measurements are aligned with CPC standards.
• Lead and coach employees using established performance management and staff development effort providing consistent feedback.
• Delegate and ensure that reports are responsible for satisfactory performance of assignments.
• Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate level managers, department’s work plan. Meets with management and staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Working with the Director of Landscape Services, implement training programs for safety and work techniques that are current with professional standards and administered at appropriate intervals; keeps current on safety rules and procedures; review on an annual basis.

Collaboration

• Coordinate with NYC Parks and other city agencies as necessary.
• Collaborate with other Managers in other departments within Park Operations to achieve set work-plan goals.
• Coordinate with the Capital Projects department (planning, design, and construction) pertaining to tree care management and planning decisions; for example, ensure the maintenance of view sheds and other tree related programs that are rooted in the landmarked design of the Park.
• Coordinate and communicate with other departments at CPC and disseminate pertinent information to employees. Provide significant regular engagement with CPC Communications team for the development of content related to the tree care program.
• Keeps Director of Landscape Services informed of all matters as they relate to risk management decisions and contracted work.

Related Work

• Maintain inventory control and proper care of all tools, equipment, supplies and staff uniforms.
• Responds effectively and in a timely manner to administrative requests.
• Respond to and manage emergency situations including but not limited to storms and snow events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements 

• Bachelor’s Degree from accredited college in Arboriculture or related field; 10 years of increasingly responsible experience in maintenance work in the field of tree care maintenance including a minimum of 8 years in the management and supervision of others; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” above. However, all candidates must possess the 8 years of management and supervision of others
• Valid Drivers’ License – A Class B Commercial Drivers’ License valid in the State of New York within one year of being appointed to this position and must be maintained for duration of employment.
• ISA Certification and TRAQ
• NYS Commercial Pesticide Applicators License category 3A obtained within 6 months of hired and maintained for duration of employment
• Possess a fundamental understanding and knowledge of tree physiology using modern arboriculture practices; experience in urban tree care maintenance is desirable.
• Past tree climbing and aerial lift operation to provide expert oversight and guidance to field crews, though direct climbing or lift use is not part of the day-to-day role.
• Demonstrated use of GIS software such as Cartegraph.

Abilities Required 

• Ability to provide both oral and written communication that is easily understood and direct in its content
• Ability to engage in critical thinking skills that allow for prioritizing issues, coordinating multiple projects and problem solve
• Knowledge of computer equipment and Microsoft Office applications and management systems
• Ability to work overtime, weekends and holidays as needed, in person or on call
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform heavy physical labor on a daily basis in all weather conditions

Salary range: $120,000 – $145,000 (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 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 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.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.