Director of Ecological Design

Director of Ecological Design

The mission of Forestry, Horticulture and Natural Resources (FHNR) is to protect, restore, expand and manage New York City’s natural spaces and green infrastructure to maximize their benefits and promote their value within and outside of the urban ecosystem.

Major Responsibilities
•    Reporting to the Chief of FHNR, with direction from the Assistant Commissioner, manage a staff of landscape architects, environmental and civil engineers and others to oversee design of ecological restoration and green infrastructure practices citywide, including the design and supervision of contracts for the construction and retrofitting of parkland for stormwater capture (raingardens, permeable pavement, sub-surface storage, etc.) 
•    Provide review and quality control for FNHR to ensure all green infrastructure and ecological restoration designs and construction documents are developed in accordance with agency standards and regulatory permit requirements.
•    Oversee review of other agency designs including Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Design and Construction (DDC), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and other agencies and consultants to assess opportunities for green infrastructure and ecological restoration.
•    Work closely with DEP and other Parks divisions to create and execute Green Infrastructure in parks across the city, including the design, construction, maintenance and monitoring of bio-retention systems and retro-fitted parkland. Work with borough staff and interagency partners to develop green infrastructure design and maintenance solutions to construction and maintenance challenges. 
•    Pursue grant and other funding to expand green infrastructure and other ecological restoration planning, design, implementation and assessment projects. Maintain partnerships with research organizations studying green infrastructure and other ecological restoration issues relevant to Parks.
•    Oversee staff in the administration of contract budgets, production of construction reports, review and approval of payment requisitions and monitoring of contractors’ adherence to agency plans and specifications.
•    Assist in planning staff training programs and perform staff evaluations.
•    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. 

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.    Five years of experience in a supervisory capacity in engineering, landscape architecture, horticulture, arboriculture or other related areas.
2.    Excellent leadership, writing and oral communication skills.
3.    Strong horticultural and arboricultural knowledge and experience with design and construction.
4.    Familiarity with urban landscapes (in particular New York City) and Northeast plants and expertise in stormwater capture technology.
5.    Fluency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, CAD and ArcGIS.
6.    Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage a wide range of projects.
7.    Proven track record of goal-based accomplishments.
8.    A valid New York State driver license.

Salary: $95K - $110K plus excellent benefits

Apply by 06/07/19

For external applicants, please apply through www.nyc.gov/careers
1)    Go to www.nyc.gov/careers/search
2)    Search for Job ID#:  394426

For details about NYC Parks: www.nyc.gov/parks