Park Director 1

About the Organization

The New York City Region of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is one of twelve regions in New York State. Collectively, the Agency operates 250 State Parks and Historic Sites. The New York City Region includes 8 diverse parks located in the 5 counties comprising New York City:

• Bayswater Point State Park
• Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve
• Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park
• FDR Four Freedoms State Park
• Gantry Plaza State Park
• Marsha P. Johnson State Park
• Roberto Clemente State Park
• Shirley Chisholm State Park

The facilities in the region’s parks range from bucolic nature preserves to presidential monuments to multifaceted recreation campuses featuring an array of buildings, engineered systems, swimming facilities, and recreation facilities. The region is distinguished by its extensive public programming throughout each year.

Learn more about the NYC Region.

About the Role

The Park Director 1, M-1, is located at FDR Four Freedoms State Park on Roosevelt Island in the NYC Region. The incumbent reports to the Deputy Regional Director, M-4, and serves as the Park Director of FDR Four Freedoms State Park. The role involves managing the day-to-day operational needs of the park, including personnel, maintenance, events, permits, training, budgets, and security.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the overall operation of the park, including oversight of maintenance, operations, recreational programming, facility management, events, and permits.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive budget for the park and its individual work units.
• In collaboration with Park Police, establish and maintain safety and security programs, procedures, and protocols.
• Collaborate with the Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director, construction and engineering staff, and contractors in planning for park construction, renovation, and development projects.
• Regularly inspect the park to assess the quality of maintenance, horticultural management, and operations; develop plans for improvement, expansion, and development of park programs.
• Maintain positive relationships with partner organizations, governmental agencies, service providers, and other interested groups to maximize recreational and environmental education services.
• Develop and maintain a positive and collaborative relationship with the NYC Regional Management team.
• Actively participate in region-wide operations and special projects.
• Foster a culture of collaboration.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in any field AND either:
  • Four years of experience with a large and well-organized park and recreation system, OR
  • Four years of administrative experience that includes responsibility for organizing and directing a major program or group of programs. One year of this experience must be at a supervisory level.
• Substitution: An associate degree in any field and two years of the required specialized experience may substitute for the bachelor’s degree.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of constituents, including partner agencies, friends’ groups, donors, volunteers, researchers, contractors, and park patrons.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and activities simultaneously.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to comprehend written material, communicate clearly in writing, and prepare reports.
• Experience coordinating teams and supervising employees.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license that allows legal operation of a motor vehicle in New York State. If not licensed at the time of appointment, the appointee must obtain a license without restrictions or conditions within the probationary period.
• Availability to work weekends and holidays as needed.
• Willingness to occasionally support tasks and projects at other New York State Parks work sites in the New York City Region.

Benefits

Generous benefits package, worth approximately 65% of salary, including:

• Paid Time Off:
  • 13 vacation days
  • 8 sick days
  • 5 personal leave days
  • 13 holidays
  • 3 days of professional leave annually for development
• Health Care Benefits:
  • Affordable health insurance options for employees and dependents
  • Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• Additional Benefits:
  • New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) membership
  • Access to NYS Deferred Compensation, NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
  • Paid parental/family leave

Pay

This position is eligible for a $4,000 downstate adjustment.