JOB OPPORTUNITY Civil Service Title: Administrative Horticulturist Office Title: Director of Conservation Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Apply by May 9, 2014
BACKGROUND The Forestry, Horticulture, and Natural Resources division is responsible for citywide urban forestry, ecological and horticulture initiatives, policy standards and performance measures including street tree planting, Greenstreets, Green Infrastructure, natural areas restoration and horticultural training and education. The division also oversees and coordinates the activities of two nurseries, scientific work through the Urban Field Station and the MillionTreesNYC campaign. MillionTreesNYC, a public-private program to plant and care for one million trees across the City's five boroughs by 2015, recruits over 5,000 volunteers annually. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES * Under the direction of a Deputy Chief of Forestry, Horticulture and Natural Resources, with wide latitude for independent judgment and decision-making, oversee the division's conservation, natural area protection and adaptive management programs. * Work with other senior staff and division ecologists to manage and contribute to the development of thorough and timely environmental review of proposals, designs and impact statements with the potential of impacting Parks' 10,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and grasslands. * Monitor active projects constructed by other divisions, agencies and private entities impacting natural areas. * Manage a team of ecologists, wildlife biologists, planners and other scientists. * Coordinate monitoring programs for ecological restoration sites and other natural areas. * Work with other senior staff to oversee the implementation of an adaptive management program. * Work closely with the Urban Field Station directors to leverage additional research benefitting natural resource management. * Spearhead efforts to advance the effectiveness of Forever Wild designation through partnerships with Management and Operations, Concessions, Stewardship and other divisions. * Work with the Natural Areas Conservancy, to coordinate conservation research, policy and communication. 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. Excellent writing, administrative and interpersonal skills. Strong leadership skills and capacity to reconcile input from multiple stakeholders while meeting overall organizational objectives. 2. Master's degree in an ecological field, e.g. ecosystem ecology, wildlife biology, botany, wetlands ecology, restoration ecology. 3. Ten years of field experience in monitoring, restoration or interpretation of urban natural habitats, preferably in New York City. At least 5 years experience managing staff with diverse technical expertise. 4. Experience reading construction plans and environmental impact statements. 5. Full understanding of NYC ecology including plant and animal life as well as hydrological systems. 6. Collaborative work style. 7. Valid New York State driver License. TO APPLY: 1) Go to www.nyc.gov/careers/search 2) Search for Job ID# 149030
