Assistant Commissioner for Planning and Parklands

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 185,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

55a Program

Public loan forgiveness information

Job summary

City of New York’s NYC Parks seeks an Administrative Staff Analyst to lead planning and policy initiatives for land use, park development, and open space projects in Manhattan. You will guide strategy under senior leadership, coordinate environmental reviews, and help advance capital improvements aligned with the agency’s mission.

The role requires strong analytical capabilities, extensive planning experience, and the ability to collaborate with diverse partners and government entities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with planning focus and 10 years urban planning or related experience preferred.
• Advanced experience in fiscal and personnel management, contracts, and inventory management.
• Proven ability to work with municipal agencies and diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and provide strategy for complex land use policy and park development projects.
• Coordinate land use policy, development initiatives, and environmental reviews.
• Direct resiliency and climate change planning efforts for the Agency.
• Represent the Agency externally with community leaders and elected officials.

Skills

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Leadership

Education

Master's degree in planning or related field

Bachelor's degree + 4 years of relevant experience

Job description

• This vacancy is only open to 1) current permanent City employees serving in the Administrative Staff Analyst civil service title or 2) on leave from the title or 3) permanent City employees in or on leave from a comparable title (e.g., Administrative Community Relations Specialist or Administrative Manager), or 4) candidates who are reachable on the Administrative Staff Analyst list or a comparable civil service list.

NYC Parks is the steward of more than 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. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 66 public pools, 52 recreational facilities, 38 restaurants and snack bars, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 660,000 street trees, and five million more in parks. We are New York City’s principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.

Major Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner for Activation, Environment, and Planning, with wide latitude for independent initiative and judgment, oversee and provide strategy for complex planning efforts on land use policy and re-zonings, new park development initiatives, master plans and open space acquisitions, aligned to the Agency’s mission of meeting the recreational, social and environmental needs of the City.
• Guide the planning and execution of innovative and high-quality opportunities for parkland activation and services while considering the availability of parkland, financial feasibility, community support and the potential for capital improvements.
• Coordinate land use policy, new park development initiatives and environmental assessment/impact reviews for the Agency.
• Manage, coordinate and direct the Agency’s resiliency and climate change planning efforts.
• Promote the Agency in communicating agency goals and policies and advancing plans for a vibrant and sustainable park system while coordinating with leadership and colleagues in the Activation and Environment teams.
• Evaluate properties proposed for acquisition for their suitability as recreational facilities or for their importance as parklands.
• In coordination with the Deputy Commissioner, provide senior agency leadership and direction on major economic development, and planning projects.
• Promote open space acquisitions, increased recreation amenities, improved waterfront access, an expanded citywide greenway network and enhanced stewardship of natural resources.
• Direct research and policy creation to support parks; conduct and guide park system analyses and long-range planning.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and project partners, fostering long-lasting relationships and advancing the planning and implementation of Parks’ projects and programs.
• Represent the Agency externally, engaging with community representatives, elected officials and not-for-profits.
• Advance a pipeline of park projects that reflect Agency, City and community priorities.
• Manage and mentor staff in their professional development. Spearhead special projects as needed from the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.

Work Location: Arsenal, Manhattan

Fees: Hired candidates will be subject to a processing fee between $40.00 to $101.00 based on the salary range of title. Hired candidates who are not currently employed by the City will be subject to a $104.50 background check fee.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ANALYST - 10026

Minimum Qualifications

• A master's degree from an accredited college in economics, finance, accounting, business or public administration, public health, human resources management, management science, operations research, organizational behavior, industrial psychology, statistics, personnel administration, labor relations, psychology, sociology, human resources development, political science, urban studies or a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, and two years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in one or a combination of the following: working with the budget of a large public or private concern in budget administration, accounting, economic or financial administration, or fiscal or economic research; or in management or methods analysis, operations research, organizational research or program evaluation; or in personnel or public administration, recruitment, position classification, personnel relations, labor relations, employee benefits, staff development, employment program planning/administration, labor market research, economic planning, social services program planning/evaluation, or fiscal management. Eighteen (18) months of this experience must have been in an executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory capacity. Supervision must have included supervising staff performing professional work in the areas described above; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of professional experience in the areas described in “1” above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in “1” above; or
• An associate degree or completion of 60 semester credits from an accredited college and six years of full-time satisfactory full-time professional experience as described in “1” above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in “1” above; or
• A four‑year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a state’s department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and eight years of full‑time satisfactory full‑time professional experience as described in “1” above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in “1” above; or
• A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4” above. College education may be substituted for professional experience at the rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for one year of experience. However, all candidates must have a high school diploma and at least two years of experience as described in “1” above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in “1” above.

Preferred Skills

• A Master’s degree with a specialization in planning or a related subject and ten years of experience in urban planning or a related field. 2. Extensive experience in fiscal and personnel management, contracts and inventory management. 3. Robust track record of working successfully with municipal agencies, other organizations and diverse constituents. 4. Strong evidence of success in advocacy for programs and needed resources. 5. Evidence of excellent communication and networking skills, and positive professional relationships with staff and internal and external stakeholders. 6. Leadership in major policy development and successful implementation. 7. Valid New York State driver license.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55‑a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55‑a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

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 within 90 days of hire for all other candidates.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

, $185,000.00 – $190,000.00