Park Director 1

New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Downstate adjustment $4,000

Generous benefits package

Job summary

New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation seeks a Park Director 1 to manage FDR Four Freedoms State Park and report to the Deputy Regional Director in NYC Region. The role oversees daily operations, budgeting, staffing, events, and security coordination.

The incumbent will supervise multiple work units, collaborate with engineers and contractors, and develop plans to enhance park programs while maintaining strong community partnerships and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in any field with four years of experience in a large park/recreation system or equivalent administrative leadership.
• One year of supervisory experience is required.
• Associate degree with two years of specialized experience may substitute for the bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the overall operation of the park, including maintenance, operations, programming, facility management, events and permits.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive park budget and unit budgets.
• Collaborate with Park Police to establish safety programs and protocols.
• Coordinate with regional and engineering staff on park development projects.
• Inspect the park regularly to assess maintenance and operations quality.
• Plan improvements and expansions for park programs and operations.
• Maintain relationships with partner organizations and stakeholders.
• Engage with NYC Regional Management and participate in region-wide projects.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Budget management

Organizational skills

Communication

Driver's license

Weekend/holiday availability

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Associate degree substitution

Job description

Duties Description
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. The parks in the NYC Region consist of: 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

The Organization
Duties Description
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. The parks in the NYC Region consist of: 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, and 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 as a whole is distinguished by its extensive public programming throughout each year. https://www.parks.ny.gov/regions/new-york-city/default.aspx

The Position
The Park Director 1, M-1, is located at FDR Four Freedoms State Park on Roosevelt Island in the NYC Region. The incumbent of this position reports to the Deputy Regional Director, M-4, located in the New York City Regional Office. The Park Director 1 serves as the Park Director of FDR Four Freedoms State Park in the New York City Region. The incumbent is responsible for managing the day-to-day operational needs of the park, including oversight of personnel, maintenance, events and permit coordination, training, budgets, spending plans and managing the security needs of the park.

Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Supervise the overall operation of the park, including oversight of the following work units: maintenance, operations, recreational programming, facility management, events and permits.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive budget for the park as well as 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 any park construction, renovation, and development projects.
• Regularly inspect the park to determine the quality of maintenance, horticultural management, and operations.
• Develop plans for improvement, expansion, and development of park programs and operations.
• Maintain a positive relationship 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 NYC Regional Management team.
• Actively participate in region-wide operations and special projects.
• Foster a culture of collaboration.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
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 the 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.

Operating Needs
Additional Comments

• Must demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively with a variety of constituents including partner agencies, friends’ groups, donors, volunteers, researchers, contractors, and park patrons.
• Possess strong organizational skills and the ability to successfully manage multiple priorities and activities simultaneously.
• Possess the ability to effectively communicate with staff, park patrons and Regional Administrators, comprehend written material, effectively and easily communicate in writing, and prepare effective written materials and reports as directed.
• Must demonstrate experience effectively coordinating teams and supervising employees.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license that allows the candidate to legally operate a motor vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment. If not licensed at the time of appointment, the appointee must obtain a driver’s license without restrictions or conditions within the term of probation.
• Must be available to work weekends and holidays as needed.
• Must be willing to occasionally support tasks and projects at other New York State Parks work sites in the New York City Region.

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

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

• M/C: 39 days ? 13 Vacation days, 8 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays
• Three (3) days of professional leave annually to participate in professional development

Health Care Benefits

• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost

Additional Benefits

• New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Paid Parental / Family Leave