Arborist

Reports to: Manager-Tree Care

Department: Landscape Management

Status:  Full-time Non-exempt

 

About Central Park and the Central Park Conservancy

Central Park is one of the most famous and beloved urban public spaces in the world. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1857, the 843-acre park was the first purpose-built public park in the country and is a National Historic Landmark. The Central Park Conservancy, a private not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1980 to rescue the Park which had fallen into serious disrepair. Since that time, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of approximately $1 billion in the restoration of the Park, and now hosts over 40 million visitors a year.

The Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from urban life. The City of New York has formally entrusted the care of the Park to the Conservancy which is responsible for every aspect of its care, including landscape maintenance, capital improvements, and the visitor experience. Committed to sharing the best practices in urban park management, the Conservancy also serves as a resource for other NYC parks and for public-private partnerships around the world. The Conservancy employs approximately 400 people and has a yearly operating budget of $100 million. 

 

Position Summary

Working under the general supervision of the Tree Care Manager, the primary responsibility of the arborist is to conduct tree assessments and make recommendations, coordination of tree service requests, contract supervision, responding to emergency and storm related events, monitoring pest and disease issues (IPM), applying and carrying out arboricultural best management practices and techniques to conserve and maintain a healthy and expanding tree population with the goal to optimize the sustained benefits that Central Park parks trees provide.

Other responsibilities include digital record keeping of tree-related work tasks, collaborative management and implementation of tree care work programs and adherence to all initiatives and policies set by the Tree Care Manager. It is expected that the Arborist will work across departments and with other staff of the Central Park Conservancy, to support the overall goals of the organization’s inter-departmental work, and to work as part of the team with the Parks Operation department to facilitate daily routine park management.

Summary of Essential Job Functions:

Daily Technical Operation

• Working as part of a team to inspect, plan, prioritize, and review all daily tree care operations and programs.
• Respond to internal and external tree service requests, including assessing tree sites, prescribing and carrying out any necessary mitigation or follow-up work required.
• Carry out arboricultural work operations such as tree climbing, operating aerial lift, brush chipper and chainsaw for pruning, removals, cabling and other necessary tree related work tasks as assigned.  
• Ensure all arboricultural work operations comply to industry, organizational, and governmental safety and other established standards.
• Provide technical service and advice to inter-departmental staff as needed.
• Visually identify tree conditions requiring more detailed assessment and perform tree inspections using advanced diagnostic tools.
• Identify and monitor trees for pests and diseases, participate in developing strategies for implementation of Integrated Pest Management treatments for related pest and disease issues.
• Choose and prepare sites for tree plantings, including participating in tree species selections, supervising tree planting operations and conducting necessary follow up to ensure successful establishment.
• Monitor and inspect the health of trees and perform or prescribe any necessary mechanical or chemical applications for plant health care needs.  
• Conduct periodic surveys or re-surveys of Central Parks urban forest, identifying and recording tree species, site information, and any measurements and updates related to maintaining an up-to-date tree inventory utilizing associated technologies and software.
• Use tablet computer to maintain digital records of daily work tasks and written reports.
• Work with Manager to develop, plan and review annual work plans, tree care policies and procedural documents. 

Supervisory

• The organization of and implementation of all contracted work schedules to meet daily and weekly workloads and projects based on evaluation, prioritization, and selection of tasks from tree care database.
• Guides and provides technical assistance and follow-up with tree care contractors.
• Monitors and ensures contractor engagement, productivity, compliance, and status of work assignments.

Collaboration & Communication

• Assist in the preparation of special events as needed.
• Cooperate with other staff within the department and other department personnel in completing assigned tasks.
• Displays the necessary initiative and dependability to work alone or in groups.
• Adhere to all organizational standards and requirements.  
• Interact with Park patrons in a professional manner. 

Related Work

• Respond to emergency situations, including, but not limited to, storm and snow events.
• May be called upon to work shifts including nights, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
• Maintains the inventory and proper care of all tools, equipment, materials, supplies and staff uniforms in good working order and report items that require repair.
• Participates in all training sessions and seminars.
• Daily reports of malfunctioning infrastructure, furnishings, safety hazards, quality of life issues
• Perform related work as assigned.  

Minimum Requirements:

1. Associate or bachelor's degree from accredited colleges in Urban Forestry, Arboriculture, or related field; and/or experience that is equivalent to 5 years’ experience in the field of tree care maintenance.
2. All candidates must have demonstrated the ability to work well and collaborate with others.
3. Valid Driver License. A Class B Commercial Driver License valid in the State of New York within one year of being appointed to this position and maintained for the duration of employment.
4. Possess a fundamental understanding and knowledge of tree physiology using modern arboriculture practices. Demonstrated competency of the essential job functions. Experience in urban tree care maintenance is desirable.
5. ISA Certified Arborist and TRAQ Qualified.
6. CPC Internal Candidates - A satisfactory performance evaluation during each year of employment.

Abilities Required

• MUST be skilled and comfortable with harnessed tree climbing.
• Ability to work overtime, weekends and holidays as part of regularly scheduled shifts and ability to work overtime as needed.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform heavy physical labor on a daily basis in all weather conditions.
• Ability to provide both oral and written communication that is easily understood and direct in content.
• Ability to engage in critical thinking skills that allow for prioritizing issues, coordinating multiple projects and problem solving.
• Knowledge of computer equipment and Microsoft Office applications.

Salary range:  $65,000 to $81,000 (based on level of experience)

Note: This is an on-site position.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

The Central Park Conservancy’s work is guided by the belief that Central Park, and all public parks, must be managed and actively protected as an inclusive and democratic space for all. 

Working closely with our New York City partners, we will always strive towards creating and sustaining a sense of belonging for all visitors and advocating for equitable and accessible public use of the Park.

In service of this belief, we are committed to fostering a workforce and organizational culture that is as diverse as Central Park itself and the dynamic city it serves.

Safety Requirements

Establishment and maintenance of a safe work environment is the shared responsibility of this organization and employees at every level. The Conservancy will make every effort to assure a safe environment and be in compliance with federal, state, and local safety regulations.  Employees are expected to obey safety rules and to exercise caution in all their work activities.  Accordingly, employees should be aware of any hazards, which could cause an injury or accident (e.g., spills, obstacles in walkways, etc.).  If an employee discovers a potentially dangerous condition, he/she should alert other employees and notify his/her supervisor immediately.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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