Designer, Landscape Architecture

Reports to:                       Studio Director for Landscape Architecture

Department:                    Capital Projects

Job Type:                         Full Time/Exempt

Schedule:                         9AM – 5PM

About 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 Park sees a unique and extraordinary level of use, with over 42 million visits per year.

The Central Park Conservancy (“the Conservancy”), a private not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1980 to rescue the Park, which had fallen into serious disrepair at that time. Since its founding, the Conservancy has grown to be fully responsible for the physical maintenance and upkeep of the Park through a management agreement with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. To date, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of approximately $1.6 billion in the restoration of the Park, employs nearly 400 people, and has an operating budget of $120 million.

The Capital Projects department is responsible for and supports the Conservancy’s efforts of restoration and stewardship of Central Park, with an ongoing program of work that includes historic and ecological landscape and water body restorations, redesign of playground and recreation facilities, infrastructure modernization and a wide range of architectural rehabilitation projects. The department is approximately 30 people composed of primarily planners, landscape architects, and architects whose focus includes the planning, design, and construction of projects of varying complexity, program, and scale. Most recently, the Capital Projects department was responsible for the completion of the award-winning Davis Center in the Northend of the Park and the restoration of the Conservancy Garden.

Position Summary

A Designer’s role on project teams is to support the successful completion of projects and tasks by providing research, design studies, and graphic representation, as well as contributing to design documentation for all phases of design. Reporting to the Studio Director for Landscape Architecture, a Designer has responsibilities designated by the Studio Director, or Project Manager or Project Landscape Architect they are working with on a project.

The Designer is an entry-level position within the studio. This position allows a person to develop a strong foundation on which to build their career.

Position Responsibilities

·       Conduct site inventories and prepare analyses.

·       Assists with the development of project site survey and base plan information.

·       Prepare and develop designs throughout all project phases, including grading, planting, soils, structures, and other site elements.

·       Prepare illustrative and written material required to convey design intent, including for donors, community groups, and regulatory commissions.

·       Conduct materials research and coordinate procurement.

·       Assist in consultant coordination through direct experience or observation.

·       Prepare contract documents including drawings and specifications.

·       Assist in preparing cost estimates throughout all project phases.

·       Learn and understand code compliance and regulatory requirements.

·       Assist in coordination with the department’s construction team during the construction administration phase, including RFI and submittal review, CD clarification, and preparing field reports.

·       Maintain up-to-date project records and files.

·       Perform other duties as required throughout project development.

·       Assist in internal QA/QC processes on projects.

Position Qualifications

·       1 to 3 years of work experience.

·       Degree from an accredited program in Landscape Architecture.

·       Solid proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suites and MS Office. Working knowledge of Revit, Rhino, and Lumion is desirable.

·       Strong written, verbal, and graphic communication, technical, and organizational skills.

·       Maintain a professional curiosity and is proactive in learning about one’s role in the industry both internally at the CPC as well as externally.

·       Ability to prioritize work, follow directions, accept feedback, and correct one’s own work and performance.

·       Ability to work effectively independently and as part of collaborative interdisciplinary teams.

Salary range:  $65K – $83,400 (based on level of experience).

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 follow 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/they should alert other employees and notify his/her/their 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.