Research & Development Fellow, NYC Green Fund

POSITION SUMMARY

As a Research and Development (R&D) Fellow for the NYC Green Fund, you will work with Partnerships for Parks’ Technical Assistance department towards initiatives that advance a resilient and equitable network of parks and open spaces benefiting the wellbeing of all New Yorkers. 

The R&D Fellow will work for a 6-month term to pilot a networking and peer-exchange initiative serving NYC’s grassroots leaders who champion the stewardship of parks and open spaces. Specifically, the R&D Fellow will convene NYC Green Fund Grassroots grantees, discuss trends and challenges across the public space programming ecosystem, and encourage resource sharing to build a growing, collective knowledge base for grassroots leaders. The fellow will also be responsible for attending grantee-funded events, interviewing local leaders, and evaluating the impact of public space activation as a vehicle for community-building.

The NYC Green Fund R&D Fellow is expected to work as part of a team and will report to and work most closely with the Technical Assistance Director. 

The NYC Green Fund R&D Fellow will work with a primary focus of supporting networking and peer-exchange initiatives pertaining to the active NYC Green Fund Grassroots grantee pool. 

Responsibilities will generally fall along this order of duties: 

Research & Development of Peer-Exchange Best Practices (30%) 

• Research and develop best practices for PfP-led peer-knowledge exchange, including group networking and facilitation methods, as well as documentation of group-learning
• Work with the Technical Assistance (TA) department and other staff to deepen understanding about how PfP already engages with partners
• Pair best practices for peer-exchange facilitation with curated discussion topics serving NYC Green Fund Grassroots grantees. Curated discussion topics will be also be informed by research on special topics, existing PfP documents, staff interviews, and eventually, a grantee-facing survey
• Develop organized planning documents to implement networking opportunities for NYC Green Fund Grassroots grantees
• Develop a detailed workplan to host 3-5 networking opportunities that inspire networking and knowledge sharing among NYC Green Fund Grassroots grantees

Produce Networking Opportunities (30%) 

• Serve as the visible lead of this work and an effective liaison between NYC Green Fund Grassroots grantees, PfP, CPF, NYC Parks and other organizations, being mindful of the needs and interests of all parties
• Coordinate all aspects of networking peer-exchange events, including but not limited to multiple-event project tracking, communication coordination, invitation and RSVP management, space reservation and catering, and run of show
• Work with Grants team and Training & Resources Manager to coordinate outreach communications for grantee-focused offerings, networking opportunities, and related follow-up resources
• Facilitate and/or coordinate with co-facilitators to guide topical, peer-to-peer discussions for grantees

Develop Knowledge-base (30%) 

• Attend grantee events and evaluate activations and community impact in coordination with Grants Team 
• Produce recap documents for each hosted networking opportunity that can be shared back as a follow-up with the active NYC Green Fund Grassroots grantee pool
• Interview grantees at grantee events and work with PfP’s Communications Manager to feature in monthly newsletters
• Analyze Site Visit Evaluation data and learnings from hosted networking opportunities to develop a Recap and Assessment Report

Support Technical Assistance Department (10%)

• Work with Grants team to develop survey, supporting with knowledge gained from networking opportunities to advance the curation of future events
• Attend program meetings and support other projects as directed

QUALIFICATIONS

• The Fellowship program is open to graduate students and professionals who have completed a minimum of 12 graduate credits in urban placemaking, city planning, education, public administration, management, or related field, and/or have a minimum of three years of work experience
• Demonstrated ability and/or interest to work effectively with a diverse array of stakeholders including community volunteers, city agency representatives, and funders
• Excellent active listening and research skills, written and oral communication, interpersonal relationship building, research, problem-solving, and customer service skills
• Willingness to occasionally work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends
• Knowledge of New York City boroughs and neighborhoods preferred, and ability to travel across the city for meetings, projects, and events is required
• Knowledgeable, committed to, and familiar with public space programming in New York City
• Experienced in outreach, community event promotion and event management, and engagement
• Ability to research, synthesize, and make recommendations as to best practices 
• Demonstrable ability to work with diverse constituencies to plan and facilitate large events 
• Willingness and ability to consistently engage with stakeholders through in-person and digital engagements
• Confident working both individually and as part of a team
• Effective public speaking and listening skills. People skills are important with this position
• Responsible and detail-oriented 

EXPECTATIONS

• Completion of full 6-month fellowship term
• Hybrid-workplace environment – both in-person and virtual attendance is required 
• Communication with TA Director and staff about site visits scheduling and staffing coordination well in advance of planned events 
• Work in close collaboration with other PfP and CPF departments, including but not limited to Community Engagement and Partnership Development, to inform and guide work produced

ABOUT CITY PARKS FOUNDATION

At City Parks Foundation (CPF), we are dedicated to invigorating and transforming New York City parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through arts, environmental education, sports, and community building programs for all New Yorkers. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks mean thriving communities.

Community engagement includes Partnerships for Parks, a public-private program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, which supports and champions a growing network of community leaders who care and advocate for the transformation of our neighborhood parks and the Parks and Open Space Partners-NYC coalition of conservancies and alliances. We also administer the NYC Green Fund, a regranting program for parks and open space nonprofits and grassroots organizations.

We produce SummerStage, the iconic free, outdoor performing arts festival in NYC, presenting world-class artists from across the globe and our own neighborhoods on our mainstage in Central Park and in local parks in all five boroughs, and our Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre and roving PuppetMobile present marionette puppet theater throughout New York City.

We connect youngsters to nature in the urban environment through progressive, experiential teaching. Using parks as classrooms, we provide learning experiences and hands-on activities in urban forests, coastal areas, and gardens.

Free golf, tennis, track & field, soccer, and fitness programs bring high-quality instruction and equipment into areas where few organized athletic opportunities exist. We offer leveled training, year-round scholarship coaching, and special pro events.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. City Parks Foundation does not offer visa sponsorship.