Deputy Commissioner of Activation, Planning and Environment

Deputy Commissioner of Activation, Planning and Environment

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, 65 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 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 - Reporting to the Commissioner, with wide latitude for judgment and decision-making, the Deputy Commissioner of Activation, Planning and Environment will provide vision, direction and operational oversight to concessions, fundraising and sponsorships, special events, permits, planning and parklands, waterfront and marina operations, and the natural resources group.

This position orchestrates synergetic and at times competing priorities of parkland usage and development--navigating complex government regulations, conservation goals, direct operations, and multiple diverse stakeholders, e.g. elected officials, City Hall, advocates/the public, businesses/sponsors, stewardship groups, etc.

Provide strategy and direction for concession and business development opportunities, operations, compliance, and capital investment, adhering to the City's Franchise and Concession Review Committee (FCRC) guidelines for license agreements and working closely with Parks Legal, Law and Mayor's Office of Contract Services.

Provide strategy on fundraising and partnership and sponsorship opportunities to bring resources and support to Parks mission and assets. Responsible for the policy guidance on special events in city parks and the permitting policy on park land and athletic fields.

Oversee complex planning efforts on land use policy and re-zoning(s), new park development initiatives, and open space acquisitions, aligned to the Agency's mission of meeting the recreational, social and environmental needs of the City. Some recent large-scale projects include increased recreation amenities, improved waterfront access, and an expanded greenway network.

Responsible for the Natural Resources Group, whose mission is to protect, restore, manage and conserve Parks' 12,000 acres of natural spaces, green infrastructure, and waterfronts through science and research, data-based decision making, advocacy, stewardship and public engagement, and plant production operations. Responsible for and provide leadership to marina operations and other in-water infrastructure, e.g. kayak launches, and ensure that these facilities are well-maintained, safe, and secure. This work includes the mitigation of environmental hazards, e.g. removal of abandoned vessels, infrastructure repairs and capital projects.

Advocate and be responsible for the capital, expense, grant, and private funding streams that support the priorities and functions of this division. Ensure that critical support services in software/technology, workforce (e.g. hiring, training), facility management, data management and analysis, vendor procurement and management are effectively supporting frontline operations.

Serve as the lead agency liaison for this Division to City Hall, elected officials, constituencies, partner organizations, not-for-profits, stewardship groups, the business community, the public etc. Work closely with Parks senior staff, e.g. Legal, Capital, Administration, Information Technology and Telecommunications, Maintenance and Operations as needed.

Work Location: Arsenal, Manhattan