Stewardship Associate

Stewardship Associate

NYC Parks is the steward of over 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 look after 660,000 street trees, and two million more in parks. The Division of Environment and Planning aims to protect, restore, and expand New York City's green spaces and natural areas to maximize their benefits for environmental and community health and resilience. The Natural Resources Group within Environment and Planning manages over 12,000 acres of natural areas across the five boroughs, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, and has secured tens of millions of dollars of grant from state, federal and private sources over the past decades to fund restoration and management across these ecosystems.

Major Responsibilities - Under general direction, with wide latitude for independent initiative and judgment, support environmental service events, trainings, recruitment and workshops engaging volunteers and interns in natural areas management and street tree care. Support community engagement and planning efforts for scheduled public and private events facilitated by the Stewardship team. Recruit volunteers and interns to participate in events in a variety of outdoor settings. Lead and participate in natural area vegetation management, native vegetation plantings, trail work, erosion control, coastal clean-ups, street tree care, and other service projects throughout New York City. Manage and oversee the work of volunteers and interns in a variety of outdoors settings including forests, wetlands and along New York City streets, instructing them in proper project techniques and the use and care of equipment and materials. Update and maintain records, prepare written reports, including the regular entry of participant information and fieldwork into Excel tracking forms and sketching work areas in ArcGIS. Track participant recruitment and engagement progress against Stewardship program goals. Support on-site efforts with other work happening within the division, with local park managers, local community groups and other agencies. Assist in registration and leading volunteers at events as assigned. Facilitate and enhance train-the-trainer options to provide wider variety of opportunities for volunteers.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements 1. High school graduation or equivalent and three years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to duties described above; or 2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" above.

Preferred Skills

1. Ability to work weekends and occasional evenings. 2. Experience working with volunteers, students, interns or trainees. 3. Knowledge of native and invasive plants and local ecology. 4. Ability to work under adverse conditions (heat, early/late hours, inclement weather, muddy and/or wet conditions). 5. Excellent inter-personal skills, including the ability to work independently and part of a team. 6. Valid New York State driver license.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at

Residency Requirement

Residency in New York City, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Putnam, or Westchester counties required for employees with over two years of city service. New York City residency required within 90 days of hire for all other candidates.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.