Assistant Landscape Architect

Job Title: Assistant Landscape Architect

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 world's most famous and beloved public spaces. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858, the 843-acre Park was the country's first purpose-built public park and is a National Historic Landmark and a New York Scenic 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 then, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of over $1.6 billion in the restoration of the Park, which now hosts over 40 million visitors a year.

The Conservancy is one of the largest and most successful public private partnerships in New York City and is considered a major civic institution given its impact on the health and vibrancy of both the Park and the City. 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. The Conservancy employs roughly 400 people and has an annual operating budget of $100 million.

OVERVIEW

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.

Position Summary

An Assistant Landscape Architect's (ALA) 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, an ALA has responsibilities designated by the Studio Director, or Project Manager or Project Landscape Architect they are working with on a project.

The ALA 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.
  
• Assists 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 Suite and MS Office. Working knowledge of Revit, Rhino, and Lumion is desirable.
  
• Strong written, verbal, and graphic communication, technical, and organizational skills.
  
• Maintains 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 to $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.