Director of Community Development

New York Restoration Project (NYRP) carries out Founder Bette Midler's dream of a cleaner, greener New York City. Known as the "conservancy of forgotten places," NYRP restores, revitalizes and develops under-resourced parks and community gardens throughout the five boroughs, working to ensure that every New York City resident, family and neighborhood has access to vibrant, green spaces. By providing enriching educational and community programming, NYRP works to instill both individual and civic respect for nature and responsibility for contributing to New York City's environmental sustainability.

Position Overview:

NYRP's Director of Community Development will engage neighborhood stakeholders, residents, NYRP community gardeners and partners to strengthen the impact of NYRP's restoration work in community gardens and open spaces in underserved communities of NYC as guided by the objectives of NYRP's newly developed three-year strategic plan.

Responsibilities:

• Engage stakeholders and community members to invigorate the use of our public open spaces, as a catalyst to increased stewardship and use; and as a resource for low-income community members;
• Represent NYRP at community meetings, maintaining a strong dialogue with the Community Boards in NYRP focus neighborhoods;
• Develop open dialogue with schools and NYCHA sites within the geographic proximity of NYRP sites;
• Community asset mapping, identify resources within NYRP focus neighborhoods for effective collaborative service in restoration, programming, education and community support;
• Expand relationships in key NYRP geographic areas-East Harlem, South Bronx, and Central Brooklyn-through integrated local greening initiatives;
• Build capacity in community groups to encourage active participation in the care and programming of NYRP gardens and NYRP maintained parkland;
• Manage NYRP community garden group relationships, facilitating resolution to conflict or disagreement;
• Facilitate restoration project conversations within focus communities for active participation and involvement of all stakeholders and residents in project planning and implementation;
• Communicate interdepartmentally in support of fundraising, communication, and programmatic initiatives;
• Develop community-based programming, working with local stakeholders to activate NYRP managed open space as a vibrant resource;
• Supervise a team of 4.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, inclusive of evening meetings and an in-season work schedule of Tuesday through Saturday.

Qualifications:

• Strong relational and leadership skills
• Community outreach experience in low-income/high need urban communities
• Confident communicator, strong presentation skills, effectively communicating the goals, objectives, needs and outcomes of the NYRP initiatives
• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• Demonstrated motivational and coaching skills
• Collaborative working style
• Ability to manage priorities and demonstrate timeliness and thoroughness in deliverables
• Ability to communicate in Spanish strongly preferred

To Apply:

Interested individuals are encouraged to send a cover letter and resume.  

254 W. 31st Street
10th Floor
New York, NY 10001