Recruiter, Park Operations

Reports to:  Senior Director of Recruitment

Department: People and Culture

Status:  Exempt/Full-Time

About 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 $2 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 $120 million. 

Position Summary:

The Recruiter, Park Operations will serve as a strong support to managers and employees of Central Park Conservancy focusing primarily on recruitment with some emphasis on employee relations.  The ideal candidate will have strong experience recruiting for a high volume of non-exempt, operations positions in a busy, fast-paced environment as well as the proven ability to provide an exemplary candidate experience. The position will also play a key role in the critical 90-day introductory period, providing guidance, support and feedback to employees helping to lead employees to a successful path at the Conservancy.

We seek candidates who have a solid understanding of best practices in the field of human resources, recruitment and employee relations as well as experience coaching employees and managers.  This position will also serve as a strong liaison between Park Operations and the People and Culture team, providing individualized support and guidance to our staff.

Summary of Essential Job Functions:

Recruitment Responsibilities (75%):

• Manage a high volume of full life-cycle recruitment for positions primarily for the Park Operations Department with a strong emphasis on non-exempt roles (note:  some recruitment support may also be required for administrative positions at the Conservancy). The process includes:

• Conducting intake meetings with hiring managers

• Posting positions; thinking creatively about new avenues for pipelines of talent.

• Screening and interviewing candidates

• Crafting thorough and comprehensive candidate summaries for hiring managers -- providing thoughtful feedback and recommendations regarding salary.

• Participating in work demonstration previews in Central Park for frontline positions in park operations.

• Crafting offers, sending onboarding emails and providing a welcoming and inviting environment for new hires.

• Research job boards and job advocacy organizations to help attract and strengthen a strong pipeline of talent.

• Perform human capital management, recruitment and compensation transactions in the Workday system.

• Run reports in the Workday system related to open positions and census data.

• Assist with conducting exit interviews and providing feedback – noting any patterns and trends.

• Attend job fairs; develop and strengthen relationships with Central Park Conservancy’s partners.

Employee Relations and Business Partner Responsibilities (25%):

• Conduct regular check-ins with new hires during their 90-day introductory period and beyond; provide guidance and coaching as needed.

• Work collaboratively with hiring managers to provide guidance and feedback.

• Provide support to the Director of Employee Relations in helping to resolve employee relations issues related to time and attendance; assist with other employee relations duties, as needed.

• Build a strong rapport and relationship with managers and staff; collaborate with management and employees to improve work relationships, build morale and increase productivity and retention.

• Follow up with employees and provide detailed tracking information related to their status regarding the driver’s license pilot program.

• Encourage professional development of staff, promoting growth and career path opportunities.

• Provide support to employees with regards to benefits enrollment, trainings and use of the Workday system.

• Collaborate with benefits team to ensure a smooth transition for employees who require assistance with worker’s compensation and FMLA.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 5 to 10 years of experience in Human Resources with a strong focus on recruitment and employee relations.

• Proven experience managing a high volume of searches conducting full life-cycle recruitment for positions, particularly in an operations, facilities and/or park  environment, at both the non-exempt and exempt status.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Experience managing various types of employee relations matters.

• Strong verbal and written communications skills. 

• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

• Ability to build a strong rapport and relationship with staff.

• Strong experience working with Applicant Tracking Systems (experience with Workday strongly preferred).

• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities; a collaborative nature.

• Interest in urban park management and the mission of the Conservancy, preferred.

Salary range:  $74K - $95,800 (based on experience level)

This is an in-person position.

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 be in compliance with 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 potential dangerous condition, the employee should alert other employees and notify 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.