The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) is a public benefit corporation and politic arm of New York State, whose mission is to develop, maintain, and operate the infrastructure of Roosevelt Island. As part of this mandate, RIOC operates and maintains several facilities including the Cultural Center, Sportspark, and the Motorgate Garage; as well as other outdoor spaces such as Firefighter’s Field, Southpoint Park, and Lighthouse Park, among other facilities and locations. Infrastructure operations also include the Aerial Tramway, and a free Red Bus Service that stops at various points on Roosevelt Island; and a Public Safety Department that serves as the community’s first responders in coordination with the New York City Police Department. RIOC’s workforce is also comprised of union workers from Local 210, 32BJ, PSOB, and other administrative staff.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation is a subdivision of the State of New York. The corporation is entrusted with maintaining, developing, and preserving the properties and open spaces on Roosevelt Island. The incumbent is a part of the Roosevelt Island management team, responsible for ensuring the island’s parks and open spaces remain safe, clean and kept to the standards in which all those who live, work, and visit Roosevelt Island have come to expect.   

Under the direction of the Director of Horticulture & Grounds, the Assistant Director of Horticulture & Grounds will implement and oversee day-to-day operations necessary to ensure open spaces, garden areas, athletic fields, parks, promenades, and other public spaces are kept in excellent condition using environmentally friendly and creative methodologies. The Assistant Director of Horticulture & Grounds assists with managing and overseeing the maintenance of specialized plantings, open areas, trees, garden areas, athletic fields, comfort stations, playgrounds, courts, waste management and snow removal. This position requires occasional weekend and holiday commitments.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following list of essential functions is intended to be representative of tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are essential to the completion of work associated with the position.

• Coordinate staff and resources to effectively maintain Island parks, comfort stations and grounds to the highest standard on a daily and ongoing basis.  This includes staff assignments, event support and daily tasks beyond routine duties.  
• Supervise and lead Groundskeepers under the 32BJ union contract.
• Collaborate with outside contractors and City or State agencies as directed.
• Manage the work of groundskeeping staff, including scheduling, timekeeping, training, and performance feedback. The position will require learning RIOC’s Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Enforce and uphold policies, procedures, and organizational standards. Collaborate with Human Resources on personnel matters including performance management, disciplinary actions and employee development.
• Develop and manage staff schedules to ensure efficient, continuous seven-day operations and appropriate coverage across all park locations.
• Maintain accountability for assets by managing equipment inventory, coordinate repairs with internal departments or external vendors and implement preventative maintenance practices to ensure safe, efficient and fiscally responsible operations.
• Direct the maintenance and care of planting beds, turf areas, trees, shrubs and irrigation systems in accordance with sustainable practices and industry leading horticultural standards. Monitor plant and tree health, proactively identify and address issues, maintain detailed treatment records, and fulfill reporting and communication obligations.
• Safely operate tools and equipment in compliance with federal, state, and local safety requirements including but not limited to: trucks, off road vehicles (standard and automatic transmissions), specialized equipment (aerator/overseeder, wheel loader, ride-on mower, skid steer loader, etc.) small power equipment (string trimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, dethatcher, etc.) and hand tools (hand saws, pruners, rakes, brooms, shovels, etc.).
• Coordinate assigned procurement and management of materials, supplies, and equipment for daily tasks and projects.
• Lead and manage the island-wide waste and compost management program for public trash receptacles, ensuring cleanliness, environmental responsibility and service reliability. Collaborate with DSNY to stay informed of advancements in waste management best practices. Manage and utilize the budget assigned effectively to assist with the purchase of materials and supplies needed daily operations.  Track expenditures in accordance with procurement practices to facilitate internal audits as required.
• Manage and execute emergency and weather-related event plans, overseeing both preparation and response efforts. Assist in island-wide snow removal procedures, including the operation of specialized equipment, manual labor, and application of deicing products.  
• Coordinate with the Director of Horticulture and Grounds and other appropriate staff for RIOC sponsored events.  Supervise staff during events as needed.
• Attend and participate in meetings on behalf of the Horticulture and Grounds Department.
• Always maintain professionalism, including when interacting with the public.
• May be required to work weekends and some holidays.
• Perform other duties as required within the scope of the position.

       QUALIFICATIONS:

·       Valid driver’s license with a clean record.

·       NYSDEC pesticide certification category 3A.

·       OSHA 10

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• ISA Arborist Certification
• Excellent supervisory, writing, communication, administrative and interpersonal skills.
• Experience overseeing and managing union staff.
• Experience training and developing a team.

·       Experience operating grounds equipment (Mower, Skid steer, Plow).

·       Experience with irrigation scheduling and repair.

·       Experience working in public settings.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment to pursue positive outcomes.
• Experience coordinating operations for special events.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and experience with other common software.
• The ability to work with other department leaders to achieve success as a team on a day-to-day basis.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

The successful candidate must have a broad range of skills, but above all, they must be curious, flexible thinkers who love learning new things and tackling challenges daily. In addition, the preferred candidate should possess the following:

1.       A degree from an accredited college or university in any field and a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in horticulture and grounds management, including supervisory or management responsibility for landscaped public spaces.  

2.       A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education, or a recognized accrediting organization and ten (10) years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in "1" above; or

3.       A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. Graduate study in the field of horticulture, arboriculture, turfgrass or other related fields may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience based on 30 credits equaling one year of experience. Graduation from an accredited school may be substituted for one year of the required experience. However, all candidates must have at least seven years of experience as described above.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

·       Must be willing and able to work outdoors in all types of weather.

·       Able to be on your feet for most of the day if needed.

·       Ability to push, pull and lift up to 50 pounds.

·       Use their hands/body to control, use, and feel objects, tools or controls.

What we offer:

Excellent benefits package including health, dental, and vision, paid holidays, sick and vacation days, commuter benefits, retirement plans, flexible spending accounts, EAP, LTD and Life Insurance Programs, and an exciting work environment with a beautiful view of Manhattan and Long Island City.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should forward cover letter and resume to: HRstaffing@rioc.ny.gov with subject line reading “Assistant Director of Horticulture & Grounds”

RIOC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on candidates based on race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, military status or any other protected characteristic.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant has been extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988.