Safety Manager

Reports To: Director of Operations Initiatives

Department: Park Operations

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

About Central Park and 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.

Position Summary:

The Safety Manager leads the maintenance and execution of the safety programs related to Central Park Conservancy. The Manager will assess, refine, and create safety practices related to all aspects of the Conservancy’s work, with a focus on park operations, including landscape management and facility maintenance. Considerations will include all related safety topics, such as use of vehicles/tools/equipment, use of chemicals, training programs, and reporting. The ideal candidate will possess strong written and verbal communication, administrative, and organizational skills, demonstrate sound judgment and a calming influence in a variety of situations, and be able to handle a multitude of activities and confidential matters with discretion.

Summary of Essential Job Functions:

A successful Manager will work on a peer-to-peer basis with cognizant leaders throughout CPC and will work directly with front-line staff performing a variety of tasks.

Workplace Safety Program

The Manager will maintain, administer, and update the workplace safety program that addresses the unique needs of the Conservancy. This program addresses regulatory/OSHA considerations and contemplates all relevant and required documentation. The Manager will conduct, or will work collaboratively with others to conduct, training that is professionally and productively administered, that reasonably reaches all employees on a rotating basis, and that includes documentation of attendance. The Manager will track and analyze workplace injuries and safety information. The program will include a means to articulate and document safety infractions, as well as processes to implement corrective and follow-up actions.

Environmental Health and Safety

The Manager will manage and advise on environmental health and safety matters related to regulatory requirements governing materials, insurance requirements, contracted services, disposal practices, or other related topics. Work may include interface on hazardous material encounters or removal and resolution of city violations.

Reporting and Administrative Tasks

The Manager will create and circulate policies and procedures related to safety, with a view towards feasible implementation across a workforce of hundreds of employees. The Manager will advise other managers on the correct provision of personal protective equipment. Budget responsibility will include the identification, justification, and management of appropriate financial lines for safety program implementation.

Communication and Collaboration

The Manager will develop and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders and allies inside and outside the Conservancy. Outside connection points will include many other New York City government agencies and regulatory bodies. Collaboration within the Conservancy is critical; the Manager will be responsible for safety program implementation that affects approximately 400 personnel. Work includes the management and administration of CPC’s Safety Committee, as well as participation in other collaborative efforts or committees as assigned. The Manager will be responsible for creating and delivering messaging and materials that may deal with sensitive topics, or that must make highly technical topics legible to lay audiences. Many of these materials will be reviewed and delivered in cooperation with other key leaders and managers at the Conservancy.

Other Duties as Assigned

Under the direction of the Director of Operations Initiatives, other duties may be assigned that reflect the collaborative nature of the work and the need for responsiveness and flexibility. Such assignments may include safety assessment or work related to security, vehicle/fleet management, heavy equipment management and training, capital project review and implementation, as examples.

Minimum Requirements:

• 10-15+ years' experience in safety program development and management in an organizational setting.
• Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail and to meet deadlines.
• Team player - with the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including staff, board members and their assistants, external partners and donors.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point).
• Proficient with video conferencing platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
• Valid Driver’s License required.
• Interest in urban park management and the mission of the Conservancy, preferred.

Salary range: $112K - $143,200 (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 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, he/she should alert other employees and notify his/her 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. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.