In-Park Recognition Programs Temp

Title: In-Park Recognition Programs Temp

Reports to: Director of Women’s Committee Membership Programs

Department: Women’s Committee and Special Events

Status: Temporary/Non-Exempt

Approximate duration of temporary assignment: 5 to 6 months

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 $1.5 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.

Job Summary:

The In-Park Recognition Programs Temp will oversee three of the Women’s Committee’s most popular and profitable in-park recognition fundraising programs (subject to change); the Adopt-A-Bench program, Tree Trust program, and the Gilder Run paving stone program. The In-Park Recognition Programs Temp will serve as a frontline fundraiser who works directly with both first-time donors as well as longtime friends of the Conservancy to find their piece of the Park.

The In-Park Recognition Programs Temp will work with the dedicated Conservancy team to ensure the productivity and efficiency of the programs, as well as with a Volunteer Committee who will help spread awareness of the work of the Conservancy and the special opportunities available through these programs. The Temporary In-Park Recognition Programs Temp must be compassionate and sensitive to donor’s stories and situations and must be comfortable spending time with donors in Central Park.

Donor Relations

• Cultivate and steward prospective donors through the process of selecting and finalizing their recognition choice
• -working with individuals, families, and foundations from initial outreach to selection of recognition plaque/paver, to implementation of donation recognition.
• Attend in-Park tree appointment or facilitate remote connection with Arborist to assist Donors with choosing their tree to endow
• Prepare written and oral updates for the volunteer Chairman/Co-Chairmen of the committees assigned to each recognition program.
• Work cooperatively with internal and external contacts such as Women’s Committee President, CPC Senior management, Board members, donors, Operations and field staff, and vendors.
• Draft and send critical correspondence to all donors whose recognition assets may be affected by ongoing Capital work in the Park.

Program Management and Record Keeping

• Maintain and track accurate Bench and Tree data, including identifying trees/benches that have been endowed, are on hold, or available, in the Cartegraph database, an asset-management software shared by Philanthropy and in-Park Technical Services to jointly update and track all assets in the Park.
• Manage the relationship with plaque and paver vendors, including the drafting process for bench plaques and Gilder and Tree paving stones and arrangement of delivery to the Park technicians.
• Partner with Technician to coordinate installation and placement of naming recognition opportunities in Central Park.
• Complete bench plaque replacement installations throughout the Park as needed.
• Work closely with the Capital Projects team to build a timeline of capital work projects that may affect access to plaques and pavers in the Park so that donors may be properly updated.
• Prepare all print certificates in support of in-Park recognition gifts (upon request)
• Execute all administrative tasks including letter writing, processing of donations, database administration, tax receipts, record keeping, etc. as it pertains to managing the fundraising program
• Manage and organize the program-specific inboxes for Adopt-A-Bench, Tree Trust, and Gilder Run Paving Stone program.
• Help to prepare monthly program financial and activity reports for Board, Exec and Committee meetings
• Manage and maintain consistent correspondence with all inquiries.
• Assist the Women’s Committee team with day-of support for various fundraising events.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least 3-5 years fundraising, development and/or special events experience
• Familiarity with and passion for Central Park and the outdoors essential to this position
• Ability to work effectively with volunteers
• Strong attention to detail and detailed record-keeping is a must
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to prioritize and multi-task
• Self-starter
• Strong business writing and communication skills
• Excellent computer skills required
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc) and Raiser’s Edge. Training on use of Cartegraph system will be provided.
• Ability to work occasional early mornings, evenings and weekends
• Must have valid driver’s license and be comfortable driving in Manhattan and in Central Park

Abilities Required:

Ability to lift boxes up to 30lbs

About the Programs: Adopt-A-Bench, Tree Trust and Gilder Run donations

The Adopt-A-Bench program was established in 1986 as a permanent fund to maintain and endow the care of Central Park’s approximately 10,000 benches and their surrounding landscapes.

The Tree Trust program of the Central Park Conservancy offers the opportunity to support Central Park’s approximately 20,000 trees, contributions are placed in an endowment for existing trees and to fund the planting of new trees.

Gilder Run paving stone program (on the path leading to Bridge No. 24 at the southeast corner of the Reservoir) offers the opportunity to leave a lasting mark in Central Park. Carve your name, tribute or memory into granite paving stones and they will become part of the landscape in perpetuity.

Hourly rate:

$44 - $50 per hour (based on level of experience)

35 hours weekly (with some anticipated, consistent overtime on a weekly basis)

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.