West Harlem Forest Outreach Associate (Seasonal)

Background

From 59th Street to 181st Street, from riverfront to city-side, the Riverside Park Conservancy works in partnership with the City of New York to maintain and improve Riverside Park for the enjoyment and benefit of all New Yorkers. We support the preservation of the park’s historic landscape, structures, and monuments, engage the community in active stewardship of the park, and provide a wide range of public programs.

Building on this mission, Riverside Park Conservancy (RPC) is responding to an urgent need for more accessible and vibrant green spaces for recreation, community events, and connections to nature in West Harlem. We are undertaking a comprehensive, thoughtful conservation project over a 4-year period, in partnership with the experts at the Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC) and the local community. By removing invasive species, clearing trash, planting new trees to restore the forest’s ecological balance, and eventually creating trail access into the forest, this project will revitalize the area, promote biodiversity, and create a welcoming green space for all to enjoy. This project is perfectly aligned with the Conservancy’s mission and values of equity, inclusivity, and innovation – and it is an urgent priority at a time when funding for NYC’s urban forest is at an all-time low. Working with NAC and a specialized forestry contractor, RPC will restore 7.5 acres of natural areas.

Position Summary

Riverside Park Conservancy is seeking an enthusiastic and outgoing individual for this new seasonal role based near the new West Harlem Forest from W 143rd St to W 153rd St. The Associate will serve a key role in developing the Conservancy’s outreach to community members in West Harlem. This role is ideal for individuals interested in exploring careers in non-profit, parks, horticulture, social services, or visitor services.

Under the guidance of the North Park Outreach Coordinator, the associate will be a welcoming presence in the park – providing information about the West Harlem Forest, leading small groups of volunteers for trash pickup and gardening work, and distributing resources to our most vulnerable residents in the park.

Duration & Schedule:

• (Flexible start date) April through October 31, 2026
• Full-time position (40 hours per week)
• Regular schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM
  • From May through September, Fridays follow a later schedule of 12:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• Greet and provide information about Riverside Park and the West Harlem Forest to community members
• Promote the Conservancy’s free public programming, environmental initiatives, and volunteer opportunities
• Engage with and offer resources to the homeless population who live near the Forest
• Maintain an inventory of tools
• Set up and break down various equipment, including folding tables
• Perform light administrative duties as needed
• Effectively lead small groups of volunteers in gardening tasks and trash pick-up, including Teen Corps and PlacePartner opportunities
• Attend team meetings every Thursday afternoon
• Table at public programming events and share information with the community

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Relevant experience in community outreach/engagement, or in a customer service capacity at a community center, social services center, or green space or public setting.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills both internally and in public settings
• Comfortable speaking with a wide range of visitors
• Self-motivated, reliable, and able to work independently and collaboratively
• Able and willing to speak to members of the public for much of work shift
• Exercise good judgment with situational awareness
• Must be willing to ask questions
• Bilingual in Spanish and English

Preferred Qualifications

• West Harlem past or current resident preferred.
• An interest in the environment, environmental education, and conservation.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Must be able to remain active and stand for extended periods of time (i.e. 3 hours), with or without a reasonable accommodation
• Must be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions (please note that during severe heat, rain, or bad air quality days, we will move indoors)
• Must be able and willing to work on uneven and sloped terrain
• Must be able to reliably send and receive emails and electronic communication as needed
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds with proper equipment

Compensation: $26 - $27 per hour

To Apply: Submit your resume and cover letter via e-mail to jobs@riversideparknyc.org with “Outreach Associate” in the subject line.

If you have the required qualifications and essential skills for this role, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the preferred qualifications.

Riverside Park Conservancy is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all applicants and employees. We recognize the importance of diversity and offer equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, height, weight, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Bilingual spanish and english