Director of Landscapes

Organizational Overview:

Fairmount Park Conservancy brings parks to life. We work with the City of Philadelphia and its communities to steward our parks and nurture our shared environment, cultural resources, and public health. We lead capital projects and historic preservation efforts, foster neighborhood park stewardship, attract and leverage investments, and develop innovative programs throughout the 10,200 acres that include Fairmount Park, six other watershed parks and more than 130 neighborhood parks and gardens around the city.

Position Overview:

The Director of Landscapes will work to strengthen the Fairmount Park Conservancy’s (FPC) ability to shape and steward key landscapes in order to provide ecological uplift, critical habitat, and provide benefits of public health and beauty to Philadelphians through land management and horticultural leadership.

Responsibilities:

• In partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Philadelphia Water Department, and DCNR staff, develop management plans and goals for key landscapes in Fairmount Park, Cobbs Creek Park, and FDR Park
• Lead the Fairmount Park Conservancy’s role implementing the PhillyTree Plan
• Advise FPC’s capital projects team through the planning, design, and implementation of key capital initiatives, including the $250M FDR Park Plan with over 200 acres of natural areas
• Develop monitoring and maintenance plans and practices for all FPC-led landscapes including ecological restoration projects, horticultural gardens, and trails
• Implement, oversee construction, and ensure the care and maintenance of FPC-constructed trail networks
• Develop strategies and tactics to create additional resilience in landscapes adapting to climate change
• Advise senior leadership and development staff around strategic goals, prioritization, and resource allocation
• Develop annual work plans and budgets to guide stewardship activities of FPC land management staff, volunteers, and partner organizations
• Oversee restoration and habitat management planning and mapping projects with internal staff, partners, or through hiring external contractors
• Lead and supervise FPC land management staff including providing timely feedback and ongoing support and mentorship

Qualifications:

• BA/BS and 7 years of experience in natural resource management and/or public garden or preserve management, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Supervisory experience in the management of teams responsible for the care and maintenance of public landscapes
• Be in physical condition to work outdoors in all types of weather and able to lift up to 50 lbs
• Ability to work some non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends
• Valid Driver’s License
• Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (desirable)
• Certified Arborist (desirable)
• Sustainable Trail Certification (desirable)

Core Competencies:

• Familiarity with aerial photos, surveys, topographic maps, construction documents, and ability to navigate properties in the field
• Proficiency with Arc GIS desktop and online applications, GPS, and related hardware and software to create and enhance maps, including digitizing property boundaries from surveys and editing shapefiles
• Demonstrated knowledge of land management and natural resources and ability to communicate knowledge to experts and non-experts alike
• Ability to work within a budget to complete projects, negotiate, and contract with vendors and contractors, and assist with budget development
• High level of computer skills required, including demonstrated competency with MS Office, Powerpoint, Word, and Excel
• Demonstrated ability to procure and successfully manage contracts for restoration and maintenance
• Experience developing, directing, and managing multiple projects and budgets and implementing strategic program goals
• Experience leading and building consensus through influence and partnership
• Ability to keep organized and accurate records and work efficiently without direct supervision
• A high degree of initiative and motivation, as well as innovative and creative problem-solving skills when working independently
• Strong sense of ethics, integrity, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality of donor and project information

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $95,000. Additionally, Fairmount Park Conservancy offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, and vision, as well as life, disability, and retirement. 

Anti-Discrimination Policy:

The Fairmount Park Conservancy does not discriminate based on ethnicity, race, gender, or sexual orientation and encourages all qualified individuals to apply.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:

All employees at the Fairmount Park Conservancy must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Successful applicants will be required to show proof of vaccination. Reasonable accommodations will be considered for those with qualifying medical or religious exemptions.

To Apply:

Thank you for your interest in the Fairmount Park Conservancy. Please prepare a formal letter of interest, resume, and three work related references as either PDF or Word documents and submit at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d250369117dd488baa22a899d5c26268.

Please, no phone calls or mailed applications. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis application deadline is Friday, 6/16/23.