NYBG J ob Description

Title Reports t o

Director of Urban Conservation Partnerships

Vice President for Urban Conservation

Position Summary :

The Director of Urban Conservation Partnerships will build and steward partnerships with internal and external stakeholders in support of NYBG’s urban conservation programs. In partnership with NYBG Science, Horticulture, Education, Public Programming, and other staff, the position will develop and oversee on-site and off-site programs that convene and engage NYBG staff, regional conservation organizations, government agencies, advocacy groups, and citizen scientists in support of established and emerging conservation initiatives including the Bronx River Watershed Health and Resilience program. The position will assist in the creation and oversight of training programs that support urban ecological restoration and workforce development. The position will represent NYBG in regional coalitions related to urban conservation and urban nature. The position will help attract external funds to support NYBG’s urban conservation program.

The position reports to the Vice President for Urban Conservation and coordinates with the Arthur Ross Vice President for Horticulture and Living Collections on Bronx River Watershed Health and Resilience program and other applied conservation projects and programs.

Additionally, this position supports, through actions and conduct, NYBG’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility initiatives and helps to build and maintain an inclusive organization culture throughout the institution.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities :

• Conceive, develop, organize, and lead workshops to enhance Bronx River watershed Health and Resilience, including an annual convening at NYBG to identify priority projects and activities within the watershed; regular engagement during the year with key communities, organizations, and individuals within the watershed; and development and implementation of activities to increase the health of the Bronx River, monitor results, communicate the value of this work to the effected communities, and promote the Bronx River regionally and nationally.

• Develop and employ planning and communication tools, including NYBG’s welikia.org, visionmaker.nyc and related platforms, to develop and deliver community-based workshops and educational activities that address climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental justice issues.

• Represent Bronx, city, and regional networks in support of active nature restoration efforts in New York City and adjacent areas. Coordinate closely with New York City organizations to advance urban conservation. Such organizations include non-profits, schools and universities, government agencies, and private sector actors to improve the New York City environment.

• Work with New York City organizations to grow, place, and care for native plants in communities and natural areas.

• Help develop ways to scale NYBG’s urban conservation program developed for New York to other cities and localities. Experience with programmatic strategy, fundraising experience, and donor communications preferred.

• In close coordination with Institutional Advancement and Finance, develop project ideas, write proposals, communicate with potential funders, manage budgets, and prepare reports to attract external funding to support NYBG’s mission.

• Engage internal and external stakeholders through presentations, technical talks, and networking.

• Coordinate with other NYBG departments, notably Science, Horticulture, Institutional Advancement, Government and Community Affairs, Education, and Exhibitions and Public Programming.

• Other tasks as assigned.

  Qualifications :

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in community activism and organization, preferentially toward environmental or plant-based advocacy. Work experience in New York City, especially the Bronx, preferred.

• Graduate degree required (environmental science, horticulture, science education, or urban planning preferred).

• Knowledge of urban planning, nature conservation and restoration issues required. A commitment to, understanding of, and ability to speak articulately about environmental justice issues is essential. Knowledge of related issues and processes in the New York City metropolitan region preferred.

• Proven experience engaging stakeholders through conceiving and executing workshops, educational activities, workdays and other public and private events required. Demonstrated high-level communication and inter-personal skills. A demonstrated ability to work productively and efficiently across sectors with a wide variety of individuals of varying backgrounds, including scientists; educators; community activists; government agency personnel and elected officials. Demonstrated capacity to engage in a variety of settings productively, including but not limited to experience organizing workshops; engaging stakeholders 1:1, in small groups, and in community meetings; teaching, especially with digital tools; and public speaking.

• Ability to work respectfully and generously at the intersection of science, policy, and community with a variety with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Ability to interpret science for community members and to articulate community needs and questions to scientists and policy experts.

• Ability to keep multiple creative and complex projects focused, on-track, and aligned with institutional goals and mission while prioritizing and delegating appropriately. Ability to develop and manage budgets. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent experience a plus.

• Ability to speak fluent Spanish and/or other languages spoken widely in the Bronx, preferred.

• A driver’s license preferred.

• Kindness, collegiality, flexibility, and a sense of humor required.

  Physical Demands & Work Environment:

  This position will require work in an office environment, with extended periods sitting or standing at a desk, using a computer, and attending meetings virtually and in person with other people.

  Some travel may be required, more frequently with the New York City region, infrequently to other parts of the country or overseas.

  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

  Baseline Work Schedule:

  35-hour work week; some extended hours based on deliverables may be required. Generally, work hours are Monday - Friday 9 to 5 with occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work as needed. NYBG’s hybrid work policy applies to this exempt position. The primary work location is at the New York Botanical Garden.

  Benefits :

• 20 Vacation Days

• 13 Paid Holidays

• 12 Sick Days

• Health and Dental Insurance Coverage

• 401K

• Pension Plan

  Salary: Commensurate with experience within the following range $ 85,000-$100,000