Landscape Manager

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:

Fairmount Park Conservancy is seeking a Landscape Manager. The manager will be responsible for supervising Landscape Field Coordinator staff and assessing maintenance work performed on ecological restoration and horticultural landscape projects executed by Fairmount Park Conservancy.

The Landscape Manager position will report directly to the Director of Landscape as part of Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Places team.

Responsibilities:

Duties broadly focus on asset management on behalf of the Fairmount Park Conservancy and include the following:

• Provide day-to-day management of key Conservancy landscapes
• Lead weekly park area task scheduling and implementation, as well as the planning and managing of special projects
• Assist with the development of monitoring and maintenance plans and practices for all Conservancy landscapes including ecological restoration projects, horticultural gardens, and trails
• Assist with developing the annual landscape operating budget and associated administrative tasks
• Regularly visit and monitor key Conservancy landscapes to inspect plants for health deficiencies and problems, ascertain proper corrective measures, and execute maintenance activities, in coordination with the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation team
• Supervise trail construction and maintenance, in coordination with the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation team
• Supervise partner organizations and outside contractors to ensure that landscape planting and maintenance is successfully implemented at priority sites
• Develop informational materials for use in training partner organizations in sustainable landscape management and maintenance practices
• Review data in ArcGIS Field Maps to evaluate the performance of landscape planting sites in park areas to improve recommendations around species, diversity, and management practices
• Cultivate positive relationships, build support, and elevate general understanding of Fairmount Park Conservancy’s mission with partner organizations and the community through participation in educational programs and volunteer events
• Lead volunteer groups and workforce development cohorts in landscape maintenance and improvements
• Operate mechanical equipment (e.g. brush mower, tractor, chainsaw, etc.)

Qualifications:

• BA/BS and 5 years of experience in natural resource management and/or public garden or preserve management in a supervisory role, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience working in horticultural landscapes and natural areas, including gardens, forests, meadows, wetlands, and riparian areas
• Experience managing staff or volunteers and training others
• Ability to identify native, ornamental, and invasive plant species
• Understanding of land management practices
• Be able and willing to work outdoors in all types of weather and lift up to 50 lbs
• Ability to operate mechanical equipment: truck with trailer, brush mower, tractor, drill seeder, chainsaw
• Required to possess a valid state driver's license
• Ability to identify and resolve problems in a collaborative manner
• Must be able to work effectively both individually and in a team environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Experience using GIS applications such as ArcGIS Field Maps
• ISA Certified Arborist (desirable)
• Pennsylvania Certified Pesticide Applicator License in good standing (desirable)
• Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (desirable)
• Sustainable Trail Certification (desirable)

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $65,000. 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 them at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d250369117dd488baa22a899d5c26268.

Please, no phone calls, emails, or mailed applications. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application deadline is Friday, October 4th, 2024.