Careers

Reports to:        Project Manager - Architecture
Department:      Capital Projects
Job Type:           Full Time/Exempt
Schedule:           9AM – 5PM

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 $1.6 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.

The Capital Projects department is responsible for and supports the Conservancy’s efforts of restoration and stewardship of Central Park, with an ongoing program of work that includes historic and ecological landscape and water body restorations, redesign of playground and recreation facilities, infrastructure modernization and a wide range of architectural rehabilitation projects. The department is approximately 30 people composed of primarily planners, landscape architects, and architects whose focus includes the planning, design, and construction of projects of varying complexity, program, and scale. 

POSITION SUMMARY 
Central Park Conservancy is seeking an Assistant Architect in the Capital Projects department who will work to execute a variety of design projects from schematic design through construction.

The types of projects the Assistant Architect will work on will largely be small scall design projects like rustic structures, bridge restorations, public restrooms, and formal design features in Central Park. The work will consist of a wide variety of tasks including developing graphic presentations, preparing design studies, drawing sets, and coordinating with external consultants and park operations staff. With several projects entering construction or in construction, there will be extensive opportunities to develop construction administration experience.  

The Assistant Architect will report to the Project Manager for Architecture and will interface with the rest of the Capital Projects team including Landscape Architects, Planners, and Construction Managers.  The position is an opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment and learn from team members with a variety of backgrounds. The Assistant Architect is an entry-level position within the department. This position allows a person to develop a strong foundation on which to build their career. 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Conduct building inventories and prepare analyses.
•    Assists in the development of base drawings.
•    Prepare and develop designs throughout all project phases, including plans, elevations, sections, and details.
•    Prepare illustrative and written material required to convey design intent, including for donors, community groups, and regulatory commissions.
•    Conduct materials research and coordinate procurement.
•    Assist in consultant coordination through direct experience or observation.
•    Prepare contract documents including drawings and specifications.
•    Assist in preparing cost estimates throughout all project phases.
•    Learn and understand code compliance and regulatory requirements.
•    Assist in coordination with the department’s construction team during the construction administration phase, including RFI and submittal review, CD clarification, and preparing field reports.
•    Maintain up-to-date project files.
•    Perform other duties as required throughout project development.
•    Assist in internal QA/QC processes on projects.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
•    1 to 3 years of work experience
•    Degree from an accredited program in Architecture. 
•    A sensitive approach to historic preservation and a commitment to sustainability and accessibility in design.
•    Solid proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Creative Suites and MS Office. Working knowledge of Rhino, and Lumion is desirable.
•    Strong written, verbal, and graphic communication, technical, and organizational skills.
•    Maintains a professional curiosity and is proactive in learning about one’s role in the industry both internally at the CPC as well as externally. 
•    Ability to prioritize work, follow directions, accept feedback, and correct one’s own work and performance.
•    Ability to work effectively independently and as part of collaborative interdisciplinary teams.

Salary range: $65K - $81K (based on level of experience)

Please submit a resume,  portfolio of relevant academic and professional work (<10mg), and a cover letter explaining your qualifications and interest in the position.

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 be in compliance with 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.