Director of Permits and Plan Review

Administrative Horticulturist - 1007C

NYC Parks' mission is to grow, maintain and program a world-class park system prioritizing equity, access, safety, and nature. The Forestry Division aims to protect, restore, care for, and expand New York City Parks, nature, and tree canopy to maximize environmental health, community well-being, and resilience.

Major Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Chief of Forestry Programs, develop, promulgate and uphold standards and protocols for tree care and preservation for street and park trees.
• Oversee all aspects of the Permits and Plan Review program.
• Ensure adherence and oversee all aspects of tree replacement and restitution policy.
• Train agency staff, consultants, and applicants on Parks' tree valuation protocol, tree protection requirements, and related policies and procedures.
• Oversee and engage with stakeholder coordination in the private sector, other city agencies, and Parks to ensure tree protection protocols are pursued and followed.
• Oversee the forestry review and oversight of interagency and private construction projects.
• Track requests, intake, and allocation of funding for tree replacement, restitution, and Department of Buildings (DOB) zoning requirements.
• Serve as the primary liaison for tree work permitting with other agencies and with other Parks units.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on the development of policies and procedures related to tree work permitting, replacement, and restitution.
• Prepare briefings, reports, evaluations, budgets, and correspondence.
• Coordinate regular updates from throughout the division on the status of various projects and programs.
• Support the division and Agency in response to forestry storm events.

Work Location:

The Grove, Rego Park, Queens

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college with major study in horticulture, arboriculture, or landscape architecture and four years of full-time, paid experience in horticultural work of which two (2) years must have been in a supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial, or executive capacity; or 2. A satisfactory equivalent. However, all candidates must have at least a high school diploma or evidence of having passed an examination for a high school equivalency diploma and one year of supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial, or executive experience as described above.

Preference will be given to applicants who are permanent Administrative Horticulturists or applicants who took and passed the Administrative Horticulturist Civil Service Examination (Exam No. 6005). Certification as "Arborist" or "Board Certified Master Arborist" by the International Society of Arboriculture or "Registered Consulting Arborist" by the American Society of Consulting Arborists. A master's degree from an accredited university in forestry or a related subject or 7 years of experience in tree preservation and protection, pruning, installation and establishment, diagnosis and treatment of insect and disease problems and other related arboricultural services.

Excellent writing, administrative and interpersonal skills. Strong leadership skills and capacity to reconcile input from multiple stakeholders while meeting overall organizational objectives. Experience with and understanding of construction and sidewalk repair techniques. Strong knowledge of agency divisions and/or government operations. Valid New York State driver license.

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website.

Residency in New York City, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Putnam or Westchester counties required for employees with over two years of city service. New York City residency required within 90 days of hiring for all other candidates.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic.