Deputy Commissioner of Activation, Planning and Environment

cityofnewyork

New York City, NY, United States · New York City · United States

Posted May 29, 2026

Full-time
On-site
Director

Job description

Company Description Job Description *This vacancy is only open to 1) current permanent city employees serving in the Administrative Staff Analyst civil service title or 2) on leave from the title or 3) permanent city employees in or on leave from a comparable title (e.g. Administrative Community Relations Specialist or Administrative Manager), or 4) city employees who are reachable on the Administrative Staff Analyst civil service list or a comparable civil service list or qualify for a comparable title. [Please indicate the exam and your list number or comparable title on your resume.] NYC Parks is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land – 14 percent of New York City – including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 65 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 660,000 street trees, and five million more in parks. We are New York City’s principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals. Major Responsibilities - Reporting to the Commissioner, with wide latitude for judgment and decision-making, the Deputy Commissioner of Activation, Planning and Environment will provide vision, direction and operational oversight to concessions, fundraising and sponsorships, special events, permits, planning and parklands, waterfront and marina operations, and the natural resources group. - These units, together, advance Parks mission through the overlapping connections in activating parkland through concessions, marina operations, waterfront recreation, special events, athletic field and special events permitting, fundraising and sponsorships; planning for existing and future parkland, responsibly and sustainably, as part of rezonings or acquisitions; and restoring and conserving Parks precious natural areas and waterfronts from degradation and pollution (e.g. vessel debris, dumping). This position orchestrates synergetic and at times competing priorities of parkland usage and development--navigating complex government regulations, conservation goals, direct operations, and multiple diverse stakeholders, e.g. elected officials, City Hall, advocates/the public, businesses/sponsors, stewardship groups, etc. - Provide strategy and direction for concession and business development opportunities, operations, compliance, and capital investment, adhering to the City’s Franchise and Concession Review Committee (FCRC) guidelines for license agreements and working closely with Parks Legal, Law and Mayor’s Office of Contract Services. - Provide strategy on fundraising and partnership and sponsorship opportunities to bring resources and support to Parks mission and assets. Responsible for the policy guidance on special events in city parks and the permitting policy on park land and athletic fields. - Oversee complex planning efforts on land use policy and re-zoning(s), new park development initiatives, and open space acquisitions, aligned to the Agency’s mission of meeting the recreational, social and environmental needs of the City. Some recent large-scale projects include increased recreation amenities, improved waterfront access, and an expanded greenway network. - Responsible for the Natural Resources Group, whose mission is to protect, restore, manage and conserve Parks’ 12,000 acres of natural spaces, green infrastructure, and waterfronts through science and research, data-based decision making, advocacy, stewardship and public engagement, and plant production operations. Responsible for and provide leadership to marina operations and other in-water infrastructure, e.g. kayak launches, and ensure that these facilities are well-maintained, safe, and secure. This work includes the mitigation of environmental hazards, e.g. removal of abandoned vessels, infrastructure repairs and capital projects. - Advocate and be responsible for the capital, expense, grant, and private funding streams that support the priorities and functions of this division. Ensure that critical support services in software/technology, workforce (e.g. hiring, training), facility management, data management and analysis, vendor procurement and management are effectively supporting frontline operations. - Serve as the lead agency liaison for this Division to City Hall, elected officials, constituencies, partner organizations, not-for-profits, stewardship groups, the business community, the public etc. Work closely with Parks senior staff, e.g. Legal, Capital, Administration, Information Technology and Telecommunications, Maintenance and Operations as needed. Work Location: Arsenal, Manhattan How to Apply: Go to cityjobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID# 782133. All applicants must apply via cityjobs.nyc.gov. The City is no longer using ESS to accept applications. *Current City Employees please include your ERN on your cover letter and resume. NOTE: All resumes must be received no later than the last day of the posting period. References will be required upon request. nyc.gov/parks MOVEMENT IN THE FACE OF CIVIL SERVICE LISTS IS PROHIBITED UNDER CIVIL SERVICE LAW. For information about applying for Civil Service Exams go to: Civil Service Exams - Department of Citywide Administrative Services (nyc.gov) ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ANALYST - 10026 Qualifications 1. A master's degree from an accredited college in economics, finance, accounting, business or public administration, public health, human resources management, management science, operations research, organizational behavior, industrial psychology, statistics, personnel administration, labor relations, psychology, sociology, human resources development, political science, urban studies or a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, and two years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in one or a combination of the following: working with the budget of a large public or private concern in budget administration, accounting, economic or financial administration, or fiscal or economic research; or in management or methods analysis, operations research, organizational research or program evaluation; or in personnel or public administration, recruitment, position classification, personnel relations, labor relations, employee benefits, staff development, employment program planning/administration, labor market research, economic planning, social services program planning/evaluation, or fiscal management. Eighteen (18) months of this experience must have been in an executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory capacity. Supervision must have included supervising staff performing professional work in the areas described above. 2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in the areas described in “1” above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in “1” above. 3. An associate degree or completion of 60 semester credits from an accredited college and six years of satisfactory full-time professional experience as described in “1” above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in “1” above. 4. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State’s department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and eight years of satisfactory full-time professional experience as described in “1” above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in “1” above. 5. A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4” above. College education may be substituted for professional experience at the rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for one year of experience. However, all candidates must have a high school diploma and at least two years of experience as described in “1” above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in “1” above. Additional Information 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, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.