City Parks Foundation
Catalyst Organizer
City Parks Foundation, New York, New York, us, 10261
POSITION SUMMARYAs a Catalyst Organizer, you will (1) support the start-up, launch, and/or development of an active community park group in up to 4 community park sites in a particular borough, and (2) support the leadership development of local partners as ongoing, sustainable park and waterfront stewards. Through asset mapping and onsite/neighborhood outreach, events, and other activations, the Organizer will identify stakeholders interested in caring for their park and community. The Organizer will then facilitate communication and collaboration among interested partners, support the leadership development of local partners as programmers and stewards of their parks, and guide the group as they develop into an independent, sustainable “Friends of” group. Typical project timelines for our work as we support and help groups develop is 18 - 30 months.
The work of each Catalyst Organizer will be concentrated in a particular borough, where substantial in-person work in parks, community settings, and NYC Parks offices will be required.
Catalyst Organizers are expected to work as part of a team and report to the Catalyst Program Manager.COMPENSATION: $50 - $57K per year
RESPONSIBILITIESOutreach & Facilitation
Develop a thorough understanding of assigned Catalyst parks and local issues, demographics and opportunitiesConduct onsite/neighborhood outreach to identify stakeholders interested in caring for their park and communityConduct outreach, canvassing, flyering and door knocking in the park and surrounding neighborhoodCoordinate and facilitate public & community meetingsFacilitate communication and collaboration among interested partners
Relationship Building
Build consistent, effective, and collaborative relationships with key stakeholder groups, starting with these core groups: Community members/partners;
Partnerships for Parks team members; and City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks agency staff members.Build community connections to Partnerships for Parks and other hands-on park projects, events, skill building, and engagement opportunitiesConnect and leverage local and regional resources to support and amplify community partner effortsServe as a visible, in-community and park presence, acting as an effective liaison between community partners and NYC Parks, CPF and other organizations, mindful of the needs and interests all all parties
Programming & Events
Encourage and support community members with planning and execution of stewardship events in the park including It’s My Parks clean-ups and plantingsSupport community members with planning community events like health fairs, mutual aid, yoga classes, and art classes that reflect their vision of thriving activity for the park and neighborhood.
Leadership Development, Group Development & Coaching
Support the leadership development of local partners as ongoing, sustainable park and waterfront stewardsConduct ongoing coaching for partners in alignment with Catalyst goals
Data & Reporting
Track Catalyst work in database - maintain individual and organizational records, input outcomes and other important details as determined by the Catalyst Director and develop internal and external reports as needed
Program Strategy
Participate in work plan development and strategic planningWork closely with Catalyst Director and CPF fundraising team to inform fundraising plans and reportingSupport ongoing Partnerships for Parks/City Parks Foundation/NYC Parks initiatives as needed, working collaboratively and effectively as needed. Tasks and assignments will come from all three areas of our organization. Catalyst team members are accountable to and receive direction/assignments from each area of our public/private program
QUALIFICATIONSMotivated, resourceful, and creative self-starter with a passion for sustainable community engagement who is confident working both individually and as part of a teamExperienced in community organizing, coalition-building, public service/administration, and/or programming - degree in related field helpful and preferred, but not requiredExperienced in outreach, flyering, and / or door knockingExperienced in planning community-led events and/or collaborative projects that feature multiple stakeholders and interestsExperienced with qualitative and quantitative data collectionDemonstrable ability to work with diverse constituenciesStrong public speaking, writing, and listening skillsComfort and facility with office software and Google appsResponsible, detail-oriented, and organized project management skills.Understanding and ability to effectively represent and advance NYC government programs and policies. Clarity at all times we are working with and at the behest of NYC Parks and NYC governmentCatalyst is traditionally a place-based, on-the-ground engagement effort and requires:
Willingness and ability to consistently engage with stakeholders through in-person and digital engagements, including frequent travel around NYC and regular, on-site work.Flexibility to work significant hours during evenings and weekends in addition to regular business hours
Physical ability to lift up to 40lbs and participate in physical activities required in the job. This includes the ability to provide direct support in leading stewardship, landscaping and beautification projects in parks plus a range of community and park events, including transporting, setup and breakdown of event materialsDriver’s license required, or if an active CPF employee, will be be required within 1 year of start dateBi or multilingual strongly preferredABOUT CITY PARKS FOUNDATION
At City Parks Foundation (CPF), we are dedicated to invigorating and transforming New York City parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through arts, environmental education, sports, and community building programs for all New Yorkers. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks mean thriving communities.
Community engagement includes Partnerships for Parks, a public-private program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, which supports and champions a growing network of community leaders who care and advocate for the transformation of our neighborhood parks and the Parks and Open Space Partners-NYC coalition of conservancies and alliances. We also administer the NYC Green Fund, a regranting program for parks and open space nonprofits and grassroots organizations.
We produce SummerStage, the iconic free, outdoor performing arts festival in NYC, presenting world-class artists from across the globe and our own neighborhoods on our mainstage in Central Park and in local parks in all five boroughs, and our Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre and roving PuppetMobile present marionette puppet theater throughout New York City.
We connect youngsters to nature in the urban environment through progressive, experiential teaching. Using parks as classrooms, we provide learning experiences and hands-on activities in urban forests, coastal areas, and gardens.
Free golf, tennis, track & field, soccer, and fitness programs bring high-quality instruction and equipment into areas where few organized athletic opportunities exist. We offer leveled training, year-round scholarship coaching, and special pro events.
The work of each Catalyst Organizer will be concentrated in a particular borough, where substantial in-person work in parks, community settings, and NYC Parks offices will be required.
Catalyst Organizers are expected to work as part of a team and report to the Catalyst Program Manager.COMPENSATION: $50 - $57K per year
RESPONSIBILITIESOutreach & Facilitation
Develop a thorough understanding of assigned Catalyst parks and local issues, demographics and opportunitiesConduct onsite/neighborhood outreach to identify stakeholders interested in caring for their park and communityConduct outreach, canvassing, flyering and door knocking in the park and surrounding neighborhoodCoordinate and facilitate public & community meetingsFacilitate communication and collaboration among interested partners
Relationship Building
Build consistent, effective, and collaborative relationships with key stakeholder groups, starting with these core groups: Community members/partners;
Partnerships for Parks team members; and City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks agency staff members.Build community connections to Partnerships for Parks and other hands-on park projects, events, skill building, and engagement opportunitiesConnect and leverage local and regional resources to support and amplify community partner effortsServe as a visible, in-community and park presence, acting as an effective liaison between community partners and NYC Parks, CPF and other organizations, mindful of the needs and interests all all parties
Programming & Events
Encourage and support community members with planning and execution of stewardship events in the park including It’s My Parks clean-ups and plantingsSupport community members with planning community events like health fairs, mutual aid, yoga classes, and art classes that reflect their vision of thriving activity for the park and neighborhood.
Leadership Development, Group Development & Coaching
Support the leadership development of local partners as ongoing, sustainable park and waterfront stewardsConduct ongoing coaching for partners in alignment with Catalyst goals
Data & Reporting
Track Catalyst work in database - maintain individual and organizational records, input outcomes and other important details as determined by the Catalyst Director and develop internal and external reports as needed
Program Strategy
Participate in work plan development and strategic planningWork closely with Catalyst Director and CPF fundraising team to inform fundraising plans and reportingSupport ongoing Partnerships for Parks/City Parks Foundation/NYC Parks initiatives as needed, working collaboratively and effectively as needed. Tasks and assignments will come from all three areas of our organization. Catalyst team members are accountable to and receive direction/assignments from each area of our public/private program
QUALIFICATIONSMotivated, resourceful, and creative self-starter with a passion for sustainable community engagement who is confident working both individually and as part of a teamExperienced in community organizing, coalition-building, public service/administration, and/or programming - degree in related field helpful and preferred, but not requiredExperienced in outreach, flyering, and / or door knockingExperienced in planning community-led events and/or collaborative projects that feature multiple stakeholders and interestsExperienced with qualitative and quantitative data collectionDemonstrable ability to work with diverse constituenciesStrong public speaking, writing, and listening skillsComfort and facility with office software and Google appsResponsible, detail-oriented, and organized project management skills.Understanding and ability to effectively represent and advance NYC government programs and policies. Clarity at all times we are working with and at the behest of NYC Parks and NYC governmentCatalyst is traditionally a place-based, on-the-ground engagement effort and requires:
Willingness and ability to consistently engage with stakeholders through in-person and digital engagements, including frequent travel around NYC and regular, on-site work.Flexibility to work significant hours during evenings and weekends in addition to regular business hours
Physical ability to lift up to 40lbs and participate in physical activities required in the job. This includes the ability to provide direct support in leading stewardship, landscaping and beautification projects in parks plus a range of community and park events, including transporting, setup and breakdown of event materialsDriver’s license required, or if an active CPF employee, will be be required within 1 year of start dateBi or multilingual strongly preferredABOUT CITY PARKS FOUNDATION
At City Parks Foundation (CPF), we are dedicated to invigorating and transforming New York City parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through arts, environmental education, sports, and community building programs for all New Yorkers. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks mean thriving communities.
Community engagement includes Partnerships for Parks, a public-private program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, which supports and champions a growing network of community leaders who care and advocate for the transformation of our neighborhood parks and the Parks and Open Space Partners-NYC coalition of conservancies and alliances. We also administer the NYC Green Fund, a regranting program for parks and open space nonprofits and grassroots organizations.
We produce SummerStage, the iconic free, outdoor performing arts festival in NYC, presenting world-class artists from across the globe and our own neighborhoods on our mainstage in Central Park and in local parks in all five boroughs, and our Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre and roving PuppetMobile present marionette puppet theater throughout New York City.
We connect youngsters to nature in the urban environment through progressive, experiential teaching. Using parks as classrooms, we provide learning experiences and hands-on activities in urban forests, coastal areas, and gardens.
Free golf, tennis, track & field, soccer, and fitness programs bring high-quality instruction and equipment into areas where few organized athletic opportunities exist. We offer leveled training, year-round scholarship coaching, and special pro events.