Reports to: Manager of Conservation 

Department: Park Infrastructure 

Status:  Seasonal, Non-Exempt 

Schedule: June 5^th- August 11^th, 2023, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, M-F 

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Hourly 

About the Park and the Central Park Conservancy 

Central Park is one of the most famous and beloved urban public spaces in the world. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1857, the 843-acre park was the first purpose-built public park in the country and is a National Historic 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 that time, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of approximately $1 billion in the restoration of the Park, and now hosts over 40 million visitors a year. 

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 Central Park to the Conservancy which is responsible for every aspect of the Park’s care, including landscape maintenance, capital improvements, and the visitor experience. Committed to sharing the best practices in urban park management, the Conservancy also serves as a resource for other NYC parks and for public-private partnerships around the world. The Conservancy employs 325 people and has an operating budget of $80 million. 

The Conservancy recently completed a seven-year plan, Central Park Conservancy, A Plan for the Stewardship of Central Park: 2020-2027, which focuses on the ongoing capital investment of the last four decade’s investment of more than $1 billion into Central Park.  

The Position: 

The Conservancy is offering six full-time summer monuments internship positions in outdoor sculpture and architectural conservation. Working under the supervision of the Manager of Conservation, interns will be trained in the examination, documentation, preservation, and conservation of the Central Park collection. They will accompany and support CPC preservation and conservation staff in a working environment that fosters focus, collaboration, and sound judgment. Through thoughtful consideration of goals, rationale, materials, and methodologies, they will strengthen their competency as conservation technicians, while practicing treatment, honing crucial hand skills, and demonstrating efficiency with personal and public safety in their work. 

Through this program, the Conservancy seeks to promote and strengthen cultural diversity in the field of cultural heritage and encourages applications from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and other underrepresented groups and individuals with diverse and distinctive skill sets and experiences. 

Selection of possible projects for summer 2023

• CPC Monuments archive organization
• Preservation and restoration of select bronze donor plaques
• Protective coatings refurbishment of the bronze sculpture The Tempest 
• Maine Monument masonry project work 
• Frederick Douglass Circle restoration project support 
• Bethesda Terrace digital documentation, sculptural restoration, and masonry   preservation  
• Cleopatra’s Needle inspection and stabilization 

Summary of Essential Job Duties  

• Exercise excellent judgement 
• Effectively function independently and as part of a team
• Safely operate vehicles and equipment in an urban Park environment
• Working from height

Minimum Requirements: 

• Applicants should have experience with, and strong interest in the professional and scientific methodologies and practices of conservation, historic preservation, and/or another closely aligned field such as archaeology, art history, applied science, and/or the trades, including masonry, metalworking, and fine carpentry.
• Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the US before applying, and for the duration of this placement. 
• Applicants must possess a current United States issued driver’s license or equivalent. 
• Physically able to move 50 lbs. and to wear a respirator for up to 4 hours per day (with breaks). 

Rate:  $22.00 per hour

Interested applicants should respond with a cover letter and C.V. or resume by March 27th, 2023.

Diversity, Equity, and 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 should alert other employees and notify his/her 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. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.