Parks and Trails Design & Construction Project Manager

The Open Space Institute (OSI) protects scenic, natural, and historic landscapes to ensure public enjoyment, conserve habitats, and sustain community character.  With a staff of 60, OSI achieves its goals through land acquisition, conservation easements, special loan programs, creative partnerships, and analytical research.   

Position Summary  

The Open Space Institute seeks a qualified individual to aid in managing the Open Space Institute’s (OSI’s) growing portfolio of park and trail design and capital construction projects throughout our legacy landscapes.  Under general supervision of the Vice President for Parks & Stewardship, the Design & Capital Project Manager  will perform a broad and dynamic range of trails, parks, interpretive & land planning, design, project development, and construction oversight functions, and related duties as assigned.  

• Position Title:  Design & Capital Project Manager   
• Reports To:  Vice President for Parks & Stewardship  
• Department:  Parks & Stewardship  
• Location:  Hudson Valley, NY   

Primary / Essential Responsibilities & Duties 

• Acts in a client capacity to procure and develop OSI’s parks related design and capital improvement projects including development and review of consultant-prepared concepts, design documents, construction plans, specifications, legal documents, contract documents, technical reports, project schedules, and cost estimates. 
• Prepares and manages project budgets, reviews progress of, and payments to, consultants and contractors. 
• Oversees project compliance with applicable codes, laws, regulation, rules, standards, policies and procedures, and safety procedures. 
• Coordinates with other organizations/agencies/partners toward the timely completion of projects. 
• Coordinates process for bidding and contracting of services, prepares Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for design, engineering, construction, and other related services, prepares bid packages; conducts pre-bid and pre-construction meetings as necessary, field requests for information and issue addendums to clarify questionable issues; participates in negotiation of scope of services and fees for professional services agreements, makes recommendations regarding selection of vendors and awarding of contracts, and compiles contract language. 
• Ensures that all service, fixture, and equipment procurement is performed in accordance with guidelines and regulations of governmental and private grant programs, as applicable. 
• Manages and reviews the quality and completeness of the work performed by professional consultants (landscape architects, engineers, planners, and others) as it relates to capital improvement projects.  
• Conducts regular field checks of proposed and ongoing projects, conducts inspections, monitors work to ensure compliance to plans, and interprets specifications and contracts.
• Prepares written and oral reports on OSI’s project portfolio issues including presentations to board committees, staff, and external stakeholders.  

Required Skills / Core Competencies  

Knowledge of and/or experience with the following: 

• Land design and project management processes.  
• Plan, direct, coordinate and supervise professional and sub-professional construction management work. 
• Interpret and apply related laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, and policies. 
• Ability to work independently, organize and prioritize work, and communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing. 
• Exercise initiative, use sound judgment, and make recommendations to management. 
• Communicate effectively with individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic, and culturally diverse backgrounds. 
• Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.  

Desirable Skills / Competencies (not necessarily required, but preferable) 

Knowledge of and/or experience with the following: 

• Landscape architectural and engineering principles and practices related to recreation, parks, trails, and other open space infrastructure. 
• Park programming and operations, maintenance, and land management/stewardship. 
• Governmental grants, public sector budgeting practices, and federal and NYS labor law. 
• NYS laws, ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations as applied to land disturbance and site development. 
• Non-profit and/or land conservation organizational structure. 
• Act in a client capacity to drive the design of individual projects.  

Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in landscape architecture, civil engineering, construction management, or closely related field. 
• Minimum five (5) years of professional level design and/or construction management experience having responsibility for coordinating phases of design and construction OR an equivalent combination of closely related training and experience. 
• Proven ability to plan, organize, schedule, and manage multiple projects efficiently and cost-effectively.    

Work Environment 

• Work will generally be divided equally between home office and project work sites with bi-weekly visits to OSI’s New Paltz field office and Albany NY program office locations.  
• Job requires access to a vehicle as work will require travel throughout the State of New York (primarily the mid-Hudson Valley, mileage reimbursed) to attend meetings, inspect sites, manage projects, and generally perform job duties.   

Physical Requirements 

• Frequently sits for long periods of time. 
• Frequently speaks, reads, writes, and uses a computer keyboard.  
• Frequent travel within New York State, mostly same-day trips.
• Frequently requires walking and/or hiking on and off trail and in remote areas. 
• Occasional events outside standard office hours and in other locations where OSI operates. 

Note: This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position.  There may be unplanned activities and other duties as assigned.  

How to Apply 

• Please click "Apply on Company Website" below.  
• Attach a cover letter that includes where you learned of the job posting and your salary expectations along with your resume. Applications without a cover letter may not be considered. 
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through December 15, 2021. You will receive an acknowledgement once your application has been submitted. 
•  Competitive salary and excellent benefits, including paid time off and paid holidays.  

OSI is an equal opportunity employer and is actively recruiting a diverse workforce. Land conservation benefits all people.  Our mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all genders, diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.