Manager of Streetscape and Public Space

SUMMARY

Since 1995, our mission at the Alliance for Downtown New York has been to provide service, advocacy, research and information to enhance the quality of life in Lower Manhattan and advance the dynamic, vibrant neighborhood as a global model of a 21st-century Central Business District for businesses, residents and visitors. Serving an area from roughly City Hall to the Battery, from the East River to West Street, the Downtown Alliance manages the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District (BID). By supporting economic development, public safety, sanitation, transportation and more, the Downtown Alliance strives to make Lower Manhattan an exciting, clean and safe place to live, work and play.

Under the direction of the Senior Manager, Operations Planning, the Manager of Streetscape and Public Space will manage the planning, implementation, and maintenance of the Alliance’s streetscape program, including all furniture, signage, and other infrastructure elements. They will also monitor the condition of public space amenities at Alliance-managed parks and pedestrian plazas, as well as work closely with city agencies to address quality-of-life issues as they arise in the district.

Salary ranges between $58,000 and $62,000, commensurate with experience.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Streetscape and Public Space Management:

• Manage and oversee the Downtown Alliance’s streetscape program, including street furniture, wayfinding, signage, lighting, and other infrastructure elements.
  • This includes coordinating public space improvements, conducting field inventories and condition analyses, and working closely with contractors, professional consultants, and City officials
• Manage internal reporting system to track streetscape asset conditions
• Identify maintenance needs and coordinate timely repairs with both our in-house maintenance team and maintenance contractor
• Manage contracts, purchasing, and vendors:
  • Oversee contracts pertaining to streetscape and public space maintenance and improvements
  • Prepare Request for Proposals (RFPs), evaluate proposals for streetscape and public space maintenance, and hire and oversee consultants
  • Maintain relationships with existing vendors, monitoring performance and adjusting contracts as necessary
• Prepare and manage streetscape budget, including monitoring inventory and expenses over the course of the fiscal year
• Maintain accurate database of streetscape elements in ArcPro
• Perform field work by regularly checking on the condition of streetscape elements, public spaces, maintenance and repair work, and quality of life issues

Planning:

• Manage updating of district land use map and creation of other maps
• Oversee annual ridership surveys for the Alliance’s bus service, the Downtown Connection, including data entry, analysis, and final report
• Collaborate with internal departments to implement public space-related projects as needed
• Conduct research, mapping, and graphic assignments as needed

Community Engagement:

• Respond to constituent inquiries concerning all streetscape and quality-of-life-related inquiries
• Maintain and build external stakeholder relationships with City agencies, local Community Board, property managers, utilities, construction liaisons, and other organizations
• Represent the Downtown Alliance at public meetings, as needed

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, geography, urban design, public administration, or related field with at least 3 years of related professional experience; Master’s degree preferred and may be substituted for years of experience
• Strong proficiency with ArcMap
• Proficiency with graphic design applications, such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, Illustrator experience highly preferred
• Experience working with city agencies is a plus
• Experience using Salesforce is a plus

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent written, verbal, and graphic communications skills
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills
• Comfortable working independently and conducting fieldwork
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including field staff, city agencies, vendors, contractors, and the general public
• Demonstrated interest in and strong commitment to the quality of the public realm in New York City

REQUIREMENT

• Candidate must agree to undergo a background check.

The Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc. offers a very competitive benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401k plan, commuter benefit, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, tuition assistance, paid time off, and Citibike membership. Salary ranges between $58,000 and $62,000, commensurate with experience.

The Alliance for Downtown New York is an equal-opportunity employer. For more information about the scope of our work, please consult www.downtownny.com.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and relevant work samples (GIS and Illustrator preferred) in a single PDF to jobs@downtownny.com. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.