We’re Hiring A Park Manager!
Join Our Team!
The Opportunity
The Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy (RWPC) is a not-for-profit organization created to see through the community’s transformative vision for the 100+ acre City of Buffalo waterfront park by creating an inclusive, accessible, safe and fun space for everyone. The community-driven park design was developed through Imagine LaSalle led by the University of Buffalo Regional Institute, and ultimately designed by world renowned landscape architects, Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates. A multi-phased construction effort began in July 2023 with initial focus on two, additional major infrastructure projects: 1) transforming the vertical concrete seawall to a natural, armored slope and inlet on the south end to ensure structural resiliency, improve habitat, and reduce flooding; and 2) installing our signature pedestrian bridge over the I-190 to increase safe access to the waterfront from the lower west side through the 4th street park. The first phase of Ralph Wilson Park will open in mid-2026.
RWPC is seeking a Park Manager to serve as the senior on-site leader responsible for the daily operations, maintenance, and security of this ambitious new public space. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Park Manager will oversee both in-house and contracted teams to ensure the park is clean, safe, beautiful, and welcoming every day.
This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role. No two days are the same.
Leadership Profile
We are seeking a curious, adaptable, and solutions-oriented leader who thrives in dynamic environments and has strong experience managing parks, landscapes or facilities. We value strong operational judgment, the ability to lead diverse teams, and a demonstrated track record of solving complex, real-world problems.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Maintenance
- Lead day-to-day park operations with a focus on cleanliness, functionality, and excellent visitor experience. Develop inspection programs for buildings, grounds, roads, pathways, playgrounds and trees.
- Develop, implement, and maintain preventive and routine maintenance schedules for landscapes, playgrounds, hardscape, waterfront areas, infrastructure, and facilities and equipment.
- Coordinate repairs, improvements, and special projects in partnership with internal teams and external vendors/contractors.
- Oversee inventory of maintenance supplies, tools, equipment, and vehicles, ensuring appropriate storage, safety, and restocking.
Team Leadership
- Supervise, mentor, and schedule both in-house maintenance staff and contracted service teams (grounds, trades, custodial, security, etc.).
- Recruit, train, and evaluate seasonal and part-time team members. Develop performance programs, job hazard analysis procedures for assigned tasks.
- Promote a culture of safety, professionalism, responsiveness, and teamwork among all park staff.
Security & Safety
- Partner with contracted security providers and internal leadership to ensure a safe, welcoming park environment for all visitors.
- Respond to emergencies and unusual incidents; coordinate with public safety partners as needed.
- Ensure compliance with all safety policies, liability best practices, and relevant regulations.
Event & Program Support
- Collaborate with programming and events teams to support setup, breakdown, and maintenance needs related to park events.
- Adjust operational plans to accommodate daily visitor flows, special events, weather impacts, or construction activity.
Budgeting & Administration
- Assist in developing and managing the maintenance and security budget.
- Track labor hours, vendor invoices, equipment expenses, and supplies.
- Produce operational reports, performance metrics, and improvement recommendations for leadership.
- Serve as the staff lead for the Maintenance, Operations, and Security Committee of the Board of Directors, ensuring alignment with RWPC’s mission and goals.
Community & Visitor Engagement
- Develop and manage successful relationships with key stakeholders, including city partners, contractors, and community members, to ensure seamless and effective park operations.
- Be a visible and approachable presence in the park — welcoming visitors, answering operational questions, and identifying opportunities for enhancements.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 5+ years of experience in park operations, facilities management, grounds maintenance, or equivalent field.
- Demonstrated experience managing maintenance teams and third-party vendors.
- Strong understanding of park infrastructure systems (landscape, irrigation, building systems, playground equipment).
- Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment with changing daily demands.
- Proficiency with standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office, scheduling tools).
- Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and adapt to new challenges, with examples of process improvements, new skills acquired, or innovative solutions implemented.
- Proven experience solving complex problems, evidenced by specific projects or initiatives that required creative and effective solutions.
- Track record of successful leadership and team management, including examples of building or motivating high-performing teams.
- Experience developing and executing strategic plans, managing budgets, and optimizing organizational efficiency.
- NYS Driver’s License.
- Reside in the City of Buffalo.
Work Environment & Schedule
- This role is on-site and highly active, involving frequent movement throughout varied park environments.
- Must be available for occasional evenings, weekends, and public events as required, and able to respond and return to work for emergencies.
- Physical requirements include walking the full park footprint daily and ability to occasionally lift up to 30–40 lbs.
Why This Role Matters
This is a rare opportunity to help launch and steward one of the most significant public park investments in Buffalo’s history, and to build maintenance and security systems that will serve the community for generations.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this position is $65,000-90,000, commensurate with experience. Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy offers a competitive benefits package.
To Apply
Please send your resume, cover letter, and three references to jobs@rwparkbuffalo.org. We encourage interested candidates to apply early. RWPC will begin reviewing applications immediately, with interviews planned for early January and an anticipated February start date. This timing will allow the Park Manager to play a meaningful role in preparing the park for its highly anticipated summer reopening.
In your cover letter, please highlight 2–3 experiences that best demonstrate your ability to lead complex operations, maintenance, and security in dynamic environments. We are especially interested in understanding how you’ve managed facilities, parks and other big projects. We are interested in how you have managed through projects where no two days are alike, and how those experiences prepare you to lead operations, maintenance, and security for a world-class public park.
We strongly encourage applicants from historically underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy is committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the community it serves.
Download the PDF of the job description.
