About the role#
The Research & Development Fellow supports the NYC Green Fund through the Technical Assistance department. You will spend six months piloting a networking and peer-exchange initiative for grassroots leaders who steward local parks and open spaces. This role involves convening grantees, researching best practices for peer-knowledge exchange, and evaluating how public space activations build community. You will report to the Technical Assistance Director and work as part of a team.
What you'll do#
- Research and document best practices for peer-knowledge exchange and facilitation.
- Develop workplans to host 3 to 5 networking events for NYC Green Fund Grassroots grantees.
- Coordinate all event logistics, including scheduling, space reservations, catering, and communication.
- Facilitate peer-to-peer discussions and serve as a primary liaison between grantees, City Parks Foundation, and NYC Parks.
- Attend grantee-funded events to interview local leaders and evaluate community impact.
- Analyze site visit data and event feedback to produce assessment reports.
- Assist the Grants team in developing surveys to inform future programming.
What you'll need#
- Graduate students or professionals with at least 12 graduate credits in urban placemaking, city planning, education, public administration, management, or a related field.
- A minimum of three years of work experience.
- Knowledge of public space programming in New York City.
- Ability to research, synthesize, and recommend best practices.
- Effective public speaking and active listening skills.
- Experience in community event promotion and engagement.
- Ability to travel across NYC boroughs for meetings and events.
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional nights and weekends.
Location & details#
- Location: New York, NY.
- Term: Summer 2026 (6-month fellowship).
- Modality: Hybrid.
- Employment: Full-time, paid position.
- Note: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not available.
About City Parks Foundation
City Parks Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization based in New York. It operates programs across all five boroughs of the city. The organization focuses on arts, environmental education, sports, and community initiatives in public parks. It manages the SummerStage festival, the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, and the PuppetMobile. The staff size ranges from 51 to 200 employees.
How to get in at City Parks Foundation
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