Public Employee Press

114 Promoted in August
New Parks Supervisors

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS



The 114 employees promoted to Parks Supervisor in an Aug. 24 ceremony in Flushing Meadows Park marked major milestones in their own civil service careers and in the recent history of the Parks Dept., for this was the first major promotion to Supervisor in 24 years.

"Behind every great park is a dedicated Supervisor," said Commissioner Adrian Benepe, who handed out certificates and brass collar bars to each promotee. "Parks Supervisors are the backbone of this agency. You coordinate the day-to-day operations and have one of the hardest jobs on the front lines."

The group was one of the largest and most racially diverse in the agency's history and included 30 women. Most began their climb up the career ladder as City Parks Workers, Climbers and Pruners, Gardeners or Job Training Participants.

With dedication, hard work and opportunity, some advanced in as few as three or four years, said Blue Collar Council Rep Bob Gervasi, depending on when the city offered promotion exams and hired from the lists. Parks Supervisors base pay is $58,000 a year.

"This is a special time," said Local 1508 President Mike Zeno, who congratulated his newest members "for doing a terrific job despite the challenges of a shrinking work force."

Parks Supervisors motivate staff, plan work schedules and provide training for full-time and seasonal employees, JTPs and similar workers, youth employment program participants and offenders assigned to community service. They work in severe weather and oversee horticulture, equipment and maintenance, forestry, technology and recreational activities.

Assistant Commissioner Liam Kavanaugh cheered on the new Supervisors and challenged them "to maintain parks at a high standard." He praised Benepe and DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts on the recent voluntary attrition agreement that averted 500 layoffs.