Position Information

NY HELPNo

AgencyEnvironmental Conservation, Department of

TitleEnvironmental Education Assistant (Seasonal)

Occupational CategoryEducation, Teaching

Salary GradeHourly

Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)

Salary RangeFrom $17.82 to $17.82 Hourly

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Temporary

Jurisdictional Class Non-competitive Class

Travel Percentage 10%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 40

Workday

From 9 AM

To 5 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? No

Location

County Ulster

Street Address 21 S Putt Corners Rd

City New Paltz

StateNY

Zip Code12561

Job Specifics

Minimum Qualifications One year of experience in environmental education programs; or one year of college study with specialization in natural science, natural resources, or environmental education.

Duties Description Giant hogweed is an invasive plant with sap capable of causing injury to humans. In addition to being a public health hazard, giant hogweed plants decrease plant diversity and can lead to soil erosion. Giant hogweed plants are located in a variety of settings (e.g. riparian areas, fields, yards, forests). Control of these plants is very manageable when the plant numbers are few but a site can quickly grow from a few plants to many within a short time period. NYSDEC Forest Health’s giant hogweed control program assists public and private landowners by controlling the giant hogweed on their properties for them or providing training to them on how to control it themselves. The giant hogweed information line is an important part of our outreach program, typically responding to more than 2,000 calls and e-mails per year. The information line is available during the day, Monday through Friday throughout the field season, as a place for the public to call/e-mail with questions about giant hogweed, kudzu & other invasive species, have their plant photos verified, and to connect with the statewide control program. More information about giant hogweed and DEC’s statewide control program can be found online at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/39809.html.

The giant hogweed information line coordinator with the Division of Lands and Forest, Forest Health will be located out of the New Paltz DEC office. The information line coordinator will assist with many aspects of the giant hogweed and kudzu programs including database management and data entry, GIS polygon creation, editing and analysis, analyzing GIS data to determine stream survey program for upcoming season, providing information about giant hogweed and kudzu identification and control methods to the public, creating and leading outreach events such as facebook live, webinars and public presentations, answering giant hogweed and kudzu phone calls and e-mails, viewing plant photos to verify new sites, connecting landowners with confirmed sites to our control program, providing assistance to field crews, and controlling a small number of giant hogweed sites within the southeastern region of New York State.

Principal Duties:
• Responsible for managing the giant hogweed information line (over 2,000 calls/emails annually)
• Manage database of statewide Giant Hogweed and Kudzu infestations and associated information.
• Coordinate efforts of control crews working across New York State, as well as other program management tasks.
• Responsible for getting paperwork and training supplies ready for crews prior to field season.
• Responsible for scanning and processing paperwork and electronically filing photos post-season.
• Leading outreach events for the public and for staff- such as webinars, Facebook live events, and public presentations.
• Working with the BISEH outreach coordinator to create new outreach materials
• Prepare charts and graphs depicting information collected throughout the field season.
• Responsible for a variety of GIS tasks including polygon creation, editing crew polygons, creating reports and maps, setting up stream survey program and training crews on how to use GIS programs.
• Control Giant Hogweed infestations in eastern New York State. This is a labor-intensive process and involves using a shovel to cut the plant taproot 5 inches below ground level. Site & control information, photos and GIS polygons are collected at each site.

Additional Comments Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position. Must be able to negotiate difficult terrain, work in remote areas and in adverse weather conditions.

This is a seasonal, hourly appointment with a duration through 3/31/2023. Program needs and funding will determine actual termination date, which may be prior to date listed. Actual work schedule, duties and travel requirements may vary and will be discussed at interview.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Contact Information

Name Heath Boomhower

Telephone 518-402-9273

Fax 518-402-9038

Email Address PostingResponses@dec.ny.gov

Address

Street 625 Broadway

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12233

 

Notes on ApplyingPlease mail/email your resume to the above. Be sure to include Posting #22-483 on your resume and in the subject line of your email or it may not be accepted.