Review Vacancy
AgencyEnvironmental Conservation, Department of
TitleReal Estate Specialist 2 (Conservation) - NY HELPS
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $86681 to $109650 Annually
Duties Description This Real Estate Specialist 2 (RES2) position resides in the Division of Lands and Forests, Bureau of Forest Preserve and Conservation. The Bureau of Forest Preserve and Conservation is responsible for managing New York State’s Forest Preserve lands, conservation easements, and land conservation grant programs to protect and enhance public lands and natural resources.
The successful candidate will act as the Land Acquisition Grant Program Coordinator, supervising two or more professional employees in various Civil Service titles serving as Grant Associates for multiple programs. Under the supervision of senior program staff, the candidate will be responsible for planning, development, and implementation of a new statewide land acquisition grant program funded by the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act (Bond Act). This role requires close coordination with the Bureau of Real Property and the Bureau of Division Direction's Contracts, Grants, and Procurement Unit to ensure effective land transactions, compliance with procurement policies, and efficient grant administration.
This position also requires collaboration with other DEC divisions and offices, state and local agencies, environmental organizations, land trusts, and grant recipients to facilitate effective land conservation and acquisition projects in alignment with the Bond Act, the Open Space Conservation Plan, New York State’s 30x30 commitment to support the national goal of conserving 30% of United States lands and waters by 2030, and other related initiatives.
Specific Duties Include:
1.Land Acquisition Grant Program Development and Administration:
•Overseeing continuous development and refinement of the land acquisition grant program.
•Developing grant program guidelines and bid instructions.
•Conducting grant application reviews, evaluations, and selections.
•Supporting award announcements and contract development.
•Reviewing deliverables, including title reports, appraisals, survey maps, and expenses.
•Tracking project completion and documenting success stories.
•Conducting outreach and communicating with applicants, land trusts, municipalities, and other stakeholders at various stages of grant procurement.
2.Real Property Research and Transactions:
•Performing ownership and real estate title research of properties recommended for land acquisition.
•Preparing and reviewing valuations for easements and land acquisitions.
•Ensuring compliance with relevant state and federal regulations.
3.Data Management and Reporting:
•Maintaining the integrity of data collected throughout the grant process (e.g., application, review, and scoring).
•Preparing periodic reports on program performance.
•Identifying and implementing improvements to data storage and reporting systems.
4.Supervision and Program Oversight:
•Directly supervising program staff.
•Assigning work, providing technical guidance, and ensuring the timely completion of program objectives.
•Conducting staff evaluations and encouraging professional development.
5.Public Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement:
•Engaging with the public, land trusts, municipalities, and state agencies to facilitate effective land conservation initiatives.
•Coordinating outreach activities to inform potential bidders about grant opportunities.
•Organizing and participating in public hearings, informational sessions, and stakeholder meetings.
Preferred Qualifications:
•Familiarity with NYS land conservation programs at local and statewide levels.
•Experience administering NYS or Federally funded grants for land acquisition.
•Expertise in real property procedures related to land acquisition.
•Experience with data management, analysis, reporting, and quality assurance.
•Proficiency with GIS, database management, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access).
•Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
•Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Minimum Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree and three years of experience performing inspections and/or appraisals of environmental or recreational lands to include writing detailed original appraisal reports or appraisal reviews, leasing financing of real property with banks, lending institutions, mortgage organizations, or other financial organizations; OR writing detailed original appraisal reports or appraisal reviews in connection with land acquisition for a Public land acquisition agency, utility companies, or Not For Profit conservation organizations;
OR, a NYS Land Surveyor’s license with current registration and two years of experience performing inspections and/or appraisals of environmental or recreational lands to include writing detailed original appraisal reports or appraisal reviews, leasing financing of real property with banks, lending institutions, mortgage organizations, or other financial organizations; OR writing detailed original appraisal reports or appraisal reviews in connection with land acquisition for a Public land acquisition agency, utility companies, or Not For Profit conservation organizations;
OR, certification as a NYS General Certified Appraiser and four years of experience performing inspections and/or appraisals of vacant, environmental or recreational lands to include writing detailed original appraisal reports or appraisal reviews, leasing financing of real property with banks, lending institutions, mortgage organizations, or other financial organizations; OR writing detailed original appraisal reports or appraisal reviews in connection with land acquisition for a Public land acquisition agency, utility companies, or Not For Profit conservation organizations;
OR, seven years of experience performing inspections and/or appraisals of environmental or recreational lands to include writing detailed original appraisal reports or appraisal reviews, leasing financing of real property with banks, lending institutions, mortgage organizations, or other financial organizations; OR writing detailed original appraisal reports or appraisal reviews in connection with land acquisition for a Public land acquisition agency, utility companies, or Not For Profit conservation organizations.
Non-Qualifying Appraisal Experience: Preparing Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) Reports.
Non-Qualifying Work Experience: Work as a Real Estate Agent of Real Estate Broker.
Reassignment Qualifications: Currently in the title and an employee of DEC
Reinstatement Qualifications: Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis.
70.1 Transfer Qualifications: One year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55 B/C service as a Real Estate Specialist 2 or Real Property Analyst 2
Additional Comments Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.
Travel may be required.
Overnight travel may be required.
Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview.
We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:
• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more...
For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.