Review Vacancy
AgencyEnvironmental Conservation, Department of
TitleEnvironmental Program Specialist 1 / Trainee 1 / 2 - NY HELPS
Occupational CategoryI.T. Engineering, Sciences
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $53764 to $85138 Annually
Appointment Type Contingent Permanent
Duties Description The Environmental Program Specialist 1 (EPS1) position within the Division of Lands and Forests (DLF), Division Direction Bureau (DDB), Contracts, Grants, and Procurements Section, will provide centralized contract, procurement, fiscal tracking, and administrative support for timber sales conducted on State Forests and Wildlife Management Areas. This position will primarily support the Bureau of Forest Resource Management’s State Forest Management Section, which manages timber harvesting, recreation, and other public use on over 800,000 acres of State Forests, and will assist regional and Central Office staff in the Division of Lands and Forests and Division of Fish & Wildlife by helping ensure that timber sale contracts are properly advertised, awarded, executed, tracked, administered, and closed out in coordination with the Division of Fiscal Management. The position serves as a link between forestry program staff, administrative and fiscal staff, contractors, insurance representatives, and other internal and external partners and will be supervised by an EPS2 in the DDB Contracts, Grants, and Procurements Section, who can provide guidance and assistance with contractual, procurement, fiscal, and administrative processes when needed.
Duties will include:
Administer timber sale contracts for State Forests and Wildlife Management Areas, including preparing and routing documents, tracking contract status, processing payments, extensions, performance bond returns, overdue notices, and closeout materials.
Serve as the primary liaison with the Division of Fiscal Management, DLF and DFW program staff, timber sale contractors, and insurance representatives to support timely and accurate contract administration and communication about contracts, payments, insurance documentation, performance bonds, overdue payments, and other contract-related requirements.
Track the progress of timber sale contracts from advertisement through award, execution, payment, extension, closeout, and performance bond return.
Administer executed timber sale contracts, including entering payments in the Statewide Financial System, tracking contract payments, and coordinating with fiscal staff to resolve processing issues.
Maintain organized records of timber sale contract documents, correspondence, payment information, and related administrative materials.
Maintain public and internal timber sale information on the Department’s website, including public timber sale advertisements, bid results, internal bid calendars, SharePoint pages, and related notices.
Coordinate State Forest Management Section procurements and contracts related to timber sale program needs, including paint purchase authority, regional tree marking and boundary line paint, and pesticide and forest restoration contracts.
Provide guidance and support to regional and Central Office staff on timber sale contract administration procedures, documentation requirements, and tracking tools.
Help identify and resolve contract processing, payment, documentation, insurance, performance bond, or other administrative issues.
Assist with special assignments, process improvements, file organization, shared tracking systems, and other contract, procurement, and fiscal tasks related to timber sales, State Forest program administration, and Bureau of Forest Resource Management support.
Preferred Qualifications:
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple contract, fiscal, procurement, and administrative tasks at the same time.
Experience with contract administration, procurement, fiscal tracking, payment processing, or related administrative support functions.
Experience using spreadsheets, databases, SharePoint, Microsoft Office, the Statewide Financial System, or similar systems to track deadlines, payments, contract status, fiscal information, and work progress.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with program staff, fiscal staff, contractors, insurance representatives, and other internal and external contacts.
Ability to review documents for completeness, accuracy, consistency, and adherence to applicable procedures.
Ability to identify problems, gather information, coordinate with appropriate staff, and recommend or implement practical solutions.
Ability to work independently and professionally while also functioning as part of a small contracts, grants, and procurements team.
Familiarity with forestry, State Forest management, timber sales, natural resources programs, or public sector contract and procurement processes.
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, 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.
Qualifications for NYHELPS or 55b/c* appointment are:
EPS TRAINEE 1:
Four years or experience in a position where you have responsibility for the following: development and implementation of program policies and procedures; preparing and interpreting rules and regulations; development, preparation, and management of procurement (solicitation) documents, contracts, or grants; providing non-engineering technical assistance and information to consultants, public officials, and facility managers; collecting data, reviewing alternatives, performing qualitative or quantitative policy analyses; writing technical or programmatic reports; developing, implementing, analyzing, and evaluating programs; developing and implementing expenditure plans, procuring external funding sources, collecting and forecasting the impact of funding or organizational change efforts; assisting with the development of environmental public information campaigns.
*An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.
EPS TRAINEE 2:
Five years or experience in a position where you have responsibility for the following: development and implementation of program policies and procedures; preparing and interpreting rules and regulations; development, preparation, and management of procurement (solicitation) documents, contracts, or grants; providing non-engineering technical assistance and information to consultants, public officials, and facility managers; collecting data, reviewing alternatives, performing qualitative or quantitative policy analyses; writing technical or programmatic reports; developing, implementing, analyzing, and evaluating programs; developing and implementing expenditure plans, procuring external funding sources, collecting and forecasting the impact of funding or organizational change efforts; assisting with the development of environmental public information campaigns.
*An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.
EPS1:
Six years or experience in a position where you have responsibility for the following: development and implementation of program policies and procedures; preparing and interpreting rules and regulations; development, preparation, and management of procurement (solicitation) documents, contracts, or grants; providing non-engineering technical assistance and information to consultants, public officials, and facility managers; collecting data, reviewing alternatives, performing qualitative or quantitative policy analyses; writing technical or programmatic reports; developing, implementing, analyzing, and evaluating programs; developing and implementing expenditure plans, procuring external funding sources, collecting and forecasting the impact of funding or organizational change efforts; assisting with the development of environmental public information campaigns.
*An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.
EPS 1: * If applying under the 55b/c, candidates must include with their resume or application, a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55b/c program.
Candidates may also be eligible via the following:
Reassignment - Currently in the title and an employee of DEC or Reinstatement Eligible - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis or held a title as indicated under the transfer eligible section on a permanent competitive basis.
Or
Transfer Eligible - One year of permanent competitive service at Salary Grade 11 or higher and either: Eligible for transfer under Section 70.4: Must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below;
Or
Eligible for transfer under Section 70.1: Permanent competitive service as an Environmental Program Specialist 1 (including trainees), Program Aide, Administrative Specialist 1, Biologist1(Aquatic), (Ecology), (Marine), (Wildlife), Public Participation Specialist 1, Environmental Analyst 1 and Trainee 1 &2, Environmental Engineering Technician 2 & 3, Fish and Wildlife Technician 2&3, Legal Assistant 2, Mineral Resources Technician2,Pesticide Control Specialist 1 & 2, Public Health Specialist 2 Environmental, Sanitary Construction Inspector 2, Senior Engineering Research Editor.
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.
Telecommuting may be available up to 50% of work schedule, 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.
Please be advised, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation does not use E-Verify, and we are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT).
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address PostingResponses@dec.ny.gov
Address
Personnel, 10th Floor
Notes on ApplyingPlease email/mail your resume to the above address. Be sure to include Vacancy
#26-217810 on your resume and also in the subject line of the email or it may not be accepted. If you are qualified based on your education, you must also include a copy of your college transcript.