Review Vacancy
AgencyEnvironmental Conservation, Department of
TitleEnvironmental Program Specialist 1 including Trainee 1 and 2
Occupational CategoryAdministrative or General Management
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $47925 to $80248 Annually
Appointment Type Contingent Permanent
Minimum Qualifications 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, Biologist 1 (Aquatic), (Ecology), (Marine), (Wildlife), Public Participation Specialist 1, Environmental Analyst 1 and Trainee 1 & 2, Environmental Engineering Technician 2 & 3, Fish and Wildlife Technician 3, Legal Assistant 2, Mineral Resources Technician 2, Pesticide Control Specialist 1 & 2, Public Health Specialist 2 Environmental, Sanitary Construction Inspector 2, Senior Engineering Research Editor.
55-b/55-c Candidates must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below and include with their resume or application, a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55-b/55-c program.
Open competitive minimum qualifications (provided for 55b/c candidates and 70.4 transfer eligible): bachelor's or higher degree in accounting, agricultural engineering, agricultural science, agronomy, animal science, atmospheric science, aquatic science, bacteriology, biochemistry, bioengineering, biology, botany, business administration, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, civil engineering technology, climate change, coastal resources management, communications, computer engineering, computer science, construction engineering, conservation biology, cultural resources and historic preservation studies, data analysis, earth sciences, ecology, economics, ecosystem management, engineering technology, environmental biology, environmental education, environmental engineering, environmental health, environmental planning, environmental policy, environmental science, environmental studies, environmental toxicology, fisheries and wildlife sciences, forest engineering, forest science, forestry, genetics, geochemistry, geographic information systems, geography, geological engineering, geology, hydrology, industrial design, industrial engineering, landscape architecture, marine science, mathematics, manufacturing engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, mechanical engineering, meteorology, microbiology, molecular biology, natural resources, natural resources conservation, natural resources management, natural resources planning, natural science, packaging science, physical science, physics, product design, public administration, public policy studies, sustainability, toxicology, urban forestry, urban planning, urban studies, water resource engineering, water resources management, wildlife management, wildlife science, or zoology.
Duties Description This position is part of a small team within the NYS DEC Division of Lands & Forests (DLF), Contracts and Grants Unit responsible for procurement and contract management in support of New York State’s forest restoration and climate resiliency, Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, State Forests, invasive species management, forest ecosystem health, private land forestry, and open space conservation programs. This unit assists foresters, natural resource planners, real property, outreach and administrative staff, and program managers; communicating with Department-wide Division of Management and Budget Services (DMBS) staff to ensure that contracts, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), and grants follow all procurement rules, are advertised and executed in a timely manner, and are managed properly throughout the contract term.
The Division currently administers five different competitive grant programs. Additional grant programs are expected in support of the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs (CWCAGJ) Environmental Bond Act of 2022. The Division also has an increasing amount of service contracts, MOUs, and procurements to administer resulting from the increased Environmental Protection Fund.
The successful candidate for this position will be passionate about bringing DLF projects and programs to fruition and prompt and proactive in communications, while maintaining a structured approach and steadfast patience to navigate multiple process steps, coordinating and organizing a large quantity of document files and working on projects collaboratively.
This position is particularly focused on the following responsibilities:
1. Procurement and Contract Management
• Learn about New York State and DEC procurement options, rules, and policies and advise DLF staff on appropriate procurement options for their project(s).
• Review project or program scopes of work for quality and precision of work descriptions.
• Develop request for quotes, invitation for bids, and request for proposals procurement documents in coordination with DLF program staff and DMBS staff and assist staff with the process of advertising, communicating requirements, and collecting responses.
• Manage a portfolio of grant contracts with a focus on the fiscal administration of longstanding state assistance commitments including grants supporting the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, Long Island Central Pine Barrens Policy and Planning Commission, Paul Smiths College Visitor Interpretive Center, and Catskill Visitor Center.
• Assist with administration of competitive grant programs and development of new competitive grant programs
• Manage a suite of inter-agency MOUs which support partnership projects with a focus on fiscal administration drawing on multiple funding sources
• Coordinate with DLF staff and DMBS staff to develop procurement record documentation.
• Communicate with grant recipients, vendors, and DEC staff with a customer service approach.
• Help grant recipients complete contract-related tasks in the State’s Grants Management System (e.g., developing workplans and budgets) and track the progress of projects.
• Review, process, and track payment requests and develop custom payment reporting forms for major contracts.
2. Financial Management Information System (FMIS) and Statewide Financial System (SFS)
• Develop functional familiarity with DEC’s legacy internal financial management system.
• Process contract transactions, enter contract details, create encumbrances, and make contract payments.
• Track recurring state assistance funding appropriations to ensure proper accounting and utilization of available funds.
• Review budgets and Agency spending plans to ensure that payments are charged to appropriate funding sources
• Produce SFS reports for program staff and verify that transactions entered in FMIS are transferred to SFS correctly.
3. Information Sharing and Work Planning
• Assist with developing and maintaining shared spreadsheets to track work planning and project development, funding availability and utilization, federal grants, contract payments, and work progress.
• Perform time-critical work so that updated information is available to program staff when needed for next steps to progress at critical junctures throughout the fiscal year.
• Develop reasonable timetables for development of new contracts and agreements, ensure progress in accordance with established timeframes, and share results with the Division.
4. Federal Grants
• Assist with the preparation of federal grant applications and amendments as necessary.
• Develop familiarity with the Grants.gov platform and finding available grants.
• Assist with Federal accounting and monitoring grant spending during the term of the grant.
5. Other
• Develop familiarity with the state budget process, laws, and resources relevant to procurement in DLF (e.g., State Finance Law, Environmental Protection Fund budget, and Guide to Financial Operations published by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller).
• Administer commodity procurements to support general office operations and immediate purchasing needs for DLF.
Preferred Qualifications
The successful candidate should have the following preferred qualifications:
• Accounting background or experience with fiscal / financial management, especially SFS.
• Performance of individual responsibilities; tasks belonging solely to the candidate, within a teamwork setting.
• Personal accountability for time, attendance, professional communications, and performance
• Experience with competitive and noncompetitive grant programs or State procurements.
• Familiarity with projects and/or programs related to forest restoration and climate resiliency, Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, State Forests, invasive species management, forest ecosystem health, private land forestry and open space conservation.
• Expertise in MS Office Suite, especially proper best practices in the use of MS Excel.
• Ability to develop automated processes in Excel or other database software.
• Use of MS Teams and Gantt charts to track, update and communicate annual fiscal and contract project planning timetables.
• Experience with work planning and funds utilization within a large organization.
• Experience initiating a new project or procedure, working on its planning and execution all the way through to its completion.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
Additional Comments Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position. Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.