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 $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.
For NY HELPS or 55 b/c appointment, qualifications are: Must meet the minimum qualifications below. Please note that 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.
TRAINEE 1: A bachelor's 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 education and interpretation, environmental engineering, environmental health, environmental planning, environmental policy, environmental science, environmental studies, environmental toxicology, fisheries and wildlife sciences, forest engineering, forest resource management, 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.
TRAINEE 2: A bachelors as noted above and one year of professional qualify experience.
EPS 1: A bachelor's as noted above and two years of qualifying experience.
Qualifying Experience: 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, and/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 and/or organizational change efforts; assisting with the development of environmental public information campaigns.
NOTE: a Juris Doctor, Master’s, or higher degree in a related field can substitute for one year of professional experience.
The successful candidate should have following preferred qualifications:
• Ability to find creative solutions to difficult and complex problems within a team atmosphere.
• Experience with competitive and noncompetitive grant programs.
• Strong public speaking skills and demonstrated ability to address controversial topics in a public setting.
• Familiarity with Federal, State and Local Agencies and Non-Governmental organizations involved in clean water programs.
• Experience working with State and Federal financial data systems.
• Expertise in MS Office Suite, especially proper best practices in the use of MS Excel.
• Experience using the “R” Statistical Computing Environment and/or Python or other tools to help automate processes, reporting, and statistics is a plus.
• Ability to develop automated processes in Excel or other spreadsheet software.
• Use of MS Teams and Gantt charts in developing project plans and delivery of project tracking.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
Duties Description Duties Description
Provide support to the Fiscal Planning and Management (FPM) Section, in the Division of Water’s (DOW) Bureau of Water Compliance, an integral part of the DOW’s operational structure responsible for the direct management of contracts and procurement and liaison to DEC’s Division of Management & Budget Services (MBS).
The Environmental Program Specialist 1 (EPS1), in the FPM Section, is responsible for providing overall fiscal and contract management support to DEC’s Great Lakes Program to develop, procure and manage all state and federally funded contracts necessary to advance federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative program objectives and New York State priorities in support of the Great Lakes Action Agenda. This position is intended to specifically support and manage all fiscal components of a federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Management Assistance Agreement (“grant”) between USEPA and DEC, and management of Environmental Protection Fund Oceans and Great Lakes funds. This includes all sub-awards, procurements, and other fiscal transactions and reporting requirements needed to fulfill DEC’s obligations under the GLRI grant and the Great Lakes Action Agenda. This position would coordinate and complete other contract management work within DEC’s Division of Water FPM Section as required.
Activities to be performed include but are not limited to:
1. Procurement and Contract Management
• Learn about New York State and DEC procurement options, rules, and policies and advise staff on appropriate procurement options for their project(s).
• Develop invitation for proposals and memorandums of understanding in coordination with DOW technical staff to procure services needed to implement components of DEC’s GLRI work plan and the Great Lakes Action Agenda.
• Coordinate with DOW staff to develop procurement record documentation.
• Communicate with sub-award recipients, vendors, and DEC staff.
• Review and process payment requests.
• Coordinate between DOW and MBS.
• Ensure that internal financial controls are followed.
2. Financial Management Information System (FMIS)
• Develop skills and familiarity with DEC’s internal financial management system.
• Process contract transactions, enter contract details, create encumbrances, and make payments.
• Develop familiarity with the Statewide Financial System (SFS) data to verify that transactions entered in FMIS are transferred to SFS correctly.
3. Federal Grants
• Assist with the preparation of federal grant applications and amendments.
• Assist with processing the applications following DOW and MBS procedures.
• Develop familiarity with the Grants.gov platform.
• Assist with monitoring grant spending during the grant term of the grant.
• Work with program staff to amend grants, as necessary.
4. Other
• Develop familiarity with the state budget process, laws, and resources relevant to procurement in DOW (e.g., State Finance Law, Environmental Protection Fund budget, and Guide to Financial Operations published by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller).
• Support general office operations for the DOW (e.g., records management and/or inventory management).
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. Overtime may be required. Overnight travel may be required. Weekends and holidays 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.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.