Review Vacancy
AgencyParks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Office of
TitleEnvironmental Educator 2 (NY HELPS)
Occupational CategoryEducation, Teaching
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $66951 to $85138 Annually
"Other" Explanation 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday - Thursday. Weekends, evenings & holiday shifts may be required.
Workday
Duties Description This Environmental Educator 2, serves as the manager of the Welcome Center Programming Department at Grafton Lakes State Park. The incumbent reports to the Park Managers at Grafton Lake State Park and serves as a key member of the Grafton Lakes State Parks team. Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Manages operation of Grafton Lakes Welcome Center including administration, staffing and programming.
• Maintains quality public service for visitors including welcome, orientation and answering questions and addressing concerns promptly and courteously. Provides well-maintained exhibit and activity areas, and tidy facilities.
• Develops, conducts and evaluates the effectiveness of environmental education and recreational programming for public at Grafton Lakes SP and Cherry Plain SP. This includes leading hands-on and interpretive programs, guided walks, presentations, and special events.
• Develops, conducts and evaluates effectiveness of environmental education lesson plans for a wide range of ages and groups. Develops teaching aids for schools, teachers, special groups by assessing needs, developing plans and educational goals, requesting and allocating resources for program implementation, and engaging alternate sources of funding. Also coordinates field trips with schoolteachers, principals and other group leaders.
• Maintains effective communication with Park Management, operations, and maintenance staff regarding pertinent operational needs and information related to Programming.
• Manages both NYS allocations and disbursements from the Natural Heritage Trust and education grants to efficiently provide programs, exhibits, programming upgrades and building maintenance and upgrades as needed.
• Manages digital and print media to advance public outreach. Promoting events by creating and distributing flyers, newsletters, social media, and emails to advance public outreach.
• Supervises, trains and evaluates program staff at Graton Lakes SP. Oversees the recruitment, training, and supervision of SCA interns.
• Maintains existing Park partnerships and fosters new partnerships, by building and preserving relationships, collaborating on projects and programs, joint initiatives, and managing effective communications to contribute to a shared vision and ensuring partnership success. Current partners include but are not limited to the Rensselaer County Conservation Alliance, Trout Unlimited, Albany Area Amateur Astronomers, Grafton Trail Blazers, Grafton Trail Riders.
• Acts as the liaison to the Friends of Grafton Lakes SP, serving as the point of contact to facilitate communication and collaboration with the Friends Group. Coordinate with Friends Group to facilitate them obtaining and completing PTNY and other grant funding.
• Oversees recruitment, training, scheduling, and supervising volunteers to ensure they effectively support the organization's goals. This includes managing volunteer records and hours, creating a positive experience for volunteers, and maintaining consistent communication with volunteers.
• Oversees the production of large events at Grafton Lakes SP and Cherry Plain SP. This includes coordination with programming, maintenance and operations teams to ensure completion of all tasks assigned to each team regarding event setup and breakdown. Park events include but are not limited to Winterfest, Ice Fishing Contest, Trout Day, I Love My Park Day, Run for the Roses, Bark & Brew, Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail, and Luminary Walk.
• Manages, develops and implements historic and environmental interpretive signage and exhibits for Grafton Lakes SP and Cherry Plain SP.
• Works with Natural Resources Stewardship (NRS) team to manage NRS at Grafton Lakes State Park and Cherry Plain State Park, including invasive species remediation. Also works with NRS team to contribute to the public education of NRS issues and management in the park, including the incorporation of NRS projects in volunteer recruitment and educational programming.
• Assist in directing facility maintenance, operations and supervising lower-level staff in the absence of the facility managers and supervisors and assist in other areas of site operations as directed, including handling emergency situations and reporting.
• Performing other duties as assigned by Park Management team.
Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS Qualifications:
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
Four years of experience in environmental conservation in a professional or technical capacity or professional teaching of environmental education and two years of experience teaching about or interpreting the natural world.
Substitution: An associate degree in biology, ecology, environmental education, environmental interpretation, environmental science, natural history, natural sciences, outdoor recreation or education or a closely related field can substitute for two years of environmental conservation experience. A bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental education, environmental interpretation, environmental science, natural history, natural sciences, outdoor recreation or education or a closely related field may substitute for four years of the environmental conservation experience.
*Environmental education is defined as teaching about or interpreting the natural world, the principles of ecology, natural resources management, and environmental quality management. It deals with the interrelationships of plants, animals, and the non-living environment and emphasizes human interactions with these components.
Examples of Acceptable Qualifying Experience: Experience as a naturalist at a nature setting; an instructor in an environmental education program; or as a designer of environmental education programs for youth organizations such as scouting groups, 4 H clubs, YMCA, etc.
Examples of Non-Qualifying Experience: Experience as a teacher of courses such as chemistry, physics, and biology; as a youth leader who carries out pre-established programs; or as a leader of outings for a conservation organization, etc.
** Administration of an environmental education program must have included responsibility for budgeting, planning, directing, or supervising.
*For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe 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.
COMPETITIVE QUALIFICATIONS:
Reassignment Qualifications:
You must be a current New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) employee with one year of permanent, competitive or 55-b/55-c service as Environmental Educator 2, SG-18.
Transfer Qualifications:
You must be a current New York State employee with one year of permanent, competitive or 55-b/55-c service as Environmental Educator 2, SG-18.
55-b/c Qualifications:
This position is eligible for 55b/c appointment, and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. To be eligible for a 55b/c appointment, candidate must be currently enrolled in the Civil Service 55b/c program and must meet the minimum qualifications listed above. To be considered, you must provide a copy of your letter of eligibility with your response and meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.
*If verifiable, we will accept and prorate appropriate part-time and volunteer experience.
Additional Comments BENEFITS:
Generous benefits package, worth approximately 65% of salary, including:
Paid Time Off
• PEF: 44 days – 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 5 personal leave days, 13 holidays
• Three (3) days of professional leave annually to participate in professional development
Health Care Benefits:
• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
Additional Benefits:
• New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Paid Parental Leave
To learn more about our benefits, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/employment/benefits.aspx
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address Saratoga.employment@parks.ny.gov
Address
Street Grafton Lakes State Park
PO Box 163
Notes on ApplyingIf you feel you meet the minimum qualifications and the agency’s operating needs, and are interested in being considered for this vacancy, you can obtain an Employment Application from your local park office, your region’s administrative headquarters or you can download an application from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation by visiting the website https://parks.ny.gov/documents/employment/FillableUpdatedParksEmployeeApplicationS1000Part1Saratoga.pdf
Please forward your application and resume, if available, within (10) business days of the posting of this notice to Melissa Miller, Park Manager 2, Grafton Lakes State Park, P.O. Box 163, Grafton, NY 12082 or email to melissaann.miller@parks.ny.gov. Park application and resume may also be emailed to: Saratoga.Employment@parks.ny.gov.
All qualified persons are invited and encouraged to apply. It is the responsibility of each applicant to accurately describe their experience and demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications and agency operating needs.