NY HELPNo

AgencyParks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Office of

TitleParks and Recreation Aide 5 (Water Quality Unit)

Occupational CategoryClerical, Secretarial, Office Aide

Salary GradeHourly

Bargaining UnitOSU - Operational Services Unit (CSEA)

Salary RangeFrom $20.45 to $20.45 Hourly

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Temporary

Jurisdictional Class Labor Class

Travel Percentage 20%

Workweek Other (see below)

"Other" Explanation Anticipated work dates- May 18th, 2026- September 7, 2026.

Hours Per Week 37.50

Workday

From 9 AM

To 5 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? No

County Albany

Street Address Main Office

625 Broadway

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12238

Duties Description The Water Quality Program Assistant will assist the Water Quality Unit with achieving unit goals and will collaborate closely with unit staff. The applicant must be able to work as a member of a small team and be comfortable working in the office and the field. The applicant must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be meticulous in the collection and handling of data. This position may also serve to satisfy a student internship need.

Job Duties:

• Pick-up and drop-off water samples from State Parks as needed to labs.
• Review and assess historical paper files for scanning.
• Preform quality checks to verify that all entered data and scanned files are complete and accurately stored.
• Organize and categorize scanned files according to unit needs.
• Record daily park beach water quality lab reports and field sheets in databases.
• Perform functional tests on field equipment to identify defects, damage, or wear and coordinate repair.
• Assist with field work preparation including equipment loading, mapping, and coordination with regional staff and/or partners.
• Potential fieldwork could include collecting water and plant samples on foot or by boat, conducting tests for various water quality parameters, collaborating with partners on data collection, and assisting with aquatic invasive species management.
• Assist Water Quality Unit staff with other program tasks as needed.

Minimum Qualifications There are no minimum qualifications for this title per Civil Service.

Additional Comments OPERATIONAL NEEDS:
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license that allows the candidate to legally operate a motor vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment.
• Able to stand/walk for long periods, frequently bend/stoop, and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or in a vehicle and working on a computer.
• Able to work outdoors in variable conditions (long hours, inclement weather, heat, humidity, cold, biting insects).
• Perform work on unpaved, uneven surfaces (tripping hazards).
• Perform work in, on, and around water (rivers, lakes, oceans, etc.).

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
• Ability to work and interact with the public professionally.
• Strong attention to detail and basic understanding of digital file management.
• Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Excellent communication, data management, technical writing, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience performing water quality sampling.
• Previous water quality-related coursework, fieldwork, professional experience; experience with creating educational materials; proficiency with ArcGIS.
• Completed or pursuing a degree in biology, environmental science, natural resources, or related field is preferred.
• Microsoft Office experience.
• NYS Safe Boating Safety Certificate
• One year of college with coursework in biology, ecology, natural resources, or related field; proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; excellent communication and writing skills.

BENEFITS:
This position has the option to join the NYS Employee’s Retirement System and may be eligible for health insurance, dental and vision coverage as well as the opportunity for paid time off in the form of vacation, sick, personal and holiday leave after time and service requirements has been met.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Name Sarah Moss

Telephone

Fax

Email Address sarah.moss@parks.ny.gov

Address

Street Main Office

625 Broadway

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12238

Notes on ApplyingIf you feel you meet 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 download an employment application from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website at www.parks.ny.gov/employment (Region of Employment: Albany Office/Peebles Island). Please email your completed application with a resume and cover letter to Sarah Moss (she/her) at sarah.moss@parks.ny.gov with the subject line: "PRA5 Water Quality Unit". Application period will be closed April 1st 2026.

It is the responsibility of each applicant to accurately describe their experience and demonstrate that they meet the agency’s operating needs.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities and workplace diversity.

New York State (NYS) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, carrier status, gender identity or prior conviction records, or prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications or sealed records unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.