Review Vacancy
AgencyEnvironmental Conservation, Department of
TitlePublic Participation Specialist 2 - NY HELPS
Occupational CategoryAdministrative or General Management
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $78126 to $99056 Annually
Duties Description The Department of Environmental Conservation’s Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) works to address environmental issues and concerns that affect primarily low income and minority communities through grant opportunities, enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, consultation, guidance, and enhanced public participation.
The Outreach and Education section of OEJ is tasked with managing internal and externally facing outreach and education on behalf of the program. The Public Participation Specialist 2 will review and analyze DEC’s EJ related programs, offerings, and proposed actions, and identify the key issues for the purposes of developing outreach strategies and materials. The PPS2 will work to improve relations between DEC and environmental justice communities through targeted outreach, educational sessions, and constant contact via emails and newsletters. The PPS2 will act as surrogate spokesperson for OEJ, act as the central office contact person or coordinator regarding EJ and Climate Justice related issues, and work with programs in the development of trainings, outreach materials, press releases and media advisories. The PPS2 will be responsible for coordinating and attending internal and publicly facing events, facilitating public meetings, hearings, and other events, and assisting program staff.
Other duties may include working with consultants and acting as a contact person or coordinator among various agencies, interest groups, and the public. They would assist in the development, coordination and implementation of environmental justice focused media strategies, programs, and events.
The PPS 2 would, in addition to the duties described above, develop and implement environmental justice focused public participation and community outreach programs; provide guidance and oversight to staff in the development of communication projects in support of regional or statewide public participation projects targeting environmental justice and/or disadvantaged communities; prepare for and lead public meetings and other events by making site arrangements, preparing agendas, publicizing the event, and facilitating question and answer sessions with the public; write fact sheets for OEJ sections regarding project updates and progress; assist in public participation training; and may supervise Public Participation Specialists 1.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
•Point of contact for all environmental justice related outreach for the agency.
•Development of environmental justice outreach programs and strategies for the program and agency.
•Drafting quarterly newsletters, biweekly emails, and other outreach materials.
•Coordination and planning of public meetings, listening sessions, conferences, etc.
•Assisting internal programs with the development of environmental justice coordination and outreach strategies.
•Developing comprehensive outreach plans and developing and maintaining stakeholder lists.
•Marinating relationships with environmental justice advocacy groups and stakeholders.
•Speaking on behalf of OEJ during events such as workshops, resource fairs, trainings, public events, etc.
•Assisting in the establishment and facilitation of environmental and climate justice working groups, advisory groups, councils, and task forces.
•Supervision of the publication of environmental and climate justice initiatives across DEC programs and other opportunities across state government.
•Fostering communication and education between agencies, municipalities, and organizations.
•Development and implementation of OEJ program policies and procedures;
•Assisting with programmatic work under OEJ including, but not limited to grants development, public outreach and education, projects and programs related to the 2022 Bond Act.
•Reporting on and making recommendations, based on your own investigations, analysis and research.
•Drafting of programmatic reports related to environmental justice outreach strategies.
•Assisting other staff on additional program areas as outlined by the program director.
•Other duties as assigned by the Director
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.
To be eligible for appointment under NY HELPS, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications below:
Seven years of experience in the areas of natural resources management, environmental planning, urban planning, environmental regulation development, environmental interpretation, public policy analysis, public information, or public relations and outreach, which included developing and delivering professional presentations to technical or lay audiences or moderating, coordinating, facilitating, or leading public or stakeholder group meetings, or developing and presenting training or educational materials; developing and delivering professional presentations to public audiences, and planning and conducting public meetings; developing and presenting training and educational materials; or developing and implementing public involvement programs or activities.
Substitution:
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.
Qualifications for Provisional Appointment:
You must be a qualified employee of NYS and have had one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service as Public Participation Specialist 1.
Competitive 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.
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, 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.