Environmental Program Specialist 1 / Trainee 1 / 2 – NY HELPS

The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description Under the overall direction of the Director of Outdoor Recreation, this position will provide strategic communications, outreach, and project support to the Office of Outdoor Recreation. The Communications Specialist will work with DEC’s Division of Communication, Education, and Engagement, natural resources divisions, and other divisions, offices, and regions within DEC as well as with partner agencies to advance communications and engagement strategies and facilitate effective internal and external communications.

• Serve as the Office’s Communications Specialist, with responsibility for working with program staff to develop and implement communications and outreach strategies to promote Office programs, events, and initiatives to a diversity of New Yorkers.
• Develop and maintain an editorial calendar for the Office.
• Coordinate and develop content for outdoor recreation blog, monthly email newsletter, and social media.
• Coordinate and develop content for print publications, videos, presentations, and other outreach and marketing tools.
• Assist with facilitation of internal outdoor recreation promotions working group and implementation of identified strategies.
• Assist with and represent the Office and Department at community events, internal and external meetings, and other public outreach events.
• Assist with press releases and press events.
• Document and evaluate the effectiveness of communications activities and outcomes.
• Stay abreast of current outreach and marketing research related to outdoor recreation and target audiences.
• Perform other duties or special projects as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills to effectively engage with a variety of audiences.
• Experience coordinating print and digital communications on a schedule.
• Experience communicating with diverse community-based organizations, disadvantaged or environmental justice communities.
• Experience delivering public outreach or education programs.
• Strong project management and execution skills.
• Proficiency working with Microsoft Office suite and Adobe.

The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. 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 (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.

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 qualifying 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.

Candidates may also be eligible via the following:

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, Biologist1(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 Technician2,Pesticide Control Specialist 1 & 2, Public Health Specialist 2 Environmental, Sanitary Construction Inspector 2, Senior Engineering Research Editor.

55 b/c appointment: Must meet the minimum qualifications outlined above. Please note that if qualifying under the 55 b/c program, candidates must include with their resume or application a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55 b/c program

Additional comments regarding the vacancy. 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.

DEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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

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