Review Vacancy
AgencyParks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Office of
TitleEnvironmental Educator 3 (NY HELPS)
Occupational CategoryEducation, Teaching
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $86681 to $109650 Annually
Duties Description The Environmental Educator 3, SG-23 is assigned to the Division of Environmental Stewardship and Planning (DESP). The Environmental Educator 3 will serve as the Friends of Recreation, Conservation and Environmental Stewardship (FORCES) coordinator located in Central Region. The focus of this position will be to ensure OPRHP’s seamless implementation of the FORCES program statewide and provide operation’s needs, management and oversight for lower-level staff including Environmental Educator 2 positions. This position will report to the Environmental Program Specialist 4 (Natural Resources), M-4.
The Environmental Educator 3 duties include but are not limited to:
• In coordination with DESP Division Director, administer the FORCES program, a major educational and environmental program within NYSOPRHP.
o Fiscal planning, preparing, and administering the FORCES budget.
o FORCES program development and review.
• Personnel administration, including supervision of staff in program implementation, training, and evaluating staff.
• Establishing clear work plans and workflows with staff that would be reviewed annually with the Division Director.
• Supervise records maintenance, report preparation, and ensure that resources are available to conduct programs.
• In coordination with DESP Division Director and Assistant Division Director,
o Develop and manage formal institutional agreements, including MOUs and other contracts.
o Develop and implement an internal strategy, including how to develop projects, how to work with State Parks staff, and develop internship opportunities,
o Develop and direct a FORCES strategic plan, including a clear process and structure for the program.
o Develop, implement, and evaluate long-term goals for the FORCES program to ensure that they meet program needs, and modify programs as priorities and needs evolve.
o Assist with the development of partner, park and program initiatives.
o Develop and submit grants and funding proposals.
o Write and send newsletter.
o Coordinate and direct FORCES strategy sessions
• Explain policies and programs to staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Monitor compliance of program staff and volunteers.
• In collaboration with the Environmental Educator 3 in Albany,
o supervise, develop, and conduct environmental education and interpretive programs, including ongoing programs and special events.
o Develop and administer public information programs about environmental education and interpretive programs.
• Prepare and submit annual reports.
• Assist with presentations and meetings with faculty and staff.
• Assist with internship supervision and mentorship.
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 three years of experience teaching about or interpreting the natural world, including one year of experience in the administration and management of an environmental education or interpretive program.
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 the 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.
Employees appointed via the NYHELPS programs are restricted for promotional appointment until their position is covered-in to the competitive class by the New York State Civil Service Commission (CSC), or they otherwise obtain permanent competitive status. The CSC has recently covered-in employees who were appointed via NY HELPS on a permanent or contingent permanent basis between June 26, 2024 and June 11, 2025. Notification to employees regarding a change in their status is forthcoming. You may wish to apply if you received a permanent NY HELPS appointment to a qualifying title within these timeframes and are interested in this opportunity. Your eligibility for promotion will be reviewed by Human Resources. Employees with a permanent NY HELPS appointment occurring effective 6/12/25 or later will be addressed with a subsequent cover-in.
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 3, SG-23.
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 3, SG-23.
NON-COMPETITIVE PROMOTION (NCP) QUALIFICATIONS:
As required by the New York State Department of Civil Service, we are posting for this position to determine if there are any qualified OPRHP employees interested in a permanent appointment to the position. If there are three or fewer qualified candidates interested in the position who meet the promotion minimum qualifications, a permanent appointment can be made pursuant to Section 52.7 of the Civil Service Law. The promotion minimum qualifications are: one year of permanent competitive service as an Environmental Educator 2, SG-18.
PROVISIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Based on the results of the required recruitment/canvassing for the Environmental Educator 3 position, OPRHP may make a provisional appointment to this position. If a provisional appointment is made, the appointed candidate will be required to compete in the next holding of the Environmental Educator 2 exam and be reachable for appointment from the newly established eligible list.
The minimum qualifications for provisional appointment are:
1: You must be a qualified employee of New York State and have one (1) year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as a Environmental Educator 2, SG-18.
OR
2: You must be a qualified employee of New York State and have two (2) years of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as a Environmental Educator 1, SG-14.
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 employment@parks.ny.gov
Address
625 Broadway
Notes on ApplyingJoin our team! Come see why it's great to work for New York State Parks! https://parks.ny.gov/employment
If you feel you meet the minimum qualifications, and are interested in being considered for this vacancy, you can obtain an Employment Application from your local office, your region’s administrative headquarters, or download an application from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website at Employment Regions - NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Please forward your application and resume, if available, to: Attn: Annette Sattinger Personnel Office, 625 Broadway. Albany, NY 12238 or to employment@parks.ny.gov and include “Environmental Educator 3, item 00809 Vacancy id 191764” in the subject line.
It is the responsibility of each applicant to accurately describe their experience and demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications and agency operating needs.