Position Information

NY HELPNo

AgencyParks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Office of

TitleParks and Recreation Aide 2 - Historic Site Interpreter - NWC & Knox

Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers

Salary GradeNS

Bargaining UnitOSU - Operational Services Unit (CSEA)

Salary RangeFrom $17.62 to $17.62 Hourly

Employment Type Part-Time

Appointment Type Temporary

Jurisdictional Class Labor Class

Travel Percentage 0%

Schedule

Workweek Other (see below)

"Other" Explanation End of June – September 6th 2026: 27.5 hours/week, between Wednesday and Sunday. Weekends as well as some holidays are required.

Hours Per Week 27.5

Workday

From 12 AM

To 11:30 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? No

Location

County Orange

Street Address New Windsor Cantonment & Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Sites

374 Temple Hill Road

City New Windsor

StateNY

Zip Code12553

Job Specifics

Duties Description The New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site is where the Continental Army under General George Washington spent the last winter and spring of the Revolutionary War. In October 1782, General Washington moved his northern army to New Windsor to establish winter quarters. Some 7,500 soldiers and 500 women and children civilian refugees encamped here. By late December 1782, they had erected nearly 600 log huts into a "cantonment," a military enclave. It was here that the cease fire orders were issued by Washington ending the eight-year War of Independence on April 19, 1783.

On several occasions during the Revolutionary War, Major General Henry Knox, Commander of the America artillery, established his military headquarters (Knox’s Headquarters) at John Ellison's 1754 Georgian-style house in Vails Gate. From October 1782 until the spring of 1783, as 7,000 soldiers and 500 "camp followers" were establishing winter quarters at the New Windsor Cantonment, and General Washington was lodged at Jonathan Hasbrouck's house in Newburgh, New York, Major General Horatio Gates occupied the elegant home from which he commanded the cantonment.

Under the supervision of the Interpretive Programs Assistant, SG-17, the selected candidate’s duties will include, but not be limited to:
• Conduct interpretive programs and demonstrations for the public, providing educational programs to schools and other organizations.
• Conduct third person interpretation while wearing reproduction 18th century clothing. This often includes various demonstrations of 18th century period tasks including musket firings, blacksmithing, medicine, cooking, and laundry.
• Assist staff with coordinating special events.
• Complete special projects; conduct research.
• Assist with historic house cleaning tasks at Knox’s Headquarters.
• Perform semi-skilled maintenance tasks under supervision
• Aid in the general operations of the historic sites.
• Demonstrate friendly and effective public presentation skills, an interest in local and regional history, and the ability to represent the Historic Site in a professional manner.
• Manage multiple tasks; work effectively with the public and the interpretive team.

Minimum Qualifications No minimum qualification 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.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION:
• A current college student or graduate with some coursework in history, museum studies, or related fields is preferred but not required.

BENEFITS:
This position has the option to join the NYS Employees’ 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 have been met.

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.

How to Apply

Name Chad Johnson

Telephone

Fax

Email Address chad.johnson@parks.ny.gov

Address

Street New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site

P. O. Box 207

City Vails Gate

State NY

Zip Code 12553

 

Notes on ApplyingComplete a NY State OPRHP Employment Application available in all park offices or online*. Submit electronically along with your resume and cover letter, including three work references, to Chad Johnson, Interpretive Programs Assistant, New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site, PO Box 207, Vails Gate NY 12553, or email to chad.johnson@parks.ny.gov. Interviews will be conducted during August.

*Parks Application Online:
https://parks.ny.gov/documents/employment/FillableUpdatedParksEmployeeApplicationS1000Part1Palisades.pdf

Please be advised that New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation does not use E-Verify and does not offer sponsorship for employment visas statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEP OPT). Candidates sponsored for employment by an organization should be aware of their sponsorship status and the relevant expiration date(s) of that sponsorship before applying to this position.

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.

Executive Order 31 commits New York State government to becoming a model employer for people with disabilities, increasing the participation of people with disabilities in state service, and ensuring equal access to opportunities. OPRHP encourages people with disabilities to apply. We provide reasonable and religious accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please send a request to the Equal Opportunity Unit at ReasonableAccommodation@parks.ny.gov or (518) 486-7754.