Full-Time Environmental Educator 1
Job Description
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 55b/c, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for the position.
The qualifications are:
Four years of experience in environmental conservation in a professional or technical capacity or professional teaching of environmental education AND one year of experience teaching about or interpreting the natural world.
SUBSTITUTION: An associate degree in a related field can substitute for two years of specialized experience; a bachelor’s degree in a related field can substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree in a related field can substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate in a related field can substitute for six years of experience.
If verifiable, we will accept and prorate appropriate part-time and volunteer experience.
Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.
Additional Comments:
* For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required by all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment status will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.
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.
Duties Description:
Under the direction of Environmental Educator 2, Environmental Educator 1 will support educational programs & events at John Boyd Thacher State Park and Thompsons Lake Campground. The incumbent will primarily focus on developing environmental programming & events including planning public programs and events, coordinating and teaching field trips, and pop up programs.
The Environmental Educator 1 is responsible for:
• Developing, conducting, publicizing, and evaluating environmental education programming.
o Preparing lesson plans for a wide range of ages and groups and developing teaching aids.
o Coordinating field trips with school teachers, principals and other group leaders.
o Evaluating the effectiveness of programs and revising and modifying courses in response to program needs, changes, deficiencies, and needs of particular groups.
o Working with representatives from schools, colleges, organizations, and the public to promote and coordinate the facilities and programs.
o Planning and conducting workshops for teachers and staff about environmental education programs and concepts.
• Creating monthly environmental education public programs and annual events.
o Facilitating early childhood education (ages 2-5) programs.
o Planning and leading large-scale events such as Hawk Watch, and the Winter Bazaar.
o Developing and leading volunteer programs.
o Connecting underserved communities with the Nature Center, and advance agency diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Thacher and Thompsons Lake State Parks.
o Creating new public programs geared towards a wide range of audiences and contracting for equipment, performers, and presenters for public programs as needed.
• Developing, preparing, and revising exhibits, newsletters, and other materials
o Conducting research & developing themes and exhibits.
o Preparing and writing informational materials and illustrations for publication.
o Maintaining and modifying exhibits, publications, audiovisual programs, and other material.
o Acquiring, cataloging, and maintaining specimens and other teaching materials for programs.
o Working with the stewardship team researching and surveying natural and environmental history and community science data collection and monitoring.
• Performing a variety of administrative activities to support programs or park operations
o Recruiting, training, and supervising seasonal educators and SCA members as needed.
o Assisting with community and volunteer engagement and outreach including trail user groups, Friends of Thacher State Park, the local community, and other groups that affiliate with the park.
o Recruiting and leading volunteer events focused on stewardship and park clean-ups.
o Promoting events by creating and distributing flyers, newsletters, social media, and emails; working within a budget; purchasing and organizing materials and maintaining accurate inventory; assisting in the upkeep of the Nature Center.
• Participating in region-wide environmental education and stewardship initiatives, and working closely with volunteers, the community, and vendors to assure the Agency’s mission is always met.
Additional Comments:
OPERATING 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.
• Daytime, weekend, holiday, and evening work is required.
• Must have ability to work with groups of all ages; special focus or experience in early childhood education preferred.
• Must have ability and willingness to handle and care for live animals.
• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Candidates may be required to report to other facilities throughout the region on an as needed basis.
BENEFITS:
Generous benefits package, worth approximately 65% of salary, including:
• Paid Time Off:
o PEF and CSEA: 44 days – 13 Vacation days, 13 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays.
o M/C: 39 days – 13 Vacation days, 8 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays.
o PEF: Three (3) days of professional leave annually to participate in professional development
o M/C: Eligible for unlimited days of professional leave annually to participate in professional development, but at supervisor’s discretion.
• Health Care Benefits:
o Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs
o Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• Additional Benefits:
o New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Membership
o NYS Deferred Compensation
o Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds
o Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
o Paid Parental / Family Leave
To learn more about our benefits, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/employment/benefits.aspx
How to Apply
O APPLY: If you feel you meet the minimum qualifications and 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 you can download an application from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation by visiting the website https://parks.ny.gov/documents/employment/FillableUpdatedParksEmployeeApplicationS1000Part1Saratoga.pdf Please forward your application and resume, if available, to NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, 19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, or email your application and resume, if available, to Rebecca.Schneider2@parks.ny.gov 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. POSTING DATE: May 2, 2024 APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL: May 16, 2024 Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide their current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@oer.ny.gov An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Agency88 total views, 0 today