Environmental Educator 1 (NY HELPS)

Minimum 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 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.
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 the supervising Park Manager & Environmental Educator 2, the Environmental Educator 1 will oversee educational programs and events at Eastern Lakes Ontario Parks, including Westcott Beach State Park, Southwick Beach State Park, Long Point State Park, Black River Trail, Stony Creek, Chaumont Boat Launch and Horse Island (boat access only). A key responsibility will be to oversee the Nature Center at Southwick Beach State Park. The incumbent will primarily focus on developing environmental programming and events including planning public programs; coordinating, teaching, and recruiting for field trips for school groups; pop up programs and staff supervision.

Duties include:
• Developing teaching aids and exhibits, conducts courses, evaluates the effectiveness of programs, and revises and modifies courses in response to group needs, program needs, changes, and deficiencies.
• Developing, preparing, and revising non-teaching environmental education programs, materials, audiovisual programs, and exhibits by conducting research, developing themes and exhibits, preparing, and writing informational materials and illustrations for publication, and maintaining and modifying exhibits, publications, audiovisual programs, and other material.
• Planning and conducting workshops for teachers and staff about environmental education programs and concepts.
• Providing, planing, and scheduling age-appropriate field trips with teachers from different school districts or home-schooled groups for environmental programming for students.
• Acquiring, cataloging, and maintaining specimens and other teaching materials for programs.
• Planning and conducting special events and courses in support of environmental programs; includes recruiting volunteers; planning, organizing, and publicizing events; contracting for equipment, performers, and presenters; and purchasing and preparing materials.
• Supervising the training of program and operational staff, as well as volunteers.
• Developing the work schedule for seasonal educators.
• Providing program data reports that include program attendance, participant feedback, and issues to supervising Park Manager and Environmental Educator 2.
• Promoting events by creating and distributing flyers, newsletters, social media, and emails.
• Creating and working within a budget.
• Assisting supervising Park Manager with developing safety plans for Nature Center events.
• Performing a variety of administrative activities to support programs or park operations.
• Participating in additional region-wide environmental education and stewardship initiatives, and works closely with volunteers, the community, and vendors to assure the Agency’s mission is always met.

Additional Comments

OPERATING NEEDS:
• Daytime, weekend, holiday, and evening work is required.
• Ability to follow all purchasing guidelines.
• Must have the ability to work with groups of all ages; special focus or experience in early childhood education preferred.
• Must have the ability and willingness to handle and care for live animals.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s dicense that allows the candidate to legally operate a motor vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment.
• Candidates may be required to report to other facilities throughout the region or complex on an as needed basis.
• Must have the ability and willingness to operate small watercraft and willingness to obtain proper certification.
• CPR/AED certified or obtain within probationary period.
• Proficiency with Microsoft word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and ability to create program flyers or other publications.

BENEFITS:
Generous benefits package, worth approximately 65% of salary, including:
Paid Time Off

• PEF and CSEA: 44 days - 13 Vacation days, 13 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays
• M/C: 39 days - 13 Vacation days, 8 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 / Family 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.

Closing Date/Time: 05/09/24

52,198

Henderson, New York United States View Map