Public Participation Specialist - NY HELPS

The Public Participation Specialist 2 will support the public outreach activities of the Central Office Bureau of Public Outreach within the Division of Communication, Education, and Engagement. They will rely on their knowledge of environmental policies, regulations and Department procedures to respond to requests from program staff and the public. They must have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and be able to work under deadlines.

They schedule and facilitate public meetings, hearings and other outreach events, and supervise subordinate staff who assist with these tasks. They support the regional staff with responses to inquiries from the press, elected officials (including state and federal representatives), and the public. They provide guidance to program staff on all public participation-related matters.

• Lead DEC staff in the design and implementation of public participation programming for Department programs.
• Work with the public to ensure understanding of Department programs through responses to public phone calls and emails and at in-person or virtual events. Solicit, collect and summarize public input.
• Work with DEC programs, divisions and regions in developing and producing informational materials, press releases and website content to support Department initiatives.
• Work with program staff to develop and implement rollout plans for comprehensive outreach campaigns on agency initiatives.
• Coordinate and work with federal, county and local governments and other state agencies as needed to maximize the use of their public participation resources.
• Help manage and coordinate the work of the Bureau of Public Outreach, including consultation with the Bureau Chief and Division Director as required.
• Supervise Public Participation Specialist 1(s) and other subordinate staff.
• Prepare for and lead public meetings and other events by making site arrangements, preparing agendas, publicizing the event, and facilitating question and answer sessions with the public. Utilize video sharing platforms to host meetings, hearings, and other events.
• Promote DEC initiatives and messages and coordinate agency participation at outreach events such as sportsman shows, outdoor expos and the State Fair. Develop rollout plans for outreach events and activities.
• Coordinate with the press office as needed.
• Maintain knowledge of the most current and important public issues and programs of the Department, New York State, and DEC Regional offices.

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, 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.

Seven years of experience in the areas of natural resources management, environmental planning, urban planning, environmental regulation development, environmental interpretation, public policy analysis, public information, or public relations and outreach, which included developing and delivering professional presentations to technical or lay audiences or moderating, coordinating, facilitating, or leading public or stakeholder…