Park Recreation Activities Specialist - Sunken Meadow; NY HELPS

Duties

Under the direction of the Environmental Educator 1 at the Sunken Meadow Nature Center, the Park Recreation Activities Specialist:

• Will develop environmental programming & public events for school groups and public audiences. In addition, they will provide impromptu pop-up programs at park facilities and supervise seasonal staff.
• Prepare lesson plans/activities for a wide range of ages and groups and develop teaching aids.
• Coordinate/schedule with school and camp staff for visits and/or field trips to the parks.
• All administrative aspects of the program, including hiring paperwork, reporting hours for payroll, and purchasing supplies.
• Development of social media postings to highlight various activities/events and augment in-person education.
• In coordination with environmental education and facility management, develop and design interpretative signage for the Sunken Meadow nature center and park at large.
• Work with representatives from schools, colleges, organizations, and the public to promote environmental education at park facilities.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and revise and modify content in response to program needs, changes, deficiencies, and needs of particular groups.
• Upkeep of grounds and facilities in coordination with the maintenance staff, as related to educational programs (e.g., pollinator gardens, tree plantings).
• Assist in the planning and implementation of piping plover related programs.
• Other related duties as required.

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:
Two years of experience in an organized recreation program, six months of which must have been supervisory.

Current NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Employees only, with at least one year of permanent or contingent‑permanent qualifying service as a Park Recreation Activities Specialist.

• Candidates must possess and maintain a valid NYS driver’s license as a term and condition of employment.
• Daytime, weekend, holiday, and evening work is required.
• This role will also require coordinating and supporting environmental educational programs at other parks in the Long Island region.
• Must have an ability and willingness to handle and care for live animals.

Appointees who work in Suffolk County will receive an additional $4,000 annual downstate adjustment.

Generous benefits package, worth approximately 65% of salary, including:

• CSEA: 44 days - 13 Vacation days, 13 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays.

• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost

• 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

Learn more about our benefits for permanent state employees, visit: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..