Parks and Recreation Aide - Trails Specialist

The Trails Specialist is a full-time, year-round, long term seasonal position that will assist with trail project planning and implementation at Mine Kill State Park. The intent of this position is to help NYS Parks to fulfill goals for trail construction and maintenance as previously identified in strategic planning documents. This will be a multi-year endeavor, with year one primarily focused on design and planning.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coordination with the Saratoga-Capital District Regional Trails Manager and the Mine Kill State Park Manager on the development of new trails and trails maintenance projects at Mine Kill State Park.
• Trail project planning including review of strategic plans, field surveys, and information gathering for SEQR reviews.
• Servicing and inventorying trail operation tools, gear and equipment.
• Procurement of tools, equipment and materials necessary for trail projects.
• Assisting with the development of position descriptions and hiring for a trail crew to implement trail projects.
• Creating emergency response plans and job hazard assessments for project sites and for planned trail work activities.
• Performing trail building and maintenance activities including but not limited to technical rock work, signage installation, tread and drainage improvements, and carpentry.
• Performing public outreach centered around trails and land stewardship; answer questions from the public.
• Assist in all phases of park operations, assisting park visitors, safety and security, and park events as necessary.

The Trails Specialist is a full-time, year-round, long term seasonal position that will assist with trail project planning and implementation at Mine Kill State Park. The intent of this position is to help NYS Parks to fulfill goals for trail construction and maintenance as previously identified in strategic planning documents. This will be a multi-year endeavor, with year one primarily focused on design and planning.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coordination with the Saratoga-Capital District Regional Trails Manager and the Mine Kill State Park Manager on the development of new trails and trails maintenance projects at Mine Kill State Park.
• Trail project planning including review of strategic plans, field surveys, and information gathering for SEQR reviews.
• Servicing and inventorying trail operation tools, gear and equipment.
• Procurement of tools, equipment and materials necessary for trail projects.
• Assisting with the development of position descriptions and hiring for a trail crew to implement trail projects.
• Creating emergency response plans and job hazard assessments for project sites and for planned trail work activities.
• Performing trail building and maintenance activities including but not limited to technical rock work, signage installation, tread and drainage improvements, and carpentry.
• Performing public outreach centered around trails and land stewardship; answer questions from the public.
• Assist in all phases of park operations, assisting park visitors, safety and security, and park events as necessary.

There are no minimum qualifications for this title per Civil Service.

See additional comments for 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.
• Ability to work with MS Excel, Power Point, and Word. ArcGIS experience is a plus.
• Ability to work outdoors year round.
• Ability to perform medium physical labor.
• Effective communication skills.
• Must be willing to keep current on all mandated safety trainings, including First Aid and CPR/AED.

• At least one year of experience performing trail work that includes new sustainable trail construction, trail tread and drainage improvements, trail corridor maintenance, and signage installation
• At least one year of experience using hand tools, power tools, and performing/troubleshooting basic tool maintenance
• Experience with leadership, communication, project management and problem-solving
• Experience with field maps data collection and trail map orientating
• A degree in Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Forestry Management, Environmental Sustainability, Environmental Engineering, Recreation Management, or similar field

This position has the option to join the NYS Employee’s…