Public Participation Specialist - NY HELPS

Duties Description

At the direction of the Assistant Public Information Officer and in coordination with Region 2 programs, the Public Participation Specialist 2 (PPS2) will manage targeted public outreach projects and support communications with the public. These tasks will include developing and delivering professional presentations to technical and/or lay audiences; facilitating and leading public and/or stakeholder group meetings; and development and implementation of public involvement programs or activities.

In order to perform these tasks effectively the PPS2 is expected to engage with DEC region 2 programs to stay abreast of issues of public interest; establish and maintain a network of local individuals, groups, elected officials and other relevant stakeholders; and develop a communication and consultation strategy for engaging stakeholders.

At the direction of the Assistant Public Information Officer and in coordination with Region 2 programs, the Public Participation Specialist 2 (PPS2) will manage targeted public outreach projects and support communications with the public. These tasks will include developing and delivering professional presentations to technical and/or lay audiences; facilitating and leading public and/or stakeholder group meetings; and development and implementation of public involvement programs or activities.

In order to perform these tasks effectively the PPS2 is expected to engage with DEC region 2 programs to stay abreast of issues of public interest; establish and maintain a network of local individuals, groups, elected officials and other relevant stakeholders; and develop a communication and consultation strategy for engaging stakeholders.

• Proactively engage with, and respond to, internal and external stakeholders, other government agencies or offices, community organizations, and members of the public.
• Organize, publicize, attend and help facilitate public meetings, hearings, conferences, and community events, with an ability to participate in such events scheduled on designated weekends and/or evenings as necessary, both virtually and in-person.
• Develop both traditional and digital public information materials, including fact sheets, presentations, and digital content for both the agency’s web pages and social media platforms.
• Proofread and edit content submitted by others to ensure consistency and adherence to the agency’s style guides.
• Promote DEC initiatives and messages and coordinate agency participation at large-scale outreach events such as trade-shows, career fairs and Earth week events.
• Work with DEC programs in production and development of information materials, rollout plans, and website content.
• Help manage and coordinate the work of the Bureau of Public Outreach, in consultation with the Bureau Chief, Assistant Public Information Officer and Division of Communication Education and Engagement staff as needed and
• Supervise Public Participation Specialist 1(s).

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.

To be eligible for appointment under NY HELPS, candidates must meet the non-competitive minimum qualifications below:

Seven years of experience in the areas of natural resources management, environmental planning, urban planning, environmental regulation development, environmental interpretation, public policy analysis,…