Duties Description Under the direction of the Environmental Educator 1, 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. This role will also require supporting environmental education programs at other parks in the region and park wide/region wide recreation events.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Conduct educational programs by preparing and teaching lessons. Plan, prepare and build displays, exhibits and other teaching aids. Assist in research, writing and producing educational and promotional materials.
• Providing educational programs for a wide range of ages and groups. Create content for education and outreach using social media platforms and audio-visual equipment. Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and revise and modify content in response to program needs, changes, deficiencies, and needs of particular groups.
• Make partnerships and engage local community, schools, and special interest groups.
• Assist in the planning, organization of quarterly program schedule for public, coordinate and schedule public and private education program schedules.
• Care and maintenance of exhibit animals: ensure all housing is kept clean and that the requirements necessary for the health of the animals are met. Handling of animals will be required including small reptiles and aquarium maintenance.
• Assist higher level Environmental Education/Interpretation and Recreation staff by
preparing reports, conducting training, supervising seasonal staff and interns as
assigned, train staff/volunteers in the care of exhibits, equipment, and animals; and performing other support activities.
• Basic maintenance of buildings & grounds including, but not limited to litter control, grounds upkeep and landscaping, snow and ice control, restroom facilities
(supplies/cleanliness), and other tasks and/or activities as described; maintain
pollinator garden, composting, and other gardens
• Assist with inspections of buildings and grounds for safety hazards, correct problems where possible and make requests for appropriate skilled trades assistance when needed
• Interact with and help Resiliency Center patrons, answer phone calls; assist in display upkeep and assist with revenue; prepare reports as required.
• Other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS or 55-b/c 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 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.
Reassignment Qualifications:
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.
*NY HELPS PROGRAM:
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a permanent 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 (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.