DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historical Preservation is seeking a Natural Resource Technician to work in the Palisades Region, with parks in Rockland, Orange, and Ulster counties. The technicians will work closely with the Regional Natural Resource Specialist and Environmental Stewardship Biologist to meet regional and statewide stewardship goals. The work will focus largely on supporting projects that involve the protection of rare, threatened and endangered species and natural communities on park lands and historic sites throughout the region. Some projects will be invasive management to benefit park operations. At times, this position will require work on uneven and steep terrain and in inclement weather.
The team members’ primary responsibilities will be to monitor long-term avian and vegetation response plots in wetlands that have been under over 10 years of active management, compile wildlife and flora data into excel, interpret said data into summary reports, and maintain organized records of field information. The technician will assist natural resources staff with nuisance wildlife management and several ongoing wildlife projects including MOTUS tower construction and bear box installation. Secondary duties will include invasive species management within and outside wetland habitat using herbicide application methods to control terrestrial and wetland non-desirables.
Local candidates are preferred as housing is not included. Office location will be based out of Sterling Forest State Park.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
No Minimum Qualifications Per Civil Service
Preferred (not required) Skills:
- One year or more experience with invasive species identification and control methods.
- Experience creating and editing maps and shapefiles using ArcGIS Desktop or ArcGIS Online.
- Experience collecting data using Survey123 and ArcCollector or ArcGIS Field Maps.
- Experience using and maintaining hand tools and outdoor power equipment.
- Backcountry orienteering and Leave No Trace experience.
- First Aid/CPR certification.
- Bird identification skills or certification
- Logging experience
If verifiable, we will accept and prorate part-time and volunteer experience.
DUTIES DESCRIPTION
- Support regional stewardship staff in planning projects to meet regional goals.
- Survey, manage, and monitor invasive species (aquatic and terrestrial plants, forest pests/pathogens).
- Collect and manage field data using standardized methods (Survey123, ArcGIS Field Maps, GPS, GIS).
- Conduct avian surveys in both wetland and upland settings.
- Assist with nuisance wildlife response.
- Conduct management activities to support large scale habitat restoration projects regionally.
- Maintain up-to-date project information and reports in statewide databases (DESP, AGOL, iMap).
- Respond promptly to statewide Early Detection/Rapid Response needs.
- Assist with invasive species management project planning efforts.
- Conduct trainings for regional staff (Best Management Practices, iMap Invasives, etc.).
- Provide guidance and support to field staff and volunteers (ECC, SCA, partners, etc.).
- Perform native plantings/other site restoration and monitoring duties.
- Organize and participate in education and outreach events.
OPERATING NEEDS
- A degree or experience in forestry, environmental studies, ecology, natural resources management, or a relevant discipline, such as aquatic ecology, conservation biology, etc.
- Excellent organizational skills in a field setting.
- A working knowledge of GPS/GIS and ecological monitoring methods.
- Ability to maintain a positive attitude while performing light to heavy physical labor in a variety of field conditions and demonstrating safe working practices.
- Strong interest in and commitment to environmental stewardship and team-oriented approach to solving environmental challenges.
- Ability to communicate in writing and to read and comprehend written material.
- Must be able to communicate effectively with other staff and park patrons and professionally represent the agency.
- The candidate must be available to work a variable schedule, including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.
- Must possess a valid US Driver’s License as a term and condition of employment.
Location: 3006 Seven Lakes Drive, Bear Mountain, NY 10911
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.85 per hour
Work Location: In person