Park & Recreation Specialist 1 - Regional Trails Coordinator

Description

Duties Description

The Regional Trails Coordinator is a full-time, temporary position that will assist in the management of some of the most diverse and popular trails in the New York State Parks system. The position’s responsibilities will extend throughout the Palisades Region of New York State Parks, which includes 29 parks and historic sites across Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. Palisades has the greatest mileage of trails of any State Park Region in NY and greets some 5 million visitors annually.

This position’s responsibilities are wide-ranging, with the primary goal of implementing trail improvement projects that enhance regional trail resources. The successful candidate will coordinate and collaborate with a variety of stakeholders and partners including NY State Park staff both in the Region and in Albany, Palisades Interstate Park Commission staff, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, the Open Space Institute, and others. This position will supervise the Trail Crew Leader year-round and regional trail crew throughout the field season, typically May-August. There will also be administrative work including budgeting, invoicing, assisting in the coordination of environmental reviews. This position’s duties will require work on uneven and steep terrain, carrying and moving tools, materials, and equipment of up to 50 lbs. or more, and work in inclement weather.

Duties And Responsibilities

Under the overall direction of the Park Operations Manager 2, M-2, the selected candidate’s duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Coordinate with partner organizations, friends groups, and volunteers on a variety of initiatives.
• Serve as point of contact for partners implementing trail projects across the region.
• Develop and implement trail projects identified in Park Master Plans and Trails Plans.
• Oversee and assist the Trail Crew Leader with staffing, supervision, training, and management of regional trail crew for field season operations and trail projects.
• Inventory, assess, and analyze regional trail network conditions, needs, uses, and more, utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Prepare and deliver reports related to these analyses.
• Request funding for trail projects through NY State Parks funding process and via other governmental and private sources. Track payments and budgets and working closely with the Statewide Trails Planner on agency priorities.
• Submit and coordinate State Environmental Quality Review with support from Regional Environmental Analysts and Biologists.
• Implement trail projects funded through outside sources. Oversee and manage contractor-led trail projects including the Backcountry Trail Crew.
• Document progress of trail projects for quarterly and annual reports.
• Oversee and/or perform a variety of hands-on trail improvement projects, including trail sign installation and new trail construction.
• Keep an inventory and conduct routine maintenance of tools and equipment.
• Oversee and enforce applicable safety regulations and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Work effectively in a team setting and demonstrate flexibility in tasks and schedules.
• Adhere to the agency’s Code of Conduct Policy and ensure compliance with all guidelines, policies, and procedures in the performance of daily tasks.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

One year of experience in maintenance, construction, landscaping, business operations, park operations, or in an organized recreation program.

Operational Needs

Additional Comments

• 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.
• Experience managing and coordinating budgets, including timely payment of invoices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs.
• Experience with handheld GPS, data collection and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of experience supervising multiple people in a work environment.
• At least two years of experience conducting trail work, including sustainable trail construction, tread and drainage improvements, and trail corridor maintenance.
• At least one year of experience using and maintaining hand and power tools.
• Experience with leadership, communication, time management, project management, and problem solving.
• Working knowledge of sustainable trail building techniques.
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, forestry, outdoor recreation, wildlife, fisheries, biology, Geography/GIS, urban or regional planning, landscape architecture, or an equivalent discipline.
  
  

Benefits

This position has the option to join the NYS Employee’s Retirement System and is eligible for health insurance, dental and vision coverage. There is opportunity for paid time off in the form of vacation, sick, personal and holiday leave after time & service requirements has been met.