Park & Recreation Specialist 1 - Regional Trails Coordinator - Long Island

Duties Description The Park & Recreation Specialist 1 position will assist the Long Island Region of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) in managing its extensive trail network. The position will have a wide range of responsibilities aimed at enhancing regional trail resources and making them more accessible and inclusive. The duties of this position will include but are not limited to the following:

• Assists in inventorying, assessing, and analyzing regional trail network conditions, needs, uses, and more. Preparing and delivering reports related to these analyses.
• Assists in developing and implementing trail projects including those identified in Park Master Plans and Trails Plans.
• Assists agency staff in the environmental review process for trails-related projects.
• Serves as point of contact for partners implementing trail projects across the region.
• Works closely with the Statewide Trails Planner on agency priorities.
• Assists in requesting funding for trail projects through the NY State Parks funding process and via other governmental and private sources.
• Assists in implementing trail projects funded through outside sources.
• Assists in managing and overseeing contractor-led trail projects.
• Collaborates and coordinates with a wide range of stakeholders and partners, organizations, groups, and volunteers on a variety of initiatives including, but not limited to, NY State Parks Managers and staff in the Region and in Albany, the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference, Concerned Long Island Mountain Bicyclists, the Open Space Institute, the Trust for Public Land, Parks & Trails New York, multiple Parks’ friends groups and foundations.
• Other duties as appropriate for this title and position.

Additional Comments You may be assigned to work in one of the following locations:

Bethpage State Park
99 Quaker Meeting House Road
Farmingdale, NY 11735

Connetquot River State Park Preserve
4090 Sunrise Highway
Oakdale, NY 11769

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. If not licensed at the time of appointment, the appointee must obtain a driver’s license without restrictions or conditions within the term of employment.
• A bachelor’s degree in any field and prior experience with advocacy, planning, development, design, or construction of natural surface recreational trails are required.
• Four years of trail design, maintenance and installation can substitute for the bachelor’s degree if the candidate can demonstrate capacity and experience in the related work.
• Strong organizational, project management, budgeting, writing, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs.
• Must be able to work independently and collaboratively on multiple projects with a variety of partners, be able to work in rough terrain in a wide range of weather conditions
• Working knowledge of sustainable trail building techniques.
• Experience working on paid or volunteer trail crews.
• Experience with GPS and GIS.
• Leadership, volunteer coordination, or project management experience.
• Understanding of the NYS environmental review process (SEQR) and natural resource management.

Benefits:

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

To learn more about our benefits, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/employment/benefits.aspx

This position may require a background check and/or medical exam prior to appointment.