Parks and Recreation Aide 7 - Water Quality Program Specialist
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Albany, New York
United States
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Posted:
Mar 19, 2025
- Salary: From $24.13 to $24.13 Hourly USD Hourly
- Salary Top:24.1324
- Full Time
- Parks and Recreation
- Project Management
- Water and Wastewater Treatment
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Job Description
Duties Description
The Water Quality Program Specialist will assist the Water Quality Unit with achieving unit goals and will collaborate closely with unit staff. The applicant must be able to work as a member of a small team and be comfortable working in the office, the field, and from home. The applicant must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be meticulous in the collection and handling of data. The Water Quality Program Specialist will help coordinate the Agency’s water quality program to manage and maintain the water quality, safety, and recreational uses of state park waterbodies. The work will focus on monitoring, protection, and stewardship of the waterbodies in New York State Parks including lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, wetlands, marine and estuarine environments. The duties will largely involve assisting with the beach monitoring program as well as supporting the Agency’s Harmful Algal Bloom protocol.
Duties include but are not limited to:
• Analyze State Park waterbody data and assist in determining priority actions and projects to restore or improve aquatic ecosystem integrity
• Submitting samples to appropriate laboratories for testing; completing appropriate tests, recording all measurements in the field, and entering and filing data
• Assist with recording daily park beach water quality data, reporting beach closures internally and on a public-facing website
• Assist with reporting and tracking of HAB events, creating and sharing resources, and making decisions based on reported conditions
• Pick-up and drop-off park beach and HABs samples to labs, trips to the warehouse for equipment
• Planning, scheduling, and leading field work including equipment loading, mapping, sampling, and coordination with regional staff and/or partners
• Assist with planning /coordinating statewide trainings for staff (beaches / HABs)
• Assist in coordinating with parks and regions on water quality issues, sample submissions, beach closures, etc
• Assist in creating guidance documents, PowerPoint presentations, unit flyers, and more resources as needed
• Coordinating with partners for data gathering and analysis, data handling and fulfilling data requests
• Making recommendations and providing reports to address water quality issues at State Park waterbodies
• Assist Water Quality Unit staff with other program tasks as needed
Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
No minimum qualifications per Civil Service.
Additional Comments
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.
* Must be at least 18 years old
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• A bachelors or masters degree in biology, ecology, natural resources or a related field with 1-2 years of experience. At least one year of experience conducting ecological field surveys, including vegetation and wildlife surveys
• Ability to commit to summer fieldwork schedule which could involve overnight travel and weekend work
• Ability to swim and comfort on water in small boats
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Microsoft Access and database management and Power Point
• Good communication and writing skills
• Previous aquatic ecosystem or water quality-related coursework, fieldwork, or professional experience
• Plant identification or botany skills; previous wetland experience
• Previous environmental education experience
• Previous grant writing or management experience
• A working knowledge of including ArcGIS/Arc Pro
BENEFITS:
There are various benefits that a seasonal employee may be eligible for based on their negotiating unit and time and attendance requirements:
• Vacation, Holiday, Sick, And Personal Leave
• Health Care Coverage
• Tuition Assistance Programs
• NYS Retirement System Membership
To learn more about our benefits, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/employment/benefits.aspx
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Closing Date/Time: 05/22/25 -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Show moreThe mission of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic and cultural resources.
From the shores of Long Island to the mighty Niagara Falls, New York's 180 state parks offer countless opportunities to explore your natural environment, escape from the grind of the everyday and experience exciting new adventures. Beaches, boat launches, hiking trails, campsites, and golf courses all await you!
New York's state parks... With all there is to see and do, how will you spend your time?
NEW YORK STATE IS KNOCKING IT OUT OF THE PARKS!
Come work with us, and...
- Be a part of the premier park system in the United States - with more than 250 state parks, historic sites, golf courses, swimming pools, beaches, campgrounds, marinas, trails, and museums and nature centers.
- Work in some of the most beautiful, scenic, and historic places New York State has to offer.
- Make a tangible impact on your community. Parks are for everyone, and all are welcome here: People of every age, ability, color, or creed belong here – without exceptions – yourself included! People of every kind come visit us in order to have experiences – and at OPRHP, we get to be part of these special times in truly meaningful ways. See how you can make a difference as a part of Team OPRHP!
State parks and historic sites are staffed by a core of permanent employees who work year-round to maintain these precious resources. During the peak of our operating season (May through September) the permanent staff is supplemented by several thousand seasonal employees who work to ensure that our patrons have a positive and safe experience when visiting our sites.
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