Minimum Qualifications
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a 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 this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.
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.
TRAINEE 1: A bachelor’s in accounting, agricultural engineering, agricultural science, agronomy, animal science, atmospheric science, aquatic science, bacteriology, biochemistry, bioengineering, biology, botany, business administration, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, civil engineering technology, climate change, coastal resources management, communications, computer engineering, computer science, construction engineering, conservation biology, cultural resources and historic preservation studies, data analysis, earth sciences, ecology, economics, ecosystem management, engineering technology, environmental biology, environmental education, environmental education and interpretation, environmental engineering, environmental health, environmental planning, environmental policy, environmental science, environmental studies, environmental toxicology, fisheries and wildlife sciences, forest engineering, forest resource management, forest science, forestry, genetics, geochemistry, geographic information systems, geography, geological engineering, geology, hydrology, industrial design, industrial engineering, landscape architecture, marine science, mathematics, manufacturing engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, mechanical engineering, meteorology, microbiology, molecular biology, natural resources, natural resources conservation, natural resources management, natural resources planning, natural science, packaging science, physical science, physics, product design, public administration, public policy studies, sustainability, toxicology, urban forestry, urban planning, urban studies, water resource engineering, water resources management, wildlife management, wildlife science, or zoology.
TRAINEE 2: A bachelors as noted above and one year of professional qualifying experience.
EPS 1: A bachelor’s as noted above and two years of qualifying experience.
Qualifying Experience: a position where you have responsibility for the following: development and implementation of program policies and procedures; preparing and interpreting rules and regulations; development, preparation, and management of procurement (solicitation) documents, contracts, and/or grants; providing non-engineering technical assistance and information to consultants, public officials, and facility managers; collecting data, reviewing alternatives, performing qualitative or quantitative policy analyses; writing technical or programmatic reports; developing, implementing, analyzing, and evaluating programs; developing and implementing expenditure plans, procuring external funding sources, collecting and forecasting the impact of funding and/or organizational change efforts; assisting with the development of environmental public information campaigns.
NOTE: a Juris Doctor, Master’s, or higher degree in a related field can substitute for one year of professional experience.
Candidates may also be eligible via the following:
Reassignment – Currently in the title and an employee of DEC or Reinstatement Eligible – Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis or held a title as indicated under the transfer eligible section on a permanent competitive basis.
Or
Transfer Eligible – One year of permanent competitive service at Salary Grade 11 or higher and either: Eligible for transfer under Section 70.4: Must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below;
Or
Eligible for transfer under Section 70.1: Permanent competitive service as an Environmental Program Specialist 1 (including trainees), Program Aide, Administrative Specialist 1, Biologist1(Aquatic), (Ecology), (Marine), (Wildlife), Public Participation Specialist 1, Environmental Analyst 1 and Trainee 1 &2, Environmental Engineering Technician 2 & 3, Fish and Wildlife Technician 3, Legal Assistant 2, Mineral Resources Technician2,Pesticide Control Specialist 1 & 2, Public Health Specialist 2 Environmental, Sanitary Construction Inspector 2, Senior Engineering Research Editor.
Duties Description
Eight Environmental Program Specialist 1/Trainee 1 & 2 positions are available within each of the five different Bureaus of the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Water at Central Office in Albany, NY including:
• Bureau of Flood Protection and Dam Safety (1 position)
• Bureau of Water Permits (1 position)
• Bureau of Water Compliance (2 positions)
• Bureau of Water Assessment and Management (2 positions)
• Bureau of Water Resource Management (2 position)
The DEC’s Division of Water (DOW) is a nation leading and highly respected government agency responsible for ensuring the protection and conservation of NY’s water resources. As a dynamic team, responding to critical water resource issues facing New York State, DOW protects the health of the State’s waters through water quality monitoring and assessment; establishing water quality standards and regulations; awarding and managing grants to municipalities to improve water quality infrastructure; developing and regulating water quality permits and clean water plans to regulate pollutant discharges; and reducing impacts from flooding and coastal erosion as a result of our changing
climate.
The Environmental Program Specialist 1/Trainee 1 & 2 incumbents in DOW are important members of Division of Water’s growing water resource focused program areas. They perform a variety of tasks including carrying out small projects, serving as a member of a project team to complete segments of larger more complex projects, as assistants to higher level professional staff, or reviewing regulated activities; and make determinations or recommendations based on their own inspections,
investigations, and analyses.
Incumbents will apply their knowledge of environmental science to identify and develop solutions to environmental and water resource issues within DOW’s program areas. As specialists in a particular water resource program area or subject matter, incumbents will complete technical project elements,
provide technical project review and advice, consultation and guidance on programs and issues to program staff, agency officials, consultants and members of the regulated community, special interest groups and the general public.
Additional Comments
Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position. Travel may be required. Overtime may be required. Overnight travel may be required Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview.
We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:
• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more…
For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.
DEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.