Employment Opportunity with New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation -  New York City Region

TITLE: Park & Recreational Aide 7 (Environmental Education Assistant)

JURIS CLASS: Non-Competitive

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Long-term Seasonal

SALARY:  $17.63 per hour

NEGOTIATING UNIT: CSEA

WORK LOCATION: Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve Nature Interpretive Center, 2351 Veterans Road West  Staten Island, NY 10309

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the Environmental Educator (EE) in setting up materials, teaching, and cleaning up after programs, workshops, and interpretive hikes. 
• Assist the EE with the development of program materials.  Materials must be prepared in a timely fashion before scheduled programs and must be stored in an organized fashion.
• Assist with maintenance of all EE gardens: the pollinator garden at the nature center, the planted boxes in the breezeway, and the educational plot at historic Gericke Farm.  Maintenance includes pulling and discarding weeds, watering plants, and harvesting ripe vegetables and fruits. 
• Assist with general Nature Interpretive Center upkeep including, but not limited to: cleaning floors, bathrooms, and glass; design and create new exhibits with the approval of the EE and Park Management; handle and care for live animals in the nature center (snake, turtle) and at the farm (chickens). 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications: At least one year of environmental education experience or related experience OR a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or related field preferred

Operational needs:  

• Applicants must have and maintain a valid U.S. driver’s license as a term and condition of employment
• Applicants must be willing to work outdoors year-round and in all weather conditions.
• Applicants must be available to work a varied schedule, including weekends and holidays.
• Applicants must be willing to handle and care for live animals.
• Applicants must be able to lift at least 30 pounds.
• Applicants must have excellent communication skills and be willing and able to speak publicly to audiences of all ages, from infants to adults.
• Applicants must possess strong organizational skills.