Environmental Program Specialist 1 / Trainee 1 / 2 - NY HELPS

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; Stony Brook (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telecommuting up to 50%

65% salary in benefits package

Holiday and Paid Time Off

Pension benefits

Flexible fieldwork opportunities

Job summary

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking an Environmental Program Specialist 1 (EPS 1) located in Region 1, Division of Water. The EPS 1 will assist with SPDES, Long Island Well, Water Withdrawal, Water Well Driller, storm water, coastal, and floodplain management programs, including data collection, analysis, reporting, inspections, compliance, and enforcement.

Under supervision, the EPS 1 tracks permit compliance, analyzes data submissions, and may initiate

Qualifications

• This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
• For the NY HELPS program, appointment may be non-competitive and may convert to competitive status within one year of permanent appointment.

Responsibilities

• Track permit compliance, review and analyze data submittals, and initiate enforcement actions as needed.
• Assist with the implementation of SPDES, Long Island Well, Water Withdrawal, Water Well Driller, storm water, coastal, and floodplain programs.
• Provide technical assistance to consultants, municipalities, and regulated community; field inquiries and complaints; conduct inspections of permitted facilities; prepare and present regulatory outreach materials.

Job description

Duties Description

This Environmental Program Specialist 1 (EPS 1), position is located at NYSDEC Region 1 in the Division of Water. The EPS 1 will assist with the implementation of the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES), Long Island Well, Water Withdrawal, Water Well Driller, storm water management, coastal management, and floodplain management programs. The EPS 1 will also assist with data collection, analysis and reporting, inspections, compliance, enforcement, and coordination with other programs, as well as general program management.

Description

This Environmental Program Specialist 1 (EPS 1), position is located at NYSDEC Region 1 in the Division of Water. The EPS 1 will assist with the implementation of the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES), Long Island Well, Water Withdrawal, Water Well Driller, storm water management, coastal management, and floodplain management programs. The EPS 1 will also assist with data collection, analysis and reporting, inspections, compliance, enforcement, and coordination with other programs, as well as general program management.

Under supervision of senior staff, the candidate will track permit compliance, review and analyze data submittals, and initiate enforcement actions as needed. The EPS 1 may assist by providing technical assistance and information to consultants, municipalities, the regulated community, and other Department staff regarding Department regulations and policies. The EPS 1 may field inquiries and complaints, taking appropriate corrective action; conduct inspections of permitted facilities; participate in meetings and respond to inquiries from the regulated community. They may provide presentations on regulatory matters during outreach events and otherwise advance Department interests. The EPS 1 will conduct field inspections as necessary to carry out the missions stated above.

All duties require representing the Department in a professional manner, keeping senior staff appraised of program accomplishments, emerging issues, and high-profile matters. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and articulately convey information verbally and in writing; organize and analyze data; identify important findings and provide sound recommendations. The EPS 1 must be able to write and edit reports; complete many varied computer tasks; and participate in many varied team tasks.

Qualifications

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 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

Four years or experience in 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, 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 or organizational change efforts; assisting with the development of environmental public information campaigns.

An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.

Trainee 2

Five years or experience in 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, 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 or organizational change efforts; assisting with the development of environmental public information campaigns.

An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.

Eps 1

Six years or experience in 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, 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 or organizational change efforts; assisting with the development of environmental public information campaigns.

An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of 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.

55 b/c appointment: Must meet the minimum qualifications outlined above. Please note that if qualifying under the 55 b/c program, candidates must include with their resume or application a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55 b/c program.

Additional Comments

• Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.
• Must be able to negotiate difficult terrain.
• Must be able to work in remote areas.
• Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions.
• Travel may be required.
• Must be able to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds.
• Telecommuting may be available up to 50% of work schedule, 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.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.

If you are a person with a disability and wish to request that a reasonable accommodation be provided for you to participate in a job interview, please email: [e-mail].

Please be advised, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation does not use E-Verify, and we are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT).