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

New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid time off

Job summary

New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation is seeking a Park & Recreation Specialist 1 to support the Long Island Region in managing extensive trail networks. Responsibilities include inventorying trails, developing projects, assisting in environmental reviews, and coordinating with partners across multiple organizations.

The role emphasizes collaboration, funding efforts, contractor oversight, and adherence to SEQR with strong organizational and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Open Competitive: 1 year of experience in maintenance, construction, landscaping, park operations, or organized recreation program.

Responsibilities

• Inventory, assess, and analyze regional trail conditions; prepare and deliver reports.
• Develop and implement trail projects per Master Plans and Trails Plans.
• Assist in environmental reviews for trails projects.
• Serve as point of contact for partners implementing trail projects.
• Coordinate with the Statewide Trails Planner on agency priorities.
• Assist in obtaining funding for trail projects from NYS Parks and other sources.
• Oversee contractor-led trail projects.
• Collaborate with diverse stakeholders and volunteers.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Writing

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in any field

Tools

GPS

GIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

Qualifications

Open Competitive: one year of experience in maintenance, construction, landscaping, business operations, park operations, or in an organized recreation program.

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.