Employer: NY State Parks’ Division of Environmental Stewardship and Planning

Location: Albany, NY

Application deadline: December 15, 2025

Full position description and application instructions

Position Summary 

The Environmental Program Specialist Natural Resources 1 (EPS NR 1) will be based out of the Invasive Species Field Office in Wallkill, NY (part of Minnewaska State Park Preserve) or the Central Office in Albany, NY. This position reports to the Invasive Species Unit Head in the New York State Parks’ Division of Environmental Stewardship and Planning. The EPS NR 1 will work as part of a team to help guide forest health, pest & disease management related initiatives on NY State Parks & Historic Sites statewide. This position will require extensive communication and coordination with partners, contractors, and other State Park staff and will require travel, including day trips and some overnights, for field work and meetings with agency staff and partners.

Key Responsibilities

• • Act as a subject matter expert for forest health, pests & diseases for the agency.
  • Develop and implement OPRHP forest health statewide priorities and guidance.
  • Coordinate and support complex forest health projects utilizing the latest research, survey, and management strategies (e.g., chemical control, biological control, silviculture, drone/uAS surveys, prescribed fire, climate resiliency, etc.).
  • Serve as a point of contact on forest pest & disease matters for DEC, Ag & Markets, PRISMs, US Forest Service, and other agencies and organizations.
  • Standardize data collection protocol, digital survey forms (e.g., Survey123, Field Maps, etc.), and reporting methods.
  • Develop and provide trainings for State Parks staff.
  • Perform field work (e.g. forest pest surveys and forest stand assessments).
  • Utilize programs such as ArcPro, ArcGIS Online, etc., to analyze data and create comprehensive maps to help inform decision making.
  • Develop and manage contracts.
• And more!