Forest Health Technician (Parks and Recreation Aide 5)

~ From the shores of Long Island to the mighty Niagara Falls, New York's 180 state parks offer countless opportunities to explore your natural environment, escape from the grind of the everyday and experience exciting new adventures. Beaches, boat launches, hiking trails, campsites, and golf courses all await you! ~

Position Overview

The Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP) at NYS Parks is currently seeking a Forest Health Technician (Parks and Recreation Aide 5).

The Forest Health Technician will assist with regional efforts to preserve forest and riparian habitat, specifically through preservation of eastern hemlock in the context of hemlock woolly adelgid infestation. The Forest Health Technician will be responsible for working independently to collect data and map infestations in the field; facilitate chemical treatment by contractors or certified Parks staff; communicate with park staff, visitors, and volunteers; and develop useable maps and reports. Most of this work will happen in the forest, including on steep slopes. Some office work will also be necessary to input and process data. 

Duration: April 1, 2019- January 31, 2020

Position duration may be extended depending on funding availability. Applicant may also apply to work as a FORCES Stewardship Corps Member, and could work as a Forest Health Technician before and after a position on the Stewardship Corps. This would extend the Forest Health Technician position until April 24, 2020. Please reach out with questions.

Work Location: Technician will report to the Finger Lakes Regional Headquarters at Taughannock Falls State Park, 2221 Taughannock Park Road, Trumansburg NY. Agency vehicles will be used for travel to other parks within the Finger Lakes Region. 

Work Conditions: Work conditions include uneven terrain, heat, cold, rain, and frequent exposure to poison ivy, thorns, ticks, wild parsnip, and biting insects.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-and post-treatment monitoring of hemlocks to quantify new growth and adelgid density.
• Assist with benthic macroinvertebrate surveys in streams adjacent to hemlock forest. 
• Prepare areas prior to chemical treatment, including tagging trees, mapping treatment areas, and carrying water to be staged within treatment areas.
• Communicate with contractors hired to perform chemical treatments, including doing site visits pre-treatment. 
• Act as a rope handler for fall-protection gear to ensure safety of coworkers working on steep slopes.
• Coordinate with and help lead volunteers and classes in HWA and hemlock health surveys.
• Communicate with park staff and partners about logistics and work plans.
• Participate in outreach and education to park patrons, including the development of educational signage. 
• Process data collected in field to create maps, spreadsheets, and reports.
• Potential to pursue certification as a Licensed Pesticide Technician, and to apply chemical treatments alongside a Certified Applicator and other certified staff.

Qualifications

• Experience with mapping and GPS/ GIS. Must be able to make concise and usable maps using data collected on handheld Garmin devices throughout the season. 
• Familiarity with hemlock woolly adelgid, and hemlock identification and basic biology.
• Experience with field surveys and monitoring, and ability to perform repetitive work carefully and diligently.
• Experience with rope work or climbing preferred. 
• Strong, effective, communication skills and ability to interact with the public and park staff. 
• Independent, organized, and comfortable working alone in a field setting.
• A degree or equivalent experience in natural resources, biology, environmental studies, or a related field. 
• Reliable transportation to and from work location. 
• Able and excited to work outside for 37.5 hours a week, including in inclement weather.

Compensation

• From $13.30 to $13.30 Hourly

Additional Information 

If you are interested but do not meet the qualifications for this position, please consider getting involved with the FORCES (Friends of Recreation, Conservation and Environmental Stewardship) Program within NYS Parks. The FORCES Program offers a variety of internship and volunteer opportunities that give students the skills and experience to allow them to meet qualifications for job postings similar to this one. 

Other invasive species positions may be available. Please click here to view job announcements for:

• FORCES Stewardship Corps Lead (May-September)
• FORCES Stewardship Corps Member (May- August)
• Long Island Strike Team Crew Member (April-September)
• Long Island Strike Team Summer Crew Member (June-August)
• Forest Health Specialists (May-October)
• Eastern/Western Strike Team Specialists (May-October)

Note: Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload a resume, cover letter, and three references to Rebecca Sibner no later than February 24, 2019.
• Interviews and hiring will begin on February 25th, 2019.
• Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
• Please indicate in your email if you are also planning to apply for a position on the FORCES Stewardship Corps.
• Additional information about the position can be found here.