Job: Park Planner

Job Description and Posting
Natural Heritage Trust
TITLE: Park Planner
WORK LOCATION: Planning Bureau, New York State Parks
Agency Bldg One, Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12238
DATE: September 4, 2007

SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Natural Heritage Trust on behalf of and through an agreement with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NY State Parks) is seeking applicants for three (3) Park Planner positions. NY State Parks has set goals for the acceleration of the preparation of master plans and other planning documents. Individuals selected for these positions will be responsible for the preparation of those planning documents and meeting those agency goals. Successful candidates will be expected to foster communication among
staff throughout State Parks as well as staff of other agencies, interest groups and the public. Considerable travel and periods of additional work hours beyond normal times will be required of the individuals filling these positions. Candidates must have excellent writing skills and a background, interest and working knowledge of planning and environmental review processes. They must be able to develop reasonable schedules and milestones and keep to those schedules
as well as develop and promulgate, in an efficient and effective manner, planning documents of all types throughout the NY State Park system.

An important part of the mission of NY State Parks is the provision of quality recreation and the protection and interpretation of its natural and cultural resources. Individuals filling these positions must have a working knowledge and understanding of recreation and environmental resources within park systems as well as the appropriate use and protection of those same resources.

Specific Job Duties:

· Oversee and coordinate planning teams for preparation of specific master plans as well as other planning documents and reports

· Prepare state park master plans and other state park planning documents

· Coordinate review of state park master plans and other state park planning documents

· Conduct inventories and research related to planning for state parks and sites

· Set up and Coordinate public participation such as information meeting and hearings

· Develop scope of services for special studies related to master plans and other planning documents

· Provide presentations to agency decision- makers on the status of planning efforts in the state park system

· Organize and coordinate intra-agency working groups

· Organize and coordinate master plan study groups consisting of representatives of interest groups, local officials and interested citizens

· Work effectively with GIS specialists, environmental analysts, biologists and recreation planners in the development of master plans and other planning reports and documents

· Assess the implementation of adopted plans and make recommendations regarding improvements


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in planning or regional planning, forestry, outdoor recreation, wildlife, fisheries, biology, environmental science, GIS or an equivalent discipline is required along with 2 years experience in natural resource planning. Thirty graduate credit hours in these disciplines or an equivalent may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

2. Proficiency with computer applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

3. Familiarity with parks and historic sites – their resources, management and operation

4. Proven capability to prepare plans and outline and oversee planning processes

5. Excellent communication skills both written and oral. Proven ability to work with people.

6. Working knowledge of GIS applications preferred but not required.


STARTING SALARY RANGE: $42,000 to $48,000 plus benefits.

TO APPLY: Qualified candidates should send a resume, a writing
sample, a list of three references and contact information and a
letter of interest to the contact person listed below. This
information must be received within 45 days of the date of this
notice.

Ms. Elaine Bartley
Acting Executive Director
Natural Heritage Trust
PO Box 2093
Albany, NY 12220-0093
Phone: 518-474-2997

The Natural Heritage Trust is an equal opportunity employer.