Department of Civil Service

Description:

Position Description: The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) in
the Central Region is seeking Piping Plover Stewards to assist agency staff in the preservation of the Eastern
Lake Ontario Dune system at Selkirk Shores and Sandy Island Beach State Parks. Stewardship for the parks
in this capacity means that stewards will ensure that the preservation and management efforts undertaken by
environmental partners to protect the dunes and their associated wetlands are implemented.
Work duties may include:
Surveying for piping plovers along sandy shorelines (spotting scope/binoculars and ID training provided),
providing public education, preserving habitat by installing and maintaining beachgrass plantings, installing
protective fencing, conducting shoreline beach clean ups, replacing signage, engaging partners and
volunteers, researching/reading papers to inform management plans or mapping and removing invasive
species. Stewards will be asked to document their internships through work logs and a final reflection. These
duties and tasks will support and enhance visitor experience in the parks, strengthen the academic programs
of students, and allow students to develop life-long connections to NYS parks.
In addition, Stewards will gain valuable field experience and learn organizational, leadership and
communication skills that they will be able to apply in their personal and professional lives. The Stewards will
also have the opportunity to network within NYS Parks and other state agencies, and learn the logistics of
working at the state level.
Preferred Qualifications:
* Candidates must be sensitive to the ecology of threatened and endangered species.
* Candidates must be able to provide their own transportation to and from work sites.
* Willingness to be outside in potentially harsh (cold, wind, rain) field conditions without shelter
* Experience with plant/insect/bird identification helpful but not necessary.
* Experience with hand tools and spending time outdoors helpful but not necessary.
* Boating experience preferred, comfortable on watercraft and in water required.
* Experience with and comfortable interacting professionally with park patrons about sensitive
conservation topics.
* Candidates must be self-motivated, able to initiate projects and tasks, have good time management
and organizational skills, and effectively work with students and the public.

Skills:

Hands on field work

Communication skills

Comfort with water and watercraft

Comfort in outdoors

Internship Areas: Environmental Conservation, Scientific Research