Department of Civil Service

Description:

Position Description:
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) in the Finger Lakes Region is
seeking Conservation Stewards to assist agency staff in the management of targeted natural areas. Stewardship for the
parks in this capacity means that the individuals chosen as Stewards will act as caretakers over the designated areas and
native species.
Work duties may include:
* Monitoring eastern bluebird nesting boxes and/or conducting avian point count surveys.
* Deployment of wildlife cameras and/or conducting track surveys to detect target species, e.g. river otter
* Assessing the vegetative impacts of white-tailed deer within fenced and open sampling locations
* Monitoring benthic macroinvertebrates and/or salamanders for non-target impacts of management.
* Surveying and mapping rare native plants and/or animals.
* Planting native species, removal of invasive plants, and/or collecting seed for landscape restoration
* Monitoring pollinators and/or sampling for the OE parasite in monarch butterflies.
* Forest health regarding hemlock woolly adelgid- includes tree surveying, mapping, and monitoring stands for tree survival or
efficacy of control treatments.
* Creation of educational programs, signage, or other materials
* Identification of conservation concerns/future projects
* Habitat assessment / remote sensing (ArcGIS)
Work conditions include uneven terrain, heat, cold, and exposure to poison ivy, thorns, ticks, and biting insects
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.

Skills:

Verbal and written communication skills

Hands on field work

Comfort with outdoors and hazards

Organizational Skills

Internship Areas: Communications/Public Relations, Education, Environmental Conservation, Scientific Research