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 Invasive Species Management Stewards to assist agency staff in the management of a wide variety of invasive
species. Stewardship for the parks in this capacity means that the individuals chosen as Stewards will act as caretakers
over the areas and species being threatened by the invasives.
Work duties may include:
* Assist the Three Gorges Project in manual removal and mapping invasive species in the Ithaca area State Parks.
* Mapping/removal of terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants at various locations (GPS, iMapInvasives)
* Forest health regarding hemlock woolly adelgid- includes tree surveying, mapping, and monitoring stands for tree
survival or efficacy of control treatments.
* Surveying for data-deficient or early detection invasive animals such as spotted lanternfly and jumping worm
* Eastern red-backed salamander monitoring at Taughannock Falls State Park and Jennings Pond
* Partnering with researchers to assess efficacy of invasive species management by collecting pre- and posttreatment
data and monitoring native plants as indicators of success.
* Developing and/or presenting educational programs or signage about invasive species
* Create map products from/ conduct analysis of invasive species spatial data (ArcGIS)
* Creation of stewardship plans, management recommendations, and/or reports
* Identification of invasive species concerns/future projects
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.
Qualifications:
* Candidates must be able to provide their own transportation to and from work sites.
* 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.
* Candidates must be comfortable doing manual labor & working outside in a variety of weather conditions.
* Experience with plant/insect identification, hand tools, map reading, and GIS helpful but not necessary.

Skills:

Hands on field work

Time and task management

Research Skills

Comfort in outdoors

GPS Skills

Internship Areas: Environmental Conservation, Planning/Analysis/Research, Scientific Research