NYS Parks-Long Island
New Member
NYS OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION
AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Title: Forest Health Specialist – Sawyer Crew
August 11 - December 21, 2016
$13.84 per hour - 19 weeks plus per diem when traveling
2 positions available
Locations:
Primary – Connetquot River State Park Preserve
Sunrise Highway
Oakdale, NY 11769
Travel and camping in other parks and regions 20-30%
Description:
The Southern Pine Beetle is now well established on Long Island and has killed thousands of trees in only a few years. The dead standing trees present a significant risk to park patrons and staff. The primary goal is to fell hazardous Pitch Pines at Connetquot River State Park Preserve. Specialists will also survey other parks for Southern Pine Beetle and thin stands or fell dead and otherwise infested trees. Employees will be provided training in the Game of Logging Levels 1 - 2, CPR & First Aid. There are over 3,000 pine trees currently standing dead due to SPB which present a significant hazard to park patrons and staff alongside trails. The Forest Health Specialist-Sawyer Crew will work for and report to Invasive Species Program staff. Assistance from Regional Natural Resource Steward-Biologists, regional DEC Forestry staff, Natural Heritage Program scientists and educators will be provided. These Forest Health Specialists are a crucial component of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) statewide Invasive Species Management Program.
Forest Health Specialists will work primarily on Long Island. However, some early detection surveys and thinning may also be scheduled in the Taconic and Palisades Regions (see http://nysparks.com/regions/default.aspx for OPRHP regional delineations). Regional travel in a state vehicle and regular overnight camping in State Park facilities will be necessary.
Please note these positions do not include healthcare benefits or paid leave.
Housing is not provided.
Duties:
These staff will spend the duration of the project cutting down pine trees killed by the Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) and suppressing pine beetle in areas where remaining trees can be saved. Specialists are expected to be self-starters, highly independent problem solvers, reliable and motivated with an interest in forest health, environmental stewardship and education. Excellent communication with park staff and park patrons are a crucial aspect of these positions.
Forest Health Specialists also participate in early detection surveys, which involve surveying trails and performing transects on Long Island and elsewhere. Successful Forest Health Specialists will need a strong level of physical fitness and sawyering skills with an emphasis on safety.
Several forms of data collection and data management are necessary, including working with GIS. Other survey and map making tasks may be assigned as needed by supervising staff. A final report summarizing the season’s work, complete with GIS maps, will be submitted at the end of the season.
Specialists are expected to travel frequently (20 - 30% of their time) during their employment, and be willing to camp in Park campgrounds for overnight stays when necessary.
Qualifications:
Walter Burak
Long Island Regional Biologist
PO Box 247
Babylon, NY 11702
Phone: 631-581-1072
Fax: 631-224-8435
E-mail or send by FAX a completed pre-employment application a letter of interest and resume. Include three work references with contact name and email, name of business/facility and phone number. Part 1 Pre-Employment application can be found at http://nysparks.com/employment/park-employment.aspx
You can e-mail your completed application, letter and resume to [email protected], or FAX it to 631-224-8435.
Deadline:
All position specific cover letters and resumes must be received by 5 pm, July 29 2016.
AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Title: Forest Health Specialist – Sawyer Crew
August 11 - December 21, 2016
$13.84 per hour - 19 weeks plus per diem when traveling
2 positions available
Locations:
Primary – Connetquot River State Park Preserve
Sunrise Highway
Oakdale, NY 11769
Travel and camping in other parks and regions 20-30%
Description:
The Southern Pine Beetle is now well established on Long Island and has killed thousands of trees in only a few years. The dead standing trees present a significant risk to park patrons and staff. The primary goal is to fell hazardous Pitch Pines at Connetquot River State Park Preserve. Specialists will also survey other parks for Southern Pine Beetle and thin stands or fell dead and otherwise infested trees. Employees will be provided training in the Game of Logging Levels 1 - 2, CPR & First Aid. There are over 3,000 pine trees currently standing dead due to SPB which present a significant hazard to park patrons and staff alongside trails. The Forest Health Specialist-Sawyer Crew will work for and report to Invasive Species Program staff. Assistance from Regional Natural Resource Steward-Biologists, regional DEC Forestry staff, Natural Heritage Program scientists and educators will be provided. These Forest Health Specialists are a crucial component of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) statewide Invasive Species Management Program.
Forest Health Specialists will work primarily on Long Island. However, some early detection surveys and thinning may also be scheduled in the Taconic and Palisades Regions (see http://nysparks.com/regions/default.aspx for OPRHP regional delineations). Regional travel in a state vehicle and regular overnight camping in State Park facilities will be necessary.
Please note these positions do not include healthcare benefits or paid leave.
Housing is not provided.
Duties:
These staff will spend the duration of the project cutting down pine trees killed by the Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) and suppressing pine beetle in areas where remaining trees can be saved. Specialists are expected to be self-starters, highly independent problem solvers, reliable and motivated with an interest in forest health, environmental stewardship and education. Excellent communication with park staff and park patrons are a crucial aspect of these positions.
Forest Health Specialists also participate in early detection surveys, which involve surveying trails and performing transects on Long Island and elsewhere. Successful Forest Health Specialists will need a strong level of physical fitness and sawyering skills with an emphasis on safety.
Several forms of data collection and data management are necessary, including working with GIS. Other survey and map making tasks may be assigned as needed by supervising staff. A final report summarizing the season’s work, complete with GIS maps, will be submitted at the end of the season.
Specialists are expected to travel frequently (20 - 30% of their time) during their employment, and be willing to camp in Park campgrounds for overnight stays when necessary.
Qualifications:
- An undergraduate degree or 4 years’ experience related to forestry, environmental studies, forest/stream ecology, natural resource management, invasive species management, or a relevant discipline such as general biology.
- Experience in collection of field data and ecological monitoring methods.
- Ability to navigate in backcountry conditions with map and compass and/or GPS.
- Working knowledge of GIS to create maps with collected data.
- Experience in interacting with and/or educating the public.
- Familiarity with invasive insects and their impacts.
- Interest in and commitment to environmental stewardship.
- Comfortable working in a team of two with minimal day to day oversight.
- Strong level of physical fitness with little to no fear of heights.
- Excellent organizational skills in a field setting.
- Some knowledge of New York flora and fauna, particularly tree identification.
- Committed to environmental stewardship and a team-oriented approach to solving day to day challenges.
- Must have some personal camping equipment and be comfortable camping frequently for the duration of employment.
- A valid driver’s license.
- Certification in chainsaw operation and safety preferred.
Walter Burak
Long Island Regional Biologist
PO Box 247
Babylon, NY 11702
Phone: 631-581-1072
Fax: 631-224-8435
E-mail or send by FAX a completed pre-employment application a letter of interest and resume. Include three work references with contact name and email, name of business/facility and phone number. Part 1 Pre-Employment application can be found at http://nysparks.com/employment/park-employment.aspx
You can e-mail your completed application, letter and resume to [email protected], or FAX it to 631-224-8435.
Deadline:
All position specific cover letters and resumes must be received by 5 pm, July 29 2016.
