Park Manager 1 (NY HELPS) (Tree Program)

Duties Description

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) in the Genesee Region is seeking a Park Manager 1, SG-18 to oversee the management of risk tree program, sawyer program, and replanting programs throughout the Genesee Region. Under the direct supervision of the Park Operations Manager 1, M-1, the incumbent’s responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Oversee tree care crews, ensuring safe and effective operations, including the training of staff in the identification of native and ornamental tree species and the use of tools/equipment for tree and brush removal.
• Collaborate with park managers to identify potentially hazardous trees that require pruning or removal.
• Assist park managers in hazardous tree assessments across the region.
• Supervise and perform proper tree care operations, including tree removal and pruning from both aerial lifts and ground level.
• Manage replanting operations, stump grinding, brush chipping, and other vegetation management tasks.
• Ensure that all tree care work is performed in accordance with current arboricultural best practices and safety protocols.
• Operate and maintain various equipment such as chainsaws, bucket trucks, aerial lifts, dump trucks, chippers, stump grinders, skid steers, and other tools commonly used in tree care and park maintenance.
• Recruit, train, and evaluate semi-skilled and skilled staff in alignment with the scope and needs of the regional tree care programs.
• Properly identify native and ornamental park trees and knowledge of tree growth and physiological characteristics.
• May interact with park patrons to resolve concerns, answer questions, and provide general directions.
• Work in partnership with OPRHP Health and Safety to develop training criteria and evaluate programs for OPRHP sawyers.
• Assist with service contract development for tree services; solicit quotes and determine scope of work for outside contractors in all facets of tree care following the Business Services Center procurement guidelines.
• Develop and maintain budgets for Temporary and Seasonal (T&S) staff, Non-Personal Services purchasing, and State Park Infrastructure Funding (SPIF) funded project budget tracking as related to tree care, management, and planting.

Minimum Qualifications

NY HELPS QUALIFICATIONS:
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).**

To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:

Either 1. six years of experience** working in a park, recreational facility, or campus* in any two of these functional areas: administration (business, personnel, finance); capital or operational planning; recreational programming; public relations/visitor services; maintenance; or environmental education/interpretation. This experience must have included two years of supervisory experience;

Or 2. a bachelor's or higher-level degree in environmental education, environmental management, environmental policy, environmental sustainability, forestry, golf course management, historic preservation, horticulture, natural resources management, park administration, park management or recreation management AND two years of supervisory experience working in a park, recreational facility, or campus* as described in any of the functional areas listed in option 1 above.

Examples of non-qualifying experience include but are not limited to working at a gym, ski area/resort, and sport stadiums.

Examples of non-qualifying degrees include but are not limited to accounting, anthropology, archaeology, biology (all majors), business, history, hospitality, physical education, recreation therapy and sports management.

*A park, recreational facility, or campus is defined as a location that offers at least three of the following elements: athletic fields, skating rink, campgrounds, golf courses, hiking trails, historic structures, marinas, picnic areas, playgrounds, recreation programs, swimming facilities or education, environmental or interpretive programming. You must clearly list this information on your application.

**If verifiable, we will accept and prorate appropriate part-time and volunteer experience.

Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.

Transfer Opportunity: Candidates must be current New York State employees and have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a title eligible for transfer under Section 52.6 or 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.

Additional Comments

OPERATIONAL NEEDS:
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license that allows the candidate to legally operate a motor vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment.
• Must possess or obtain a valid Class B Commercial Driver’s License with airbrake and “N” endorsement within the probationary period and maintain it as a term and condition of employment.
• Must have completed Game of Logging level 1, 2 and 3 or equivalent training.
• Must obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR training
• Must be physically able to perform medium to heavy physical labor and must be able to lift at least 75 pounds.
• Must have the ability to operate and perform routine maintenance on a variety of power-driven mechanical equipment, including trucks, chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders and skid steers.
• Must be willing to work outdoors year-round and in all weather conditions.
• Will also be required to be deployed to perform work during emergency events as directed by the State Emergency Management Operations Center and/or NYSOPRHP management.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
• One year of experience in tree care or forestry operations.

**Under the provision of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act (1991), this position has been designated Safety Sensitive. The incumbent is required to participate in pre-employment, random and post-accident drug and alcohol testing.

BENEFITS:
Generous benefits package, worth approximately 65% of salary, including:

Paid Time Off:
• 44 days - 13 Vacation days, 13 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays.
• PEF: Three (3) days of professional leave annually to participate in professional development.

Health Care Benefits:
• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.

Additional Benefits:
• New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Paid Parental Leave

To learn more about our benefits, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/employment/benefits.aspx.

Additional Comments

:
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe filled via a permanent, non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Closing Date/Time: 06/27/25

• 

• New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

• 518-474-0453

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