Endangered Species Steward

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

NYS OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION (OPRHP) - LONG ISLAND REGION

2025 Endangered Species Steward

Job Title:                    Endangered Species Steward

Work Location:           Various parks on Long Island

Seasonal Employment: Summer 2025 (April-August)

Work Schedule:           40 hours per week (average)                             

Salary:                        $18.19 - 20.45 depending on location, education, and experience.

Positions Available:     Twenty-Three (23) Varies depending on the park.

Closing Date:              3/1/25

These positions do not offer housing.

Position Overview: An Endangered Species Steward has three main responsibilities:

·        Monitoring and data collection of the endangered species’ nesting activities and reproductive success

·        Installing and maintaining the protection measures as delineated by USFWS guidelines.

·        Public education and outreach to help beach patrons understand the reasons for the protection measures.

All positions are provided with orientation and training. In addition, all seasonal staff may occasionally be involved with projects and programs for NY State Parks beyond the specific duties listed below. This extension of duties is intended to enhance the overall experience and appreciation for OPRHP’s agency mission.

1) Caumsett Position Description: Two (2) positions available. Spend the summer on the beautiful grounds of Caumsett State Park Preserve. The primary responsibility is the monitoring and protection of the endangered Piping Plover. Candidate will participate in a variety of natural resource projects including invasive plant eradication and native grassland habitat restoration and environmental education. 

2) Sunken Meadow Position Description: Two (2) positions are available for individuals at Sunken Meadow State Park in King’s Park, NY. Spend the summer along the Long Island Sound. The primary responsibility is the monitoring and protection of the endangered Piping Plover and Least Terns. Other duties include bluebird nest box monitoring, invasive plant control and assisting with environmental education programs.      

3) Jones Beach Position Description: Eleven (11) positions. Work along the Atlantic Ocean at Jones Beach, site of one of the largest populations of nesting Piping Plovers in Long Island’s State Parks. Candidate is also responsible for monitoring other listed shorebirds, such as Least and Common terns.

4) Orient Beach State Park: One (1) position. Spend your summer along the beaches of Gardiner’s Bay on the north fork of LI. The primary responsibility is the monitoring and protection of the endangered Piping Plover and least terns. The position also includes invasive plant control and assisting with environmental education programs.      

5) Montauk State Park Complex: Three (3) positions. Located on the south fork of Long Island, there are several Parks within the Montauk complexes that have nesting endangered shorebirds. The candidate’s responsibility would be assisting the on-site steward with their monitoring and protection. The position also includes invasive plant control and assisting with environmental education programs.

6) Robert Moses State Park: Four (4) positions. Work along the Atlantic Ocean at Robert Moses State Park, site of one of larger populations of nesting Piping Plovers in Long Island’s State Parks. Candidate is also responsible for monitoring other listed shorebirds, such as Least and Common terns.      

Minimum Qualifications:

·        Interest (experience preferred) in natural resources and working in the outdoors.

·        Must exhibit effective oral and written communication skills, as these positions require working directly with park patrons, volunteers, and park staff.

·        Valid driver’s license

·        Weekend work will be required, along with Memorial Day weekend and July 4^th.

·        All applicants must be in good physical health for field work.

·        Must have binoculars in good working condition.

TO APPLY:

If you feel you meet the minimum qualifications and the agency’s operating needs, and are interested in being considered for this vacancy, you can obtain an Employment Application from your local park office, your region’s administrative headquarters or you can download an application from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation by visiting the website at: https://parks.ny.gov/regions/long‐island/default.aspx.

Please email your application, cover letter, and resume to Patrick.Kaminski@parks.ny.gov and Suzanne.Montefinise@parks.ny.gov. Include “Endangered Species Steward” in the subject line.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For questions, please email Patrick Kaminski, Regional Piping Plover Program Coordinator, at Patrick.Kaminski@parks.ny.gov or Suzanne Montefinise, Environmental Education Coordinator, at Suzanne.Montefinise@parks.ny.gov.

Phone: (631) 581-1072