Parks and Recreation Aide 5- Water Quality Program Assistant

The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description The Water Quality Program Assistant will assist the Water Quality Unit with achieving unit goals and will collaborate closely with unit staff. The applicant must be able to work as a member of a small team and be comfortable working in the office and the field. The applicant must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be meticulous in the collection and handling of data. This position may also serve to satisfy a student internship need. Duties include but are not limited to: • Record daily park beach water quality lab reports and field sheets.• Review and assess historical paper files for scanning.• Organize and categorize scanned files according to unit needs.• Preform quality checks to verify that all entered data and scanned files are complete and accurately stored.• Pick-up and drop-off park beach samples from Glimmerglass State Park weekly and HAB samples as needed to labs.• Assist with field work preparation including equipment loading, mapping, and coordination with regional staff and/or partners.• Potential fieldwork could include collecting water and plant samples on foot or by boat, conducting tests for various water quality parameters, collaborating with partners on data collection, and assisting with aquatic invasive species management.• Assist Water Quality Unit staff with other program tasks as needed.

The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. Minimum Qualifications There are no minimum qualifications for this title per Civil Service.

Additional comments regarding the vacancy. Additional Comments OPERATING 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.• Able to work outdoors in extreme conditions (long hours, inclement weather, heat, humidity, cold, biting insects). • Perform work on unpaved, uneven surfaces (tripping hazards). • Perform work in, on, and around water (rivers, lakes, oceans, etc.). • Must be able to stand, bend, sit, lift, and drive. • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. • One year of college with coursework in biology, ecology, natural resources, or related field.• proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.• excellent communication and writing skills. Preferred Qualifications: • • Ability to work early hours and interact with the public professionally. • Strong attention to detail and basic understanding of digital file management. • Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills. • Excellent communication, data management, technical writing, and creative problem-solving skills. • Able to work independently and as part of a team. • Experience performing water quality sampling. • Previous water quality-related coursework, fieldwork, or professional experience; experience with creating educational materials; proficiency with ArcGIS.• Completed or pursuing a degree in biology, environmental science, natural resources, or related field is preferred. • NYS Safe Boating Safety Certificate

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