Parks and Recreation Aide 3 (Volunteer Coordinator) - The Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center

Duties Description

Under the direction of the Park Manager and the supervision of the Environmental Educator 2, the volunteer coordinator will assist with all field operations for trail projects and volunteer work. Tasks include, but are not limited to:
• Coordinating and recruiting volunteers through outreach to local schools and organizations.
• Assigning, training, and leading volunteers on trail projects, citizen science initiatives, and environmental education programs and events
• Assisting with community and volunteer engagement and outreach, including trail user groups, Friends of Thacher State Park, the local community, and other groups that affiliate with the park.
• Must possess strong skills in sustainable trail-building techniques to perform hands-on skilled work (carpentry, masonry, erosion mitigation, and trail stabilization) and a wide range of trail maintenance and construction tasks throughout the park in both a backcountry & front country setting. Projects may include new trail construction, tread and drainage improvements, stone staircases and retaining walls, bog bridge and boardwalk construction, hazard tree removal, signage installation, and general facilities maintenance.
• Operating, maintaining, and storing hand tools, power tools, and small equipment.
• Promoting volunteer opportunities and completed projects by creating and distributing flyers, newsletters, social media, and emails
• Working within a budget, purchasing and organizing materials, and maintaining accurate inventory
• Assist the Environmental Education team with school and public programming, coverage of the Nature Center and other tasks as needed.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
No minimum qualification per Civil Service.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience working with and leading groups of volunteers
• Experience in Environmental or outdoor education.
• Experience with sharpening, fixing, and cleaning tools/gear/equipment
• Experience working in the outdoors, working on a trail crew, and using hand tools such as shovels, pick mattocks, rock bars, rouge horses, iron rakes, loppers, hand pruners, hand tampers, post hole diggers, MA clouds, timber carriers, cordless drills, and carpentry saws.
• Experience with sustainable trail practices.

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 be able to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time outside and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with other staff and park patrons in a responsible and courteous manner.
• Must possess strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently as well as with others.
• Be able to attend the game of logging (GOL) chainsaw certification course or approved equivalent course and maintain the ability to conduct logging operations as a term and condition of employment.
• Will be required to work nights, weekends and holidays as needed.

BENEFITS:
This position has the option to join the NYS Employees’ Retirement System and may be eligible for health insurance, dental and vision coverage as well as the opportunity for paid time off in the form of vacation, sick, personal and holiday leave after time and service requirements have been met.

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

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

Closing Date/Time: 06/18/25

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• New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

• 518-474-0453

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