Environmental Program Specialist 1 / Trainee 1 / 2 - NY HELPS (3 Positions)

Description Duties

• Contract and Payments Section (CPS)

  This section is responsible for managing hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts related to DER programs including Emergency Response, State Superfund, RCRA, Radiation, and Brownfield programs.

  • Managing multiple types of contracts, including tracking work issued to contractors, ensuring budgets are maintained and not exceeded, reviewing and processing invoice payments, utilizing project tracking databases, interacting with contractors on diverse topics, conducting contract audits and reconciliations, and participating in contract procurement efforts.
  • Working with DEC fiscal staff, contractors, project managers, attorneys, staff from other State agencies, and the public.
  • Performing time-critical work with high accuracy.
  • Preferred candidates possess strong written and verbal communication skills, accuracy in data management, and the ability to work cooperatively with all stakeholders.
  • May require overnight travel to DEC Regional Offices.

• Resource Management and Recovery Section (RMRS)

  The section is responsible for recovering costs expended by the State for remediating contaminated hazardous waste sites and fiscal management related to several DER programs such as State Superfund, Emergency Response, Brownfield Cleanup and Environmental Restoration.

  • Assisting with cost recovery and management of various funding sources used in DER.
  • Reviewing cost recovery language in legal agreements, utilizing multiple databases, preparing cost recovery documents such as invoices, dunning letters, dispute responses, payment plans, and litigation packages, tracking financial status/awards, tracking expenditures, encumbrances, pending commitments and available balances.
  • Using the Statewide Financial System (SFS).
  • Working with DEC fiscal staff, project managers, attorneys, staff from other State agencies, and the public.
  • Performing time-critical work with high accuracy.
  • Preferred candidates possess strong written and verbal communication skills, accuracy in data management, and the ability to work cooperatively with all stakeholders.
  • May require overnight travel to DEC Regional Offices.

• Site Control Section

  The candidate should be knowledgeable in New York State statutes/regulations, relevant Commissioner Policies, DER Policies and DER Internal Guidance Procedures that directly affect the program they manage.

  • Performing detailed BCP Application reviews, processing BCA Amendments, and Change of Use Notices.
  • Administering the Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Site Registry classification system, processing classification packages, meeting statutory obligations for public notifications, managing Periodic Review Reminder Notice Mailing Program, Finalizing BCP Significant Threat Determinations, Maintaining data quality of site information, and providing Administrative Project Management support and guidance.
  • Managing multiple assignments/projects, while prioritizing workload and addressing other administrative needs.
  • Experience with Geographic Information System (GIS) - based software is a plus.
  • Additional duties will be discussed during interviews.

Qualifications

• Trainee 1: Four years or experience in a position where you have responsibility for the following: development and implementation of program policies and procedures; preparing and interpreting rules and regulations; development, preparation, and management of procurement (solicitation) documents, contracts, or grants; providing non-engineering technical assistance and information to consultants, public officials, and facility managers; collecting data, reviewing alternatives, performing qualitative or quantitative policy analyses; writing technical or programmatic reports; developing, implementing, analyzing, and evaluating programs; developing and implementing expenditure plans, procuring external funding sources, collecting and forecasting the impact of funding or organizational change efforts; assisting with the development of environmental public information campaigns. An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.
• Trainee 2: Five years or experience in a position where you have responsibility for the following: development and implementation of program policies and procedures; preparing and interpreting rules and regulations; development, preparation, and management of procurement (solicitation) documents, contracts, or grants; providing non-engineering technical assistance and information to consultants, public officials, and facility managers; collecting data, reviewing alternatives, performing qualitative or quantitative policy analyses; writing technical or programmatic reports; developing, implementing, analyzing, and evaluating programs; developing and implementing expenditure plans, procuring external funding sources, collecting and forecasting the impact of funding or organizational change efforts; assisting with the development of environmental public information campaigns. An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.
• Eps 1: Six years or experience in a position where you have responsibility for the following: development and implementation of program policies and procedures; preparing and interpreting rules and regulations; development, preparation, and management of procurement (solicitation) documents, contracts, or grants; providing non-engineering technical assistance and information to consultants, public officials, and facility managers; collecting data, reviewing alternatives, performing qualitative or quantitative policy analyses; writing technical or programmatic reports; developing, implementing, analyzing, and evaluating programs; developing and implementing expenditure plans, procuring external funding sources, collecting and forecasting the impact of funding or organizational change efforts; assisting with the development of environmental public information campaigns. An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.