Public Participation Specialist 2

Duties Description The Region 9 PPS 2 will support the activities of the Region 9 Division of Communication, Education, and Engagement as well as outreach in coordination with the DEC’s Office of Equity and Justice. The applicant will rely on their knowledge of environmental policies, regulations and Department procedures to respond to requests from program staff and the public. Applicant must have excellent accessible verbal and written communication skills and be able to communicate effectively with the full range of DEC customers, including difficult and confrontational people, sometimes under tight deadlines. Applicant will schedule and facilitate public meetings, hearings and other outreach events. Applicant will support the regional staff with responses to inquiries from the press, elected officials (including state and federal representatives), and the public. Applicant provides guidance to program staff on a diverse set of public participation-related matters, DEI initiatives and liaison work with Indian nation communities.Typical Duties: with DEC Region 9 Assistant Public Information Officer (APIO) and fellow personnel in the design and implementation of public participation programming for department programs. directed by the Region 9 APIO and Regional Director, work with the public to assure understanding of Department programs and solicit public input. Maintain directories of agencies, individuals and organizations to be involved in DEC decision-making processes. with regional staff to actively deploy the Department’s equity and justice initiatives including communications with DEC staff as well as external entities including Indian Nations.e summaries and periodic reports summarizing the nature and result of public involvement activities as requested and required. DEC programs, divisions and regions in production and development of information materials, press releases, rollout plans, and website content to support Department programs.nate and work with USEPA, county and local governments and other state agencies as needed to maximize the use of their public participation resources.tation with the APIO and Regional Director as required. directed, supervise lower level staff.e for and lead public meetings and other events, both virtually and in-person, by making site arrangements, preparing agendas, publicizing the event, and facilitating question and answer sessions with the public.e DEC initiatives and messages and coordinate agency participation at outreach events. Develop comprehensive work plans for outreach events and activities.e content development for DEC’s social media, DEC’s website and other platforms.nate with the APIO and Albany’s press office as needed.13. Maintain knowledge of the most current and important public issues and programs of the Department, NYS, and DEC Regional offices. Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a 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, 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.To be eligible for appointment under NY HELPS, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications below:Seven years of experience in the areas of natural resources management, environmental planning, urban planning, environmental regulation development, environmental interpretation, public policy analysis, public information, or public relations and outreach, which included developing and delivering professional presentations to technical or lay audiences or moderating, coordinating, facilitating, or leading public or stakeholder group meetings, or developing and presenting training or educational materials; developing and delivering professional presentations to public audiences, and planning and conducting public meetings; developing and presenting training and educational materials; or developing and implementing public involvement programs or activities.Substitution: 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.Competitive qualifications:Reassignment - Currently in the title and an employee of DECorReinstatement Eligible - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis or held a title as indicated under the transfer eligible section on a permanent competitive basis.