Program Research Specialist 2

The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description The Program Research Specialist 2, SG-23 will serve as the Regional Sustainability Coordinator who is dedicated to leading and supporting sustainability initiatives at OPRHP. Working closely with regional staff, facility managers, external partners, this role will foster sustainable practices, improve reporting accuracy, and drive measurable environmental outcomes aligned with New York State's climate and sustainability goals and Executive Order 22 is a directive aimed at advancing sustainability and decarbonization efforts within the state. The position will oversee one program research specialist 1 at the main office. The Program Research Specialist 2's duties:
• Identify and assess new sustainability program needs and opportunities, ensuring alignment with agency goals and best practices.
• Design, pilot, and implement region-wide sustainability initiatives, such as composting programs and energy audits.
• Organize and facilitate sustainability-focused public events and educational programs in collaboration with community groups and park staff.
• Support and evaluate pilot programs for sustainable technologies and processes, assessing feasibility for broader implementation.
• Develop and execute data collection strategies for regional sustainability programs, analyzing effectiveness and compliance with Executive Order 22 (EO22).
• Conduct trend analysis and forecasting to identify opportunities for program expansion or improvement, providing actionable recommendations.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, dashboards, and presentations for regional and agency leadership, including annual EO22 reports.
• Serve as the regional liaison to the Bureau of Sustainability, participating in statewide meetings and training sessions.
• Develop educational materials and engage with the community to promote sustainability initiatives and encourage public participation.
• Collaborate with various departments to ensure sustainable practices are integrated into daily operations and track progress toward sustainability goals.

The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS Qualifications: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are: A bachelor's degree including or supplemented by nine semester credit hours in statistics, biostatistics, economics, econometrics, research methods, mathematics, data analysis, or data modeling and three years of professional research experience in the collection and evaluation of quantitative data directed toward review and analysis of program operations.Substitution: J.D. or master's degree may substitute for one year of the experience; a doctoral degree may substitute for two years of the experience. If verifiable, we will accept and prorate part-time and volunteer experience.*Employees appointed via the NY HELPS program are restricted for promotional appointment until their position is covered-in to the competitive class by the New York State Civil Service Commission (CSC), or they otherwise obtain permanent competitive status. The CSC has recently covered-in employees who were appointed via NY HELPS on a permanent or contingent permanent basis between June 26, 2024 and June 11, 2025. Notification to employees regarding a change in their status is forthcoming. You may wish to apply if you received a permanent NY HELPS appointment to a qualifying title within these timeframes and are interested in this opportunity. Your eligibility for promotion will be reviewed by Human Resources. Employees with a permanent NY HELPS appointment occurring effective 6/12/25 or later will be addressed with a subsequent cover-in.REASSIGNMENT QUALIFICATIONS: You must be a current New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) employee with one year of permanent, competitive or 55-b/55-c service as Program Research Specialist 2, SG-23. Eligible List Appointment: Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if reachable on the Program Research Specialist 2 eligible list. 52.6 Transfer Qualifications: You must be a qualified employee of New York State and eligible for transfer under Section 52.6 of Civil Service Law which requires one year of permanent, competitive or 55-b/55-c service as in a qualifying title within two salary grades or one M grade of the grade 23 level.55-b/c QUALIFICATIONS: This position is eligible for 55b/c appointment, and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. To be eligible for a 55b/c appointment, candidate must be currently enrolled in the Civil Service 55b/c program and must meet the minimum qualifications listed above. To be considered, you must provide a copy of your letter of eligibility with your response and meet the minimum qualifications listed above.It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.NON-COMPETITIVE PROMOTION (NCP) QUALIFICATIONS: As required by the New York State Department of Civil Service, we are posting for this position to determine if there are any qualified OPRHP employees interested in a permanent appointment to the position. If there are three or fewer qualified candidates interested in the position who meet the promotion minimum qualifications, a permanent appointment can be made pursuant to Section 52.7 of the Civil Service Law. The promotion minimum qualifications are: one year of permanent competitive service at the full performance level as an Program Research Specialist 1, SG-18. PROVISIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Based on the results of the required recruitment/canvassing for the Program Research Specialist 2 position, OPRHP may make a provisional appointment to this position. If a provisional appointment is made, the appointed candidate will be required to compete in the next holding of the Program Research Specialist 2 exam and be reachable for appointment from the newly established eligible list.The minimum qualifications for provisional appointment are: 1: You must be a qualified employee of New York State and have one (1) year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as a Program Research Specialist 1 (and all parenthetic), SG-18. OR 2: A bachelor's degree including or supplemented by nine semester credit hours in statistics, biostatistics, economics, econometrics, research methods, mathematics, data analysis, or data modeling and three years of professional research experience in the collection and evaluation of quantitative data directed toward review and analysis of program operations.Substitution: J.D. or master's degree may substitute for one year of the experience; a doctoral degree may substitute for two years of the experience. If verifiable, we will accept and prorate part-time and volunteer experience.

Additional comments regarding the vacancy. Additional Comments BENEFITS: Generous benefits package, worth approximately 65% of salary, including: Paid Time Off
• PEF: 44 days – 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 5 personal leave days, 13 holidays
• Three (3) days of professional leave annually to participate in professional developmentHealth Care Benefits:
• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional costAdditional Benefits:
• New York State Employees' Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Paid Parental LeaveTo learn more about our benefits, visit:

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