Location: Harrisburg,PA, USA
THE POSITION
Are you skilled in parks and recreation management and eager to make a positive impact in our communities? The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is looking for candidates for a Recreation and Conservation Program Specialist position. Your role involves supporting the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program and the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program in Pennsylvania. These programs play a crucial role in helping municipalities across the state create new outdoor recreational opportunities for residents. By joining our team, you will contribute to enhancing the quality of life for Pennsylvanians through improved access to parks and recreational facilities. If you are passionate about community development and outdoor recreation, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
In this position, you will oversee the federal LWCF program and the ORLP program. These federal initiatives offer financial support to municipalities in Pennsylvania that seek grants for outdoor recreation acquisition or development. Your responsibilities will include formulating policies and procedures to guide the implementation of these programs. This entails establishing and recommending statewide goals, objectives, and priorities, ensuring alignment with relevant state and federal regulations, and conducting program evaluations while preparing comprehensive reports on findings and suggestions.
Additionally, this role involves managing both state and federal grants related to outdoor recreation and conservation, as well as executing statewide projects and special initiatives. You will ensure adherence to the requirements for lands acquired or developed with state and federal funding, ensuring their use for recreational, park, and conservation purposes in perpetuity.
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
* Full-time employment
* Work hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 60-minute lunch.
* Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time up to 5 days per pay period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg.
* Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
* You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Please check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
* One year of experience as a Recreation and Conservation Advisor 2 (commonwealth title); or
* Three years of professional experience in parks, recreation, or natural resource conservation administration, planning, or development; and a bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, landscape architecture, environmental sciences, city, regional, urban, or environmental planning, or a closely related field; or
* An equivalent combination of experience and training.
Other Requirements:
* You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
* You must be able to perform essential job functions.
How to Apply:
* Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
* If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
* Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
* Failure to comply with the above application requirements will eliminate you from consideration for this position.
Veterans:
* Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ...@pa.gov.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
* 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
* Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
* Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
* Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
* You must provide complete and accurate information or:
* your score may be lower than deserved.
* you may be disqualified.
You may only apply/test once for this posting.Your results will be provided via email.
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little extras that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
* Eligibility rules apply.
01
Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Recreation and Conservation Advisor 2 for one or more years full-time?
* Yes
* No
02
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
03
How many years of full-time professional experience do you possess in parks, recreation, or natural resource conservation administration planning or development?
* 3 or more years
* 2 but less than 3 years
* Less than 2 years
* None
04
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05
How much graduate coursework have you completed in parks and recreation, landscape architecture, environmental sciences, city, regional, urban or environmental planning, or a closely related field? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the Attachments tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information.
* 30 or more credits
* 15 but less than 30 credits
* Less than 15 credits
* None
06
You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application, or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.
Read each work behavior carefully. Determine and select which Level of Performance most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The Level of Performance you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.
If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the Yes button and proceed to the exam questions.
If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page.
* Yes
07
WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - EVALUATE PROJECTS
Evaluate current and future recreational and conservation projects; determine if the project is feasible and meets agency goals and best practices; and recommend revisions to or approval of the project.
Levels of Performance
Select the Level of Performance which best describes your claim.
* A. I have experience evaluating recreational and conservation projects; determining project feasibility and if goals and best practices are met; AND recommending revisions to or approval of the project.
* B. I have experience evaluating recreational and conservation projects AND determining project feasibility and if goals and best practices are met. I provided my findings to someone else who recommended revisions to or approved of the project.
* C. I have experience evaluating recreational and conservation projects.
* D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to project management, park planning and design, or conservation and natural resources.
* E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior.
08
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.
* The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
* Details regarding your experience evaluating projects, determining feasibility, and recommending approval of projects.
* Your level of responsibility.
09
If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.
* College/University
* Course Title
* Credits/Clock Hours
10
WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - COLLECT DATA AND DEVELOP WORK PLANS
Collect land management data; evaluate social and ecological risks and opportunities; and develop district annual work plans for recreation facilities, natural resource projects, and related resources.
Levels of Performance
Select the Level of Performance which best describes your claim.
* A. I have experience collecting land management data; evaluating risks and opportunities; and developing work plans related to recreation facilities and natural resource projects.
* B. I have experience evaluating risks and opportunities OR developing work plans related to recreation facilities and natural resource projects.
* C. I have experience collecting data.
* D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to research methods or land management.
* E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior.
11
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.
* The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
* Details regarding collecting, evaluating, developing work plans, and the subject matter.
* Your level of responsibility.
12
If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.
* College/University
* Course Title
* Credits/Clock Hours
13
WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - LIAISON
Serve as a liaison to various organizations, advisory committees, recreation trail associations, and municipal, state, or federal agencies by responding to inquiries from interested groups, facilitating meetings, and gathering feedback consistent with a recreation management plan.
Levels of Performance
Select the Level of Performance which best describes your claim.
* A. I have experience responding to inquiries and gathering feedback related to recreation management from various organizations.
* B. I have experience responding to inquiries and gathering feedback from various organizations.
* C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to customer service relations or communications.
* D. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior.
14
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.
* The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
* Details regarding your experience with communication and the subject matter you conveyed.
* Your level of responsibility.
15
If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.
* College/University
* Course Title
* Credits/Clock Hours
Required Question
Agency Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Address 613 North Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120
Website