Natural Heritage Trust
Employment Announcement
Title: State Land Planner,
Agency: Natural Heritage Trust,
Agency Assignment: NYS Adirondack Park Agency,
Location: State Office Complex, Ray Brook NY,
Compensation: $61,000/year and benefits package,
Work Schedule: Full time, 37.5 hours/week; Monday-Friday,
Organizational Backgrounds
The Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) is a New York State (NYS) public benefit corporation. Established in 1968, the NHT’s mission is to receive and administer gifts, grants and other funds to further public programs for parks, conservation and historic preservation purposes of the State of New York. The NHT is governed by a four-member Board of Directors comprised of the Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Chair of the State Council of Parks, the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Secretary of State.
The NYS Adirondack Park Agency (APA) was created in 1971 by the New York State Legislature to develop longrange land use plans for both public and private lands within the boundary of the Park. The Agency works to insure optimum overall conservation, protection, preservation, development and use of the unique scenic, aesthetic, wildlife, recreational, open space, historic, ecological, and natural resources of the Adirondack Park.
The Agency’s Planning Division develops guidance and policy for the ~3 million acres of state land within the Park and prepares unit plans in coordination with the Dept. of Environmental Conservation. The Division also administers approved local land use plans with certain Adirondack communities, organizes an annual planning forum for local governments and planning boards, administers the public and private land use maps, and provides GIS services to fulfill the Agency’s mission.
The selected candidate for this position will be an employee of the NHT with work conducted under the supervision of APA’s State Land team within the Planning Division.
Description of Duties
The State Land Planner implements the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan. The State Land Planner will work collaboratively with other State Land team members, members of other divisions within the Agency, and other state entities to undertake land use planning efforts for the ~3 million acres of state land within the Park. This role will also be involved in the development of Forest Preserve policy and guidance to inform management of state lands.
Specific Duties:
The State Land Planner’s duties will include, but are not limited to the following:
- Provision of guidance and interpretation of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (SLMP)
- Classification of state land acquisitions in accordance with the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Amending the SLMP
- Development and review of unit management plans (UMPs) for conformance with the SLMP
- Consultation with the Department of Environmental Conservation and other state entities for projects on state lands
- Field work as needed to collect data and inform classification and planning efforts
- Development of visitor use management frameworks and associated monitoring protocols to address recreation management challenges at various scales
- Review of recreation management plans for conservation easements in which the State has a vested interest
- Representation of the Agency at meetings, events, and advisory groups as needed
Qualification
Required:
Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and at least five years of experience in one or more of the following disciplines: land use planning (local or regional); environmental law and/or policy; environmental science; conservation biology; ecology; recreation management; water resource management; environmental engineering.
Preferred:
In addition to the minimum qualifications, ideal candidates will also possess the following:
- Master’s degree in one of the aforementioned disciplines or a related subject
- Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and as a member of a team
- Proficiency in analyzing and interpreting laws and regulations and applying them to real world situations
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including comfort with making presentations to a diverse group of stakeholders
- Experience with geographic information systems and basic spatial analysis
- Comfort with field work, including navigating varied terrain in all seasons
- Ability to synthesize and make use of the best available science to guide decision making with respect to projects and policies
- Openness to giving and receiving feedback to enable continuous personal and team growth
- An interest in and familiarity with the Adirondack Park as a global model for conservation and land use planning, including the Adirondack Park Agency Act, Article XIV of the NYS Constitution, and Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan
Additional Comments
NHT is committed to building and encouraging an inclusive workplace that strives for respect and promotes and values diversity. We believe that organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, and perspective, or any other trait that makes an individual unique, are proven to be better organizations. Please consider joining the team as we work together to build a welcoming workplace where employees recognize their unique characteristics, skills, and experiences are respected, valued, and celebrated.
To support our employees, NHT provides a generous benefits package similar to what is offered to New York State employees. Our total compensation package includes, but is not limited to, leave benefits (14 paid holidays as well as paid vacation, sick, and personal leave); a comprehensive health insurance program including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision plans; and membership in the NYS Employees Retirement System. Additionally, employees may be eligible for partial remote work schedules.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit the employment application Part 1, a cover letter, resume, three references, and a writing sample via email to: Megan.Phillips@apa.ny.gov
Deadline: Close of business, 9/29/23
Contact: Megan Phillips, Deputy Director for Planning
NYS Adirondack Park Agency
Megan.Phillips@apa.ny.gov
t is the policy of the State of New York and NHT to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran or military service, member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest and/or criminal conviction record, or any other category protected by law, unless based upon a bona fide occupational
qualification or other exception. The NHT is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide their current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@oer.ny.gov.
