New York State Department of Civil Service Announces Open-Competitive Examination Open to the Public

Senior/Associate Environmental Analyst (Agriculture)

Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $3,026 annual downstate adjustment. Appointees who work in Dutchess, Orange, or Putnam Counties will receive an additional $1,513 annual mid-Hudson adjustment.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before May 30, 2017, you must have:

For No. 28-373:

Either 1: Six years of work experience in a position having a substantial relationship to agricultural land use analysis, soil and water conservation management, or the protection of farms and farmland resources (see definition below);

Or 2: Six years of work experience in any combination of the following roles: Soil and Water Conservation District Manager; National Resources Conservation Service District or Resources Conservation; New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee (State Committee) Consultant Service Provider; Professional Staff of Land Trust Organization; Cooperative Extension Agent (Agriculture); Regional Planning Commission and County Planning Office (see defined roles below).

For No. 28-374:

Either 1: Seven years of work experience in a position having a substantial relationship to agricultural land use analysis, soil and water conservation management, or the protection of farms and farmland resources (see definition below);

Or 2: Seven years of work experience in any combination of the following roles: Soil and Water Conservation District Manager; National Resources Conservation Service District or Resources Conservation; New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee (State Committee) Consultant Service Provider; Professional Staff of Land Trust Organization; Cooperative Extension Agent (Agriculture); Regional Planning Commission and County Planning Office (see defined roles below).

Definition: At least 50% of the time must have been spent working with county officials, environmental organizations, soil and water conservation districts, or farmers in any one of the following areas:

1. Agricultural land use analysis including review of farm operations and farmland resources, analyzing project impact statements, maps, reports, and other information documents; performing on-site investigations; interviewing involved parties, discussing and negotiating alternatives, preparing written assessments, and providing expert testimony on farm resource issues, on whether projects will adversely affect agricultural resources and farm management activities without modification or mitigative action.
2. Soil and water conservation management including the design, planning or implementation of soil and water conservation projects, or water quality of non-point source abatement and control projects; or soil and water conservation techniques, or farm resources management practices.
3. Protection of farms and farmland resources including the purchase or transfer of development rights, or farmland easements; or laws, regulations, programs and procedures which affect farmland protection/preservation; or land use planning.

Experience Substitutions:

Either 1. a bachelor���s degree substitutes for four years of experience, or an associate���s degree for two years of experience in the following degree fields: agronomy, soil science, soil conservation, agricultural engineering, or natural resources management;

Or 2. a bachelor���s degree substitutes for four years of experience or an associate���s degree for two years of experience, with specific course credits in the following degrees and courses: environmental studies, environmental conservation, engineering, earth science, environmental science, plant science, forestry, geography, or urban or regional planning or a closely related agricultural or natural resources discipline; including either 12 semester credit hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant sciences at least 6 hours of which must have been in soils; or 12 semester hours in farmland protection; urban, regional or land use planning; or geography.

Defined Roles:

1. Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Manager - Manages the day to day operations of the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). Is responsible for the supervision of technical and administrative support staff. Carries out the SWCD���s Annual Plan of Operation and reports to the SWCD���s Board of Directors. Implements the Statewide programs at the local level including Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM), Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program, Climate Resilient Farming Program, and Municipal Assistance including stormwater and stream management programs.
2. National Resources Conservation Service District or Resources Conservation - Works with farmers and other landowners to develop conventional conservation plans addressing resource concerns. Implements various Farm Bill Programs. Conducts review of contracts to ensure compliance with established schedules and practice requirements. Promotes NRCS objectives and programs and supervises Soil Conservationists and other junior staff at the District level.
3. New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee (State Committee) Consultant Service Provider - State committee Consultant Service Providers and SWCD employees who provide fulltime program services to the State Committee. Responsibilities include marketing and outreach services, program data collection and support services, and management of special program initiatives. State Committee Consultant Service Providers conduct field review of Best Management Practice systems for conformance with State Committee programs and report directly to the Assistant or Executive Director of the State Committee.
4. Professional Staff of Land Trust Organization - Responsible for all phases of land transaction activities including land planning, title work, conservation easement development, budget development and execution, base line documentation and site planning. Responsible for developing short and long range organizational goals and demonstrate familiarity with state and local programs to protect land and water resources through the execution of conservation easements and/or other techniques to protect important resources. Should have at least two years direct experience and have project management responsibilities.
5. Cooperative Extension Agent (Agriculture) - Cornell Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents offer research-based resources and education to the farming community and the general public. Agents help farms to remain viable and profitable businesses by providing comprehensive, research-based information in animal and natural resource husbandry, business planning and marketing, diversified farm products, and technical and financial support opportunities. Agricultural Extension Agents connect clients with Cornell University faculty, Extension experts, and with other community agencies that also can provide information and support.
6. Regional Planning Commission and County Planning Office - Responsible for land use planning, including zoning techniques, comprehensive plan development and/or assistance in the development of local and county regional studies including town and county agricultural and farmland protection plans. Participates in the identification and implementation of local or regional economic development initiatives including the implementation of agricultural economic development projects developed locally or regionally. Possesses experience and knowledge of state Agricultural districts program; familiar with the development and/or review of annual and eight years Agricultural District submissions to NYSDAM.

IMPORTANT: Unless waived, you must pay the non-refundable processing fee. For information on fee waivers, visit https://www.cs.ny.gov/examannouncements/types/oc/appinfo.cfm##Fee. It is important that you verify that you entered the correct examination number and title on your online or paper application prior to submitting. If you apply online, you should immediately review your email confirmation notice to verify that you applied for the correct examination. If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT received by the Department of Civil Service. No late applications will be accepted after the filing deadline has passed.

Notes

1. Your degree must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or educational institution or one recognized by the NYS Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. If your degree or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to the Examination Information Desk of the NYS Department of Civil Service for a list of acceptable companies who provide this service. This information can also be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee. If you are applying on the Internet, you must mail the independent verification of equivalency to the New York State Department of Civil Service, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S1VXR.
2. You may file for these examinations by completing one NYS-APP application form or applying on the Internet. Unless you are eligible for a fee waiver, the indicated processing fee must be submitted for each examination listed on your application.
3. As these positions require regular travel within the region to which assigned, appointees must either possess at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter, a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State or otherwise demonstrate their capacity to meet their regular transportation requirements in carrying out their field work responsibilities.
4. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
5. New York State residence is not required.

The Positions

These positions exist in the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

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Duties

As a Senior Environmental Analyst (Agriculture), you would assist in the administration and management of the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Program, including review and analyze proposed land use projects involving farm operations and resources; analyze project impact statements, maps, reports, and other information; review land use regulation laws and ordinances; examine records and requests to verify if property is located within an agricultural district; ensure information is received from farm land owners before reviews; assist in the administration and management of the Agricultural Environmental Management, Agricultural Non-Point Source Abatement and Control Program, Climate Resilient Farming Program and State Aid to Districts and Reporting, including conducting field reviews of Best Management Practice Systems for conformance with program rules, coordinating data management and reporting, and reviewing plans of work for contract development; as a member of a team, review of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans and coordinate the AEM Planner Certification Program.

As an Associate Environmental Analyst (Agriculture), you may review highly complex land use cases like major state highway projects, multi-county gas and electric transmission line cases which may adversely affect agricultural resources and farm management activities without modification or mitigative action; or review existing and draft local laws and Sound Agricultural Practice requests to determine whether existing and draft local laws and agricultural practices are reasonable. You may provide administrative oversight, technical assistance, and training to county Soil and Water Conservation Districts in designing, implementing, and maintaining soil and water conservation programs and projects within an assigned region, including coordinating district activities and programs in your assigned region to ensure optimum use of regional conservation and state/federal fiscal resources and in order to meet changing programmatic needs, priorities, and mandates. You may serve in the capacity of program manager for Agricultural and Farmland Protection related programs or Soil and Water related programs, including the development of grant applications, management of contracts, review of payments and program milestone tracking.

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Subject of Examination

There will be no written test. The test will consist of an evaluation of your training and experience. When you apply, you must provide complete information to show that you meet the minimum qualifications. Do NOT send resumes. If you apply using the NYS-APP form and you need more space, attach additional 8��" x 11" sheets following the same format used on the application form. Additional unsolicited information will not be accepted after the last date for filing.

If you meet the Minimum Qualifications you will be sent a supplemental questionnaire to complete and return. The questionnaire will be used to evaluate your training and experience against the general background/critical activities of the position. This questionnaire will be the only basis for rating your training and experience.

Your final score must be 70 or higher in order to pass. Rank on the eligible list will be determined after adding any wartime veterans' and Civil Service Law Section 85-a credits to your final passing score.

Important: The Department of Civil Service and other state agencies may communicate with you through email correspondence. This may include the notification of your examination results and canvassing you for interest in appointment. It will be important for you to keep your e-mail address, phone number and mailing address current by logging into https://www.cs.ny.gov/home/myaccount.

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How To Apply

If you do not receive a number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT processed.

Additional Information

New York State is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the State of New York to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without 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, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

Appointment to many positions in State government require candidates to undergo an investigative screening. This may include a thorough character investigation, a Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Record History Check, a Child Abuse Registry clearance, or other similar procedures. Candidates may be fingerprinted and may be required to pay any necessary fees for that procedure. Depending on the nature of the job, the criminal convictions discovered, or any falsified or omitted information revealed, the investigative findings may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment.

Eligibility for Employment

You must be legally eligible to work in the United States at the time of appointment and throughout your employment with New York State. If appointed, you must produce documents that establish your identity and eligibility to work in the United States, as required by the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and the Immigration and Nationality Act.

S1/VXR-dah
Issued: 2/24/2017

This announcement is subject to amendment or cancellation without notice. Do not copy it, or post it to any other site, but link to it instead.

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