Environmental Specialist 1/ Trainee 1/ Trainee 2 (NYHELPS)

at  Transportation Department of

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 candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum
qualifications for this position, which are:
Environmental Specialist Trainee 1:
A bachelor’s degree including or supplemented by 30 semester credit hours in acoustics, air pollution, American
architectural history, animal behavior, anthropology, aquatic resources, archeology, architectural history,
atmospheric science, biology, botany, chemical engineering, chemistry, coastal resources management, cultural
resource management, cultural resources and historic preservation studies, dendrology, ecology, ecosystem
management, environmental and community land planning, environmental and natural resources conservation,
environmental biology, environmental engineering, environmental health, environmental law, environmental
management, environmental planning, environmental preservation law, environmental resource engineering,
environmental science, environmental studies, environmental toxicology, forest biology, forestry, forest science,
geographic information systems, geography, geological engineering, global/natural environment, historic
preservation, historic preservation law, historic preservation planning, public archaeology, hydrology, landscape
architecture, land use planning, meteorology, Native American studies, natural resources, natural resources
management, natural resources planning, silviculture, soils, transportation systems, urban forestry, wildlife
biology, or zoology.
NOTE: As an Environmental Specialist Trainee 1, you will serve a 24-month traineeship that leads to
Environmental Specialist 1, Grade 18.
Advanced Placement:
At the agency’s discretion, you may be appointed to a higher level. You must inform the agency of any additional
qualifications at your interview.
For the Environmental Specialist Trainee 2: you must also have, either:
1. One year of professional environmental analysis experience; OR
2. A master’s degree including or supplemented by 30 semester credit hours in acoustics, air pollution, American
architectural history, animal behavior, anthropology, aquatic resources, archeology, architectural history,
atmospheric science, biology, botany, chemical engineering, chemistry, coastal resources management, cultural
resource management, cultural resources and historic preservation studies, dendrology, ecology, ecosystem
management, environmental and community land planning, environmental and natural resources conservation,
environmental biology, environmental engineering, environmental health, environmental law, environmental
management, environmental planning, environmental preservation law, environmental resource engineering,
environmental science, environmental studies, environmental toxicology, forest biology, forestry, forest science,
geographic information systems, geography, geological engineering, global/natural environment, historic
preservation, historic preservation law, historic preservation planning, public archaeology, hydrology, landscape
architecture, land use planning, meteorology, Native American studies, natural resources, natural resources
management, natural resources planning, silviculture, soils, transportation systems, urban forestry, wildlife
biology, or zoology.
For the Full Performance level: you must also have, either:
1. Two years of professional environmental analysis experience; OR
2. A master’s degree in or supplemented by 30 semester credit hours in acoustics, air pollution, American
architectural history, animal behavior, anthropology, aquatic resources, archeology, architectural history,
atmospheric science, biology, botany, chemical engineering, chemistry, coastal resources management, cultural
resource management, cultural resources and historic preservation studies, dendrology, ecology, ecosystem
management, environmental and community land planning, environmental and natural resources conservation,
environmental biology, environmental engineering, environmental health, environmental law, environmental
management, environmental planning, environmental preservation law, environmental resource engineering,
environmental science, environmental studies, environmental toxicology, forest biology, forestry, forest science,
geographic information systems, geography, geological engineering, global/natural environment, historic
preservation, historic preservation law, historic preservation planning, public archaeology, hydrology, landscape
architecture, land use planning, meteorology, Native American studies, natural resources, natural resources
management, natural resources planning, silviculture, soils, transportation systems, urban forestry, wildlife

biology, or zoology AND one year of professional environmental analysis experience*

• Environmental analysis experience which must include substantial involvement (at least 50% of your time) in the

preparation and review of environmental impact analyses, requiring knowledge and application of state and
federal environmental laws, regulations, methods, procedures, and standards. This must also include preparation
of technical analyses on environmental impact matters, providing consultation on environmental impact laws,
rules, and regulations or conducting office evaluations and field investigations related to environmental
regulatory programs.
Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if reachable from the appropriate
Civil Service eligible list or eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law

Under the direction of a higher-level supervisor/manager, the candidate will perform environmental related duties
in the Landscape Architecture/Environmental group in support for design of highways and bridges for delivery of
the capital program.
Duties may include, but are not limited to: technical analysis, research, and training related to the interaction of
the State’s environment and the State’s transportation network and transportation projects on both a state and
local level; analyze and assess various environmental concerns, including those for both natural resources and
historic and archaeological resources, as well as for asbestos, hazardous/contaminated material, noise and air
quality; write reports; make recommendations; ensure compliance with NEPA and SEQR determinations, develop
policy and procedures for a variety of environmental issues; provide technical expertise on environmental
matters to other staff; and coordinate with other federal, state and local agencies to obtain environmental permits
and approvals
Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the
department’s response to regional and statewide emergency situations.