LWCF Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program Specialist (Recreation and Conservation Program Specialist)

Join a team dedicated to preserving Pennsylvania's beloved outdoor areas. Working with the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation's federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program, you will assist communities in obtaining funding to develop and improve parks, trails, and natural spaces, ensuring these resources remain vibrant for future generations. If you are passionate about public service, enjoy collaborating with local organizations, and want to contribute to the protection of recreation and conservation initiatives throughout the Commonwealth, this role offers an opportunity to make a significant difference in the places where people enjoy nature and connect with one another.

In this position, you play a vital role in supporting the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation within the Community Parks and Conservation Division, specifically in the Land Conservation, Project Monitoring, and Stewardship Section. Your primary focus is to assist municipalities in Pennsylvania that are looking for financial aid for outdoor recreation, land acquisition, and park development projects by helping them navigate grant requirements and program expectations. A key aspect of your job is to ensure that over 1,600 funded projects across the state remain compliant in the long term. This involves monitoring the obligations of grantees to maintain lands that have been acquired or developed with state and federal funds for public recreation and conservation purposes indefinitely. You help protect these investments by ensuring proper stewardship, resolving compliance issues, and supporting municipalities in fulfilling their ongoing responsibilities.

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 a 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. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience as a Recreation and Conservation Advisor 2 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); 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 Guidelines.
• 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 may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

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.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

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.

• 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.