Office Manager & Assistant Curator

TRAILSIDE MUSEUMS & ZOO: Trailside is located along an original section of the Appalachian Trail. Founded in 1927, it is the first self-guided nature trail established to guide visitors in learning about local ecology, geology and history. Trailside began with an innovative founding vision: “the best way to learn about nature is to be in nature and the best way to enjoy nature is to have a friendly, knowledgeable voice as your guide”. To this day, little signs along the trail tell local natural history stories. For nearly 100 years, Trailside has been led by scientist directors and a small staff caring for non-releasable native wildlife and the landscape, museums, visitors and programming. Trailside continues to evolve in exhibit expansion and animal policy, plant communities and philosophy. https://www.trailsidemuseumsandzoo.org/

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This a hybrid position, under the supervision of the Trailside Director, with both office and curatorial duties at Trailside Museums and Zoo in Bear Mountain State Park. Office management includes payroll, hiring and human resource responsibilities; purchasing and budget management; public donations and fundraising; social media and other outreach; responding to public inquiries; administrative and program support to four volunteer groups and partners, Trailside’s environmental education program, Park’s natural resource conservation program and our satellite facilities of Harriman Regional Nature Museums and Rockland Lake Nature Center. Curatorial duties include assisting with development and production of museum exhibits, displays, and signs; care and maintenance of existing native plant gardens and continued restoration of Trailside’s grounds through coordination of garden volunteers and partner organizations. The selected candidate will also assist in miscellaneous tasks including interpretation along the trail and at special events, general maintenance, helping with crowd control, and opening and closing procedures, as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Qualified candidates must possess a BA/BS or higher degree from an accredited college or university. They must demonstrate the ability to manage multiple office tasks, communicate well and work effectively with staff, volunteers and the public. They need to bring a willingness to manage Trailside’s website, Facebook and other outreach materials, recruit and manage volunteers, and have an interest in local ecology and history. They must possess good writing and computer skills, a high level of self-motivation and ability to work independently. They must be physically able to perform light to medium physical labor. Graphic design skills and demonstrated interest and knowledge base in environmental science, and/or environmental education would be viewed favorably. Must possess a valid driver’s license for operation of state vehicles.

SCHEDULE: Work schedule is 40 hours per week. Trailside is open seven days per week, and candidate must be available to work on weekends and holidays. Schedule subject to change due to the needs of the site’s operations.

START DATE: expected start in May

How to apply:

Complete a NY State OPRHP Employment Application, available online at https://parks.ny.gov/documents/employment/FillableUpdatedParksEmployeeApplicationS1000Part1.pdf
or in all park offices.

Submit electronically along with your resume and cover letter, including three work references, to Dr. Edwin McGowan, Director of Trailside Museums and Zoo and Science, edwin.mcgowan@parks.ny.gov or by mail to PO Box 427, Bear Mountain, NY 10911.

“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 his or her 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 Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.”
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Trailside is a smoke & drug free workplace.

Posting Date: 4/8/22 Application Deadline: 4/23/22