Deputy Commissioner for Environmental Stewardship

Date Posted:

04/22/26

Applications Due:

05/13/26

Vacancy ID:

214590 Position Information NY HELPNo AgencyParks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Office of TitleDeputy Commissioner for Environmental Stewardship Occupational CategoryAdministrative or General Management Salary GradeNS Bargaining UnitM/C

• Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented) Salary RangeFrom $156757 to $197170 Annually Employment TypeFull-Time Appointment TypePermanent Jurisdictional ClassExempt Class Travel Percentage15% Schedule WorkweekMon-Fri Hours Per Week37.

5 Workday From9 AM To5 PM Flextime allowed?

No Mandatory overtime?

No Compressed workweek allowed?

No Telecommuting allowed?

Yes Location CountyAlbany Street Address625 Broadway CityAlbany StateNY Zip Code12238 Job Specifics Duties DescriptionUnder the direction of the Executive Deputy Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner for Environmental Stewardship serves as the senior executive responsible for strategic leadership, coordination and performance of the following program areas: Environmental Stewardship, Open Space Protection, Environmental Planning and Analysis, Environmental Sustainability, and Real Property Services. The role requires a dynamic leader capable of managing a large multidisciplinary workforce and significant public engagement while advancing the agency's mission of stewardship, recreation, education and historic preservation. The Deputy Commissioner for Environmental Stewardship ensures that the environmental stewardship program aligns with statewide policy and organizational priorities while fostering a culture that balances responsible recreation with the needs of the natural environment. The duties of the Deputy Commissioner for Environmental Stewardship include but are not limited to:

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Division of Environmental Stewardship and Planning, which consists of the Environmental Stewardship Bureau, Planning and Analysis Bureau, GIS and Data Bureau, and Real Property Bureau.
• Ensure consistent operational standards across Environmental Stewardship Districts while allowing flexibility to address regional needs and environmental conditions.
• Confer with executive-level managers to define environmental stewardship projects, initiatives, and long-term goals and objectives. Provide guidance to agency executive leadership team regarding functions and processes.
• Provide supervision and mentoring to Albany Office based bureau and program managers as well as Environmental Stewardship District managers, ensuring consistency and coordination between park regions, divisions, and bureaus, and communicating executive directives, priorities, preferences, and approach.

Promote an atmosphere of inclusiveness and respect, professional motivation and continuous learning.

• Conducts regular reviews of performance for both Albany Office-based staff as well as staff assigned to Environmental Stewardship Districts, identifying areas for improvement, efficiency gains and service enhancements.
• Apply high level programmatic knowledge in addressing novel, sensitive, and high-profile or critical issues.
• Set policies, standards, and procedures; provide input on overall agency policies and procedures, as needed.
• Evaluate activities and functions for effectiveness and efficiency; realign or redeploy resources as appropriate; recommend and/or implement procedural or process improvements, as necessary.
• Oversee the preparation of periodic progress reports, metrics, and status of ongoing projects for Executive staff. Participate in regular meetings with other Deputies and/or executive-level staff.
• Represent OPRHP with internal and external stakeholders.
• Form and maintain collaborative relationships with other governmental and non-governmental entities or stakeholders, such as Executive Chamber staff, Department of Environmental Conservation, the Open Space Institute, etc.
• Work with executive leadership team and other agency staff to assist in developing the agency's Annual Budget Request.
• Assist the Commissioner, Executive Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, and other staff in developing, preparing, and coordinating internal and external communications, metrics, reports, or other projects, as directed. Minimum QualificationsThirteen years of relevant experience. At least four years of this experience must have included the management and supervision of subordinate staff
• . Education may be substituted for experience:
• Associate degree may substitute for two years of specialized experience;
• Bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of specialized experience;
• Master's degree may substitute for five years of specialized experience;
• J.D. may substitute for six years of specialized experience;
• Ph.D. may substitute for seven years of specialized experience
• The four years of experience must have been at the managerial level and cannot be substituted.

Preferred Qualifications:

Senior leadership experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Environmental sustainability management
• Open space protection management
• Environmental planning and analysis management
• Natural resource management
• State or municipal government operations
• Environmental or conservation program management Experience managing a multi-disciplinary team of environmental professionals with responsibility for fostering environmental stewardship spanning a large geographic area is strongly preferred.

Additional CommentsSalary within the posted range will be commensurate with experience. This is an appointment to a position in the exempt jurisdictional class. All exempt appointments require completion of a background check prior to appointment, and completion of an annual Financial Disclosure Statement. Incumbents serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority, and the employment relationship can be altered at any time by either party. The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation offers a generous benefits package that includes but is not limited to:

Paid Time Off:

M/C:

39 days

• 13 Vacation days, 8 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays.

M/C:

Eligible for professional leave to participate in professional development, but at the supervisor's discretion.

Health Care Benefits:

• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.

Additional Benefits:

• New York State Employees' Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Paid Parental / Family Leave To learn more about our benefits, visit: ://parks.

ny/employment/benefits.aspx Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity. How to Apply NameHuman Resources Bureau Telephone Fax Email AddressExecRecruitment@parks.ny Address Street625 Broadway CityAlbany StateNY Zip Code12238 Notes on ApplyingAll candidates must submit a written resume and cover letter which clearly demonstrates how they meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Please submit your resume and cover letter as a Word or PDF attachment. We are unable to open documents from Google Docs, Google Drive, OneDrive, Apple Pages, and/or "the cloud." Your application must be received by May 13, 2026, and may be submitted via email to ExecRecruitment@parks.ny. Please include "Deputy Commissioner for Environmental Stewardship" in the subject line of your email. It is the responsibility of each applicant to accurately describe their experience and demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities and workplace diversity. New York State (NYS) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, carrier status, gender identity or prior conviction records, or prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications or sealed records unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception. Executive Order 31 commits New York State government to becoming a model employer for people with disabilities, increasing the participation of people with disabilities in state service and ensuring equal access to opportunities. OPRHP encourages people with disabilities to apply. If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Equal Opportunity Unit at ReasonableAccommodation@parks.ny or (518) 486-7754.