Review Vacancy
AgencyParks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Office of
TitleCommunications Technician (NYS HELPS)
Occupational CategoryNo Preference
Bargaining UnitOSU - Operational Services Unit (CSEA)
Salary RangeFrom $45081 to $55322 Annually
Duties Description Under the direction of a higher level supervisor, the incumbent of the Communications Technician 1, SG-10, position will perform the following duties:
• Receive and transmit police messages via radio, telephone, and eJustice portal.
• Maintain logs, records and written documents required by the Division of Law Enforcement.
• Maintain professional and composed verbal communication with outside police agencies and the public; maintaining sound customer service practices and meeting the needs of the Agency under sometimes stressful conditions is essential.
• The incumbent of this position operates an extensive array of law enforcement and emergency related communications equipment as well as computer software.
• Prioritize all radio and telephone communications. Answer multiple telephone lines. Receive emergency and non-emergency calls for law enforcement and dispatch patrols to respond.
• Make urgent and important decisions regarding emergency situations based on knowledge, skills, policies and procedures.
• Perform administrative duties such as data entry and retrieval, information filing and record keeping.
• Comply with all Federal, State and Local regulations relative to communications and protected data and information.
• Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications NYS Civil Service Eligible List
There is no current civil service eligible list for this title.
NY HELPS and 55-b/c Qualifications:
The Communications Technician 1, SG-10, is a part of the New York State Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program *NY HELPS. To be considered for appointment through the NY HELPS or 55-b/c progams, candidates must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications for this title. The qualifications are:
• Candidates must be a high school graduate or have a high school equivalency diploma and one year of experience as a dispatcher in an emergency service organization – see below for Qualifying and Non-Qualifying Experience.
• Candidates must pass a physical and medical evaluation including drug test and psychological evaluation to determine fitness to perform the essential duties of the position.
• A complete statement of the physical/medical standards is available at:
https://www.cs.ny.gov/ehs/standards/EHS%20PM-46.pdf
Examples of Qualifying Experience: police, fire and emergency medical dispatching (civilian or military) experience is acceptable.
Examples of Non-Qualifying Experience: using paging systems, cellular phones, intercoms, or CB radios. Experience limited to that of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is not qualifying.
If you are a veteran or an individual with a disability and would like to apply for the Department of Service Service 55-b/c Program, please visit: https://www.cs.ny.gov/rp55
NYS HELPS Program
For the duration of the NYS HELPS program, this title may be filled via a permanent non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competititve employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanent in a NY HELPS title, employess may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Employees appointed via the NY HELPS program are restricted to promotional appointment until their position is covered into the competitive class by the New York State Civil Service Commission (CSC), or they otherwise obtain permanent competitive status. The CSC covered-in employees who were appointed via NY HELPS on a permanent or contingent permanent basis between June 26, 2024 and July 11, 2025. You may wish to apply if you received a permanent NYS HELPS appointment to a qualifying title within these timeframes and are interested in this opportunity. Your eligibility for promotion will be reviewed by Human Resources employees. Permanent or contingent permanent NY HELPS appointments occurring effective June 26, 2025 or later will be addressed with a subsequent cover-in.
Subequent 55-b/c Appointments
A subsequent 55-b/c appointment may be considered if you hae at least one year of permanent or contingent permanent qualifying ervice and have a current Civil Service 55-b/c letter of eligibility.
Candidates may also be eligible for reassignment or reinstatement as follows:
Reassignment:
Current NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation employees only, with at least one year of permanent or contingent permanent service as a Communications Technician 1, SG-10.
Reinstatement:
Candidates who were previously permanently employed by New York State in this title may be reinstated to this position or to any position to which they were eligible to transfer. Employees separated fromtheir ositions may be reinstated within one year of the date of separation. Employees who have been separated from State service for more than one year may be reinstated upon approval of the New York State Civil Service Commision.
Additional Comments Operating Needs:
Candidate must successfully pass a background investigation.
Candidate must posses and maintain a valid driver’s license that allows the person to legally operate a motor vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment.
Candidate must have the physical ability to perform medium lifting.
BENEFITS:
Generous benefits package, worth approximately 65% of salary, including:
Paid Time Off:
• CSEA: 44 days - 13 Vacation days, 13 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays.
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 the benefits for permanent state employees, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/employment/benefits.aspx
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address employment@parks.ny.gov
Address
2nd Floor
Notes on ApplyingAll interested candidates must submit a resume and cover letter which clearly demonstrates how they meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Please submit your resume, cover letter and Employment Application as a Word or PDF attachment. We are unable to open documents from Google Docs, Google Drive, OneDrive, Apple Pages and/or “the cloud.” You can obtain an Employment Application from your local park office, your region’s administrative headquarters, or download an application from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website at: www.parks.ny.gov/employment.
Your application must be received by 1/22/2026 and submitted via email to employment@parks.ny.gov. You must include the Vacancy ID number and “Communications Technician 1 - Central Police Zone” in the subject line of your email. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for the position.
It is the responsibility of all candidates to accurately describe their experience and demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications. Failure to demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications and operating needs may result in your resume not being considered for this position.
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.gov or (518) 486-7754.