Job Title: Endangered Species Steward 

Position Location: NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)  

Long Island Region 

Employment Period:  Summer 2026 (April-August) 

Closing Date: 4/1/26  

Average hours per week: 40 

Salary: $18.74-21.06 depending on location. 

Total Positions Available: Twenty-Three (23) Varies depending on the park. 

Position Overview: An Endangered Species Steward has three main responsibilities: 

• Monitoring and data collection of the endangered species’ nesting activities and reproductive success  
• Installing and maintaining the protection measures as delineated by USFWS guidelines 
• Public education and outreach to help beach patrons understand the reasons for the protection measures 

1) Caumsett Position Description: Two (2) positions available. Spend the summer on the beautiful grounds of Caumsett. Candidate will participate in a variety of natural resource projects including invasive plant eradication and native grassland habitat restoration and environmental education.   

2) Sunken Meadow Position Description: Two (2) positions are available for individuals at Sunken Meadow State Park in King’s Park, NY.  Spend the summer along the Long Island Sound. The primary responsibility is the monitoring and protection of the endangered piping plover and least terns. Other duties include bluebird nest box monitoring, invasive plant control and assisting with environmental education programs.        

3) Jones Beach Position Description: Eleven (11) positions. Work along the Atlantic Ocean at Jones Beach, site of one of the largest populations of nesting piping plovers in Long Island’s State Parks. Candidate is also responsible for monitoring other listed shorebirds, such as Least and Common terns.  

4) Orient Beach State Park: Two (2) positions. Spend your summer along the beaches of Gardiner’s Bay on the north fork of LI. The primary responsibility is the monitoring and protection of the endangered piping plover and least terns. The position also includes invasive plant control and assisting with environmental education programs.        

5) Montauk State Park Complex: Two (2) positions. Located on the south fork of Long Island, there are several Parks within the Montauk complexes that have nesting endangered shorebirds. The candidate’s responsibility would be assisting the on-site steward with their monitoring and protection. The position also includes invasive plant control and assisting with environmental education programs. 

6) Robert Moses State Park: Four (4) positions. Work along the Atlantic Ocean at Robert Moses State Park, site of one of larger populations of nesting piping plovers in Long Island’s State Parks. Candidate is also responsible for monitoring other listed shorebirds, such as Least and Common terns.       

Position Requirements:  

All applicants must have interest (experience preferred) in natural resources and the outdoors. In addition, all applicants must exhibit effective oral and written communication skills, as the positions require working directly with park patrons, volunteers, and park staff. 

Valid driver’s license. Weekend work will be required, along with Memorial Day weekend and July 4th. All applicants must be in good physical health for field work. Must have binoculars in good working condition.  

All positions are provided with orientation and training. In addition, all seasonal staff may occasionally be involved with projects and programs for NYS Parks beyond the specific duties listed above. This extension of duties is intended to enhance the overall experience and appreciation for OPRHP’s agency mission.  

These positions do not offer housing.