Human Dimensions Specialist (Natural Resource Program Specialist 2)

Salary: $66,250.00 - $100,636.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CSSC-2025-21275-54910
Department: Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
Division: CN Rural and Cmy Forstry
Opening Date: 03/24/2025
Closing Date: 4/6/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 54910
Position Number: 50699451
Union: Non-Union
Bargaining Unit: B3
Pay Group: ST08
Bureau / Division Code: 00388185
Bureau / Division: Rural and Community Forestry Section
Worksite Address: 400 Market Street
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17105
Contact Name: OA, CE Section Intake Division
Contact Email: RA-OACEINTAKESEC@pa.gov

THE POSITION

If you have a profound love for our local forests and a strong commitment to engage and motivate people towards sustainability, we have an incredible opportunity for you! The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Rural and Community Forestry Section, is seeking a Human Dimensions Specialist (Natural Resource Program Specialist 2) to complete our team. The mission of this section is to provide leadership and support for sustaining, restoring, and conserving productive forest ecosystems; valuing the economic, ecological, and social benefits of trees; enhancing rural, urban, and agricultural landscapes with trees; as well as supporting community livability.

Human Dimensions is "... an area of investigation which attempts to describe, predict, understand, and affect human thought and action toward natural environments and to acquire such understanding for the primary purpose of improving stewardship of natural resources. Human Dimensions research builds on concepts and theories from several disciplines including sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology, geography, political science, marketing, and education." - (Source: University of Delaware Sea Grant)

Apply today to start a rewarding chapter in your career, ensuring the long-term health, viability, and productivity of the Commonwealth's forests!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK

In the role of a Human Dimensions Specialist, you will use your expertise in social science and human dimensions to further the goals of the Bureau's Rural & Community Forestry (RCF) Section, which focuses on forestry, tree canopy, and restoration on private forests and in communities. This position assists the RCF section with understanding peoples' values and how people make decisions about natural resources and their management (in both rural and urban settings). You will have the opportunity to help program areas make the necessary connections and communications that will best motivate people towards appropriate and sustainable actions related to the natural resources under their care or in their communities.

Turn your love for the outdoors into a rewarding career!
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 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Occasional travel and overtime is required to work with partners and field staff.
• AWS (alternate work schedule) may be available.
• 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.
• 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.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience as a Natural Resource Program Specialist 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of professional experience in natural resource management or natural resource education; and a bachelor's degree in natural resource management, parks and recreation, education, biology, forestry, ecology, geosciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

• This particular position also requires possession of a valid Class C non-commercial driver's license.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

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.

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.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

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.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• 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.

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Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.
01

Selective Certification - Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?

• Yes
• No

02

Selective Certification - If you answered yes, please provide your driver's license number and expiration date. If you answered no, type N/A in the text box below.
03

Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Natural Resource Program Specialist 1 (Natural Resource Specialist) for one or more years full-time?

• Yes
• No

04

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05

How many years of full-time professional experience do you possess in natural resource management?

• 3 years or more
• 2 but less than 3 years
• 1 but less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• None

06

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
07

How many years of full-time professional experience do you possess in natural resource education?

• 3 years or more
• 2 but less than 3 years
• 1 but less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• None

08

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
09

How much graduate coursework have you completed in natural resource management, parks and recreation, education, biology, forestry, ecology, geosciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related field?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit and click on Other Information.

• 30 credits or more
• 15 but less than 30 credits
• Less than 15 credits
• None

10

INSTRUCTIONS: You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application, or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each work behavior carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.
If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

11

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - PRESENTATIONS AND TRAININGS
Plans, develops, and facilitates formal presentations and trainings at workshops, seminars, in-service programs, and college courses designed to instruct teachers/educators, pre-service educators, and internal staff on the necessary information, methods, and techniques for facilitating environmental education and communications related to forest resources.Plans - Coordinates with partners to identify audience needs/learning objectives, determines the delivery method (in person, hybrid, online), and chooses the length and location of the presentation/training.Develops - Conducts the research, creates the activities, and compiles teaching aids and instructional materials.Facilitates - Actively leads and delivers the presentation/training.
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience planning, developing, AND facilitating presentations or trainings on the content, methods, and techniques for facilitating education and interpretation of environmental education topics.
• B. I have experience planning, developing, AND facilitating presentations or trainings on the content, methods, and techniques for facilitating education and interpretation of topics other than environmental education.
• C. I have experience planning OR developing presentations or trainings related to any topic.
• D. I have experience facilitating presentations or trainings related to ANY TOPIC. Someone else was responsible for planning or developing the presentations or trainings I facilitated.
• E. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to training development or education.
• F. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

12

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed on this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you claimed you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience

Your experience planning, developing, and/or facilitating presentations/trainings

The topic(s) of the presentations/trainings

Your specific duties and level of responsibility

13

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

College/University

Course Title

Credits/Clock Hours

14

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Develops narrative reports by researching and writing content to keep coworkers and management informed of the status of forest conservation programs or projects (e.g., Project Learning Tree, Outdoor Recreation Programming, Conservation Landscape Initiatives, forest ecology, ecosystems management, forest management, native plant conservation, etc.). Develops environmental education lesson plans and instructional materials that supplement the program/project activities. Writes and edits text for accompanying educational and promotional print and media materials working with a graphic designer to create the finished product. Ensures all materials are suitable and available to the diverse groups being educated. Developing - Authoring materials by researching and writing content.Instructional Materials - Materials used to accompany the lesson plans (i.e., student worksheets, flashcards, displays, content for a PowerPoint presentation, etc.) to help reach the desired learning objective.
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience developing narrative reports and lesson plans INCLUDING the instructional materials.
• B. have experience developing narrative reports and lesson plans. I have NOT developed instructional materials.
• C. I have experience developing narrative reports, lesson plans, OR instructional materials.
• D. I have experience researching content related to or drafting narrative reports, lesson plans, or instructional materials. Someone else was responsible for the final document.
• E. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to report writing, business writing, or journalism.
• F. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

15

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed on this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you claimed you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience

Your experience developing narrative reports

Your experience developing lesson plans and/or instructional materials

Your specific duties and level of responsibility

16

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

College/University

Course Title

Credits/Clock Hours

17

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - COLLABORATION
Initiates, builds, and maintains collaborative working relationships with partners such as federal, state, and local municipal planning commissions; conservation districts; advocacy groups; non-profits; and the public to secure continued support for successful program development, implementation, and interpretation. Serves as a liaison to environmental and conservation groups, government agencies, and the community by responding to requests for information or guidance, aiding in training and program development, and coordinating events.
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience initiating and building external or internal collaborative working relationships related to forest resource programs.
• B. I have experience initiating and building external or internal collaborative working relationships related to natural resource programs other than forest programs.
• C. I have experience collaborating with others regarding natural resource programs by requesting or sharing information or ideas.
• D. I have experience collaborating with others by requesting or sharing information or ideas related to any topic.
• E. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to public relations or communications.
• F. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

18

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed on this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you claimed you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience

Your experience initiating and/or building collaborative working relationships

With whom you have experience initiating and/or building collaborative working relationships

Your experience collaborating with others by requesting and/or sharing information/ideas

Your specific duties and level of responsibility

19

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

College/University

Course Title

Credits/Clock Hours

20

WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - PROGRAM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Strategically plans, develops, and recommends program goals, objectives, and priorities. Strategically plans, develops, implements, and evaluates statewide natural resource educational programs and projects within the agency (i.e., Project Learning Tree, Outdoor Recreation Programming, Conservation Landscape Initiatives, forest ecology, ecosystems management, forest management, native plant conservation, etc.).
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience strategically planning and developing the goals, objectives, or priorities of an environmental education program or project.
• B. I have experience strategically planning and developing the goals, objectives, or priorities of an educational program or project.
• C. I have experience strategically planning and developing the goals, objectives, or priorities of any program or project not designed for educational purposes.
• D. I have experience implementing or evaluating any program or project that someone else had planned and developed.
• E. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to project planning or program evaluation.
• F. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

21

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed on this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you claimed you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience

Your experience planning, developing, implementing, and/or evaluating a program/project

The type(s) of programs/projects you have experience with

Your specific duties and level of responsibility

22

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

College/University

Course Title

Credits/Clock Hours

Required Question