Human Dimensions Specialist (Natural Resource Program Specialist 2)

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources invites you to become a Human Dimensions Specialist who helps people connect with the importance of forest programs. This role gives you a chance to support meaningful conservation work that reaches communities across Pennsylvania. You will help shape how forest initiatives are understood and appreciated by many different audiences. This is your opportunity to make a positive impact every day.

Join the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as a Human Dimensions Specialist and help strengthen the connection between people and forest stewardship. This position lets you support programs that make a real difference in communities across the state. You will help share important messages, build partnerships, and guide communication efforts. This is a rewarding way to support conservation and public engagement.

This position supports key communication, partnership, and program development efforts that help advance Rural and Community Forestry initiatives across Pennsylvania. The role focuses on outreach, stakeholder engagement, and human dimensions research to strengthen program impact. As a Human Dimensions Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Audience Analysis: Study target groups and identify effective talking points for program messaging
• Stakeholder Engagement: Enhance collaboration with partners and support communication with diverse audiences
• Program Support: Assist in planning trainings and developing guidance to integrate social science into program work
• Communication Materials: Prepare brochures, reports, and informational pieces that highlight annual accomplishments
• Partnership Building: Create and strengthen relationships with agencies and organizations to support program goals
• Grant Management: Help manage federal and state grant programs that fund human dimensions efforts

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.
• This position may be eligible for Alternate Work Schedule (AWS).
• This position may require travel as needed.
• 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. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• 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.

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 Guidelines.
• 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.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

• 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.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

• 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.