Benefits for Full-Time, Permanent Employees:
Vacation, Holiday, Sick, And Personal Leave
Generous leave benefits include 13 days of paid vacation leave in the first year of employment with bonus days for additional years of service; 12 days annual paid holidays; five days annual paid personal leave; and 13 days of annual paid sick leave (8 days for M/C employees).
Health Care Coverage
A choice of quality health insurance plans is available at an affordable, low premium cost to all employees and their families through enrollment in the Empire Plan or a variety of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).
Retirement Plan
Full-time employees are offered a superior plan that provides secure retirement income with vesting after 10 years of service.
Payroll Deduction Savings Plans
A variety of savings plans are available through payroll deduction, including the Deferred Compensation plan, the U.S. Savings Bonds Payroll Savings plan, and New York's College Savings Program.
New York State Flex Spending Account (FSA)
The FSA account offers two opportunities for pre tax savings: the Dependent Care Advantage Account and the Health Care Spending Account.
Tuition Assistance Programs
A variety of tuition voucher and reimbursement opportunities are offered through negotiated agreements with employee unions.
Life Insurance And Disability Insurance
Certain employees may purchase a group term life insurance policy. Additionally, employees who participate in the Income Protection Plan are covered for short term and long term disability benefits.
Employee Assitance Program (EAP)
The EAP is an assessment and referral service that can connect employees with local service providers and support services to help them address their personal needs.
Employee Wellness Program (EWP)
The EWP offers all state employees various lunchtime activities, including yoga, exercise, meditation, CPR training and stress management seminars.
Benefits for Seasonal/Hourly Employees:
There are various benefits to which you may be entitled as a seasonal employee. Among them are:
NYS Employees' Retirement System Membership
As an hourly employee, you have the option of joining the NYS Employees' Retirement System. Should you join, you will be required to contribute from your wages to that system and a deduction will be taken from your paycheck.
Social Security Coverage
All seasonal employees will have social security deductions taken from their paycheck.
Health Insurance Coverage
If your employment is for more than 6 months, or if you are expected to work year round in an hourly position you should discuss, with your hiring manager, eligibility for health insurance.
Workers Compensation Coverage
All seasonal employees are covered by the NYS workers compensation statutory provisions.
Other Benefits
There are various other benefits to which you may be entitled as a seasonal employee. Among them are:
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The EAP is an assessment and referral service that can connect employees with local service providers and support services to help them address their personal needs.
Tuition Assistance Programs
A variety of tuition voucher and reimbursement opportunities are offered through negotiated agreements with employee unions.
Employee Recognition Program
State Parks recognizes and expresses gratitude for extra effort, great work, and accomplishments.
The AFSCME Free College Benefit
Positions in State Parks (as well as most NYS Agencies) are for the most part represented by collective bargaining units, and their associated employee organization's unions.
Many of the unions which represent State Parks employees are part of parent organizations one of which is the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
AFSCME offers a Free College Benefit, with which you and your family members can earn an associate degree online from a public, accredited community college with no out of pocket costs to you.
This can save you thousands of dollars.
The free college benefit covers any amount for tuition, fees or books not covered by federal or employer education grants.