Page 14 - Work Force May 2019

Spencer honored with Empire Star Public Service Award
NIAGARA FALLS — As a park environmental educator at New York
State Parks,
Recreation,
and Historic
Preservation
in the Erie
and Niagara
County regions,
CSEA member
Tina Spencer has gone above and beyond assisting patrons who want to experience all that nature has to offer.
Her effervescent passion for
her job and her ability to educate others has landed her the 2019
New York State Empire Star Public Service Award, which honors state employees who consistently exceed their job expectations.
The Empire Star Public Service Award not only recognizes individual contributions to building a better New York, but also supports
workers as they continue to
develop as professionals with a $5,000 professional development scholarship.
Spencer, along with 49 other state employees from numerous agencies,
were honored with the award, which was recently presented at an Albany ceremony.
“I love working in public service,” Spencer said. “I find it incredibly rewarding. I was shocked to hear I was nominated for this award, and even more surprised when I was notified I won. It’s a very humbling experience.”
Spencer, who began her public service career in 1997 as a seasonal parks worker and became a full-time worker in 2004, provides in-park and outreach programs to serve patrons in 18 Western New York state parks as well as local schools in the region. She can also be found at three seasonal nature centers, where she interacts with patrons who wish to experience the great outdoors.
Spencer’s work has given her many opportunities, including becoming a boater safety instructor through the state Marine Services Bureau and a certified interpretive guide through the National Association for Interpretation.
Her love of the outdoors and teaching also led her to become
a kayak instructor. She received
the Huttleston Award for Special Achievement in 2015 for her hard work and dedication in the creation
Spencer
Parks Educator Tina Spencer has created a kayak program that has become the gold standard for the state. In a photo taken last summer, Spencer, left, is teaching a kayaking class to adult patrons. Photo provided.
and continued advancement of a kayak program, which has become the gold standard for the state. However, kayaking is but a small portion of what she does and what she is being recognized for.
For several years, she has been invited to be the keynote speaker to an annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Conference at a local middle school as a representative of both NYS Parks and as a woman employed
in a STEM field. Spencer delivers presentations to eager students about her role as an educator and how they can make a difference in the future by pursuing a career in STEM-related fields.
As one of our region’s best nature
educators, Spencer’s presence is in high demand. She often visits public and private school classrooms and schedules classes in urban, suburban and rural communities. The breadth and scope of her teaching methods range from environmental, historical to recreational.
Spencer also helps train staff around the region in First Aid, CPR, and AED. She is also a top-notch Kayak Train-the-Trainer Instructor, certified by the American Canoe Association. Her wide range
of specialties truly reflect the commitment to make New York, and Parks in particular, a better place to live, work and play.
— Ove Overmyer
ATTENTION: CSEA/VOICE 100A Members Important Election Information
2019 is an election year for VOICE 100A. CSEA/VOICE 100A members are eligible to hold CSEA office. VOICE
100A is divided into 25 geographical chapters, in which each chapter shall elect a Chapter Representative.
Candidate applications were due the end of February.
There are races in six Chapters. Election ballots will be mailed from CSEA Headquarters on May 16, 2019,
to all eligible CSEA/VOICE 100A members. Ballots will be due on June 11, 2019. Each elected Chapter Representative will hold office for three (3) years, beginning July 1, 2019, and ending June 30, 2022.
If you have any questions, you
may contact the Statewide Election Committee at 1-800-342-4146, ext. 1447 or sec@cseainc.org.
Continued on page 15
NYS Parks Educator Tina Spencer, in yellow shirt, leads a kayaking class in a tributary near the Niagara River. Photo provided.
14 The Work Force
May 2019