Ex-State Sen. Monica Martinez lands at State Parks

Former State Sen. Monica Martinez has landed as a regional parks department deputy director on Long Island, earning a $122,092 salary, state records show.

Martinez, of Brentwood, was one of a wave of Democrats who won State Senate seats in 2018 as the party swept to control of the chamber. She won Senate District 3, which covers parts of Suffolk County’s South Shore. But she lost her reelection bid in November to Republican Alexis Weik.

Martinez began her new job on Jan. 13, according to state payroll records. She couldn't be reached immediately for comment.

Coincidentally, Brian Foley, the last Democrat to represent Senate District 3 before Monica Martinez, also had been hired by the State Parks Department in 2011 after he lost reelection in 2010.

Payroll records show Foley retired from the Parks Department on Jan. 1, 12 days before Martinez started.

In a statement, Parks Department spokesman Dan Keefe said Martinez is replacing Foley and her new job is "an essential position where she will help direct State Parks staff who are playing a key role in the COVID-19 response, including supporting the Jones Beach vaccination and testing sites."