This position requires that you become enrolled in AmeriCorps.  If you are selected for this program please be sure to accept AmeriCorps during the SCA offer process.  No travel allowance will be offered for this position even if it is stated on your confirmation of acceptance.

Due to Covid-19, events and trainings are subject to change in response to an increase in the number of cases in the Hudson Valley region. Specific duties aligned with this position may also be subject to change. Such changes include, but are not limited to: trainings being eliminated or held remotely, elimination of large-scale gatherings, reduction of education programs, and a transition to teleworking. 

SCA Hudson Valley AmeriCorps partners with State and non-profit agencies to address the conservation needs of the Hudson River Watershed region. Corps members are placed at individual host sites, where service activities range from providing environmental education to underserved youth, to restoring streambanks along the Hudson River, and beyond. Members join together regularly for trainings, service projects, or other events.

Purpose of the Program:

The Educator-Naturalist will assist in developing and executing conservation-based school and community education programs. In addition, this position will assist with daily operations, educational exhibits, and in the care of the Center and property.

Community Needs that the Program Serves:

This year, the AmeriCorps member will assist with creating and implementing COVID adapted school and public based environmental conservation education classes that serve suburban and urban populations from the region. Focusing on topics such as Marsh ecology, bird conservation and the Hudson River, the AmeriCorps member will help provide roughly 8,000 environmental education contact hours. Additionally, the AmeriCorps member will be assisting in the daily operations of the Nature Center and help with land stewardship projects on site and within the Hudson Valley region.

Values and Standards of the Program: SCA’s mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land

AmeriCorps Member Duties and Responsibilities:

The SCA intern will assist in and work closely with staff to develop and execute COVID adapted conservation-based school and community education programs; Work with the Senior Center manager in revising lesson plans and curriculum; Prepare lesson plans/curriculum, program set-up and clean-up, and program evaluation; Maintain inventory, condition and organization of educational materials, supplies and equipment; develop and execute conservation-based education through Center visitation, public canoe trips and school groups; Assist with daily operations and light maintenance of center properties, including general housekeeping; Participate in other conservation efforts, science research, and restoration work that includes learning how to collect and identify invertebrates in the field, eel monitoring, invasive species control, conducting plant surveys, or marsh birds surveys. They will also be required to develop a sound understanding of; Wetland management, Wetland ecology, Invasive species control, Native Bird and wildlife communities and Non-profit operations.

All SCA Hudson Valley Corps members are required to attend SCA events and completed SCA/AmeriCorps paperwork and reporting. This will account for roughly 15% of your time.

How the AmeriCorps Member’s Role Aligns with the Organization:

Audubon New York’s Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary, a unique ad beautiful 270-acre tidal marsh managed as a wildlife sanctuary, and is open to the public. The Audubon staff at Constitution Marsh provide stewardship to the marsh and surrounding area through education programs, wildlife monitoring and invasive species control.
Constitution Marsh plays an integrated role in conservation action, and also provides visitors with unique access to the Hudson River Highlands.  Where birds and other wildlife thrive, people thrive, and we are working to enact conservation embedded not only in local policy, field research and nature education, but also in how we perceive and interact with the natural world.
Our mission at Constitution Marsh Sanctuary is twofold: to provide stewardship to this fragile wetland and to teach others about it. We believe there is no substitute for a trip to the shoreline, where one can explore and discover the river first hand. Our goal is to give all visitors, whatever their age, the opportunity to closely observe river life and thus gain new insights into the natural world.

Performance Goals for the AmeriCorps Member:

Goal 1: AmeriCorps member will assist with adapting school and public based programming during the COVID-19 pandemic.. This will be done by conducting 50% of the programming throughout the seasons and developing 1 new education program during their service.

Goal 2: Focusing on topics such as Marsh ecology, bird conservation and the Hudson River ecology, the AmeriCorps member will help provide roughly 4,000 environmental education contact hours in both a school and public programming setting. They will be evaluated on several points that will help increase the number of programs and visitation through, but not limited to; arranging/conducting ~10 public canoe trips, and assist in reaching the public through social media and virtual outreach. (50% between goal 1 and 2)

Goal 3: Additionally, the AmeriCorps member will be assisting in the daily operations of the Nature Center that will reach another 7,000 people through Center visitors and hikers (30%).  They will also participate in other conservation efforts at the sanctuary, including songbird monitoring and invasive species control (20%).

Candidate Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license of at least 3 years with a clean driving record.
• Ability to pass a federal background check.
• Undergraduate, or equivalent experience focused in Environmental Education, Wildlife Biology, or related field.
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills with adults & children a must.
• Prior teaching experience is preferred.
• Canoeing experience a plus.
• Ability to work well as part of the team.
• Attention to detail, excellent time-management and organizational skills
• Be flexible and motivated
• Must be comfortable working outdoors in variable weather conditions

Benefits:

• All Hudson Valley Corps members receive a taxable $200/week living allowance
• This position provides housing
• Upon successful completion of the term, members receive a taxable Full-time Segal Education Award through AmeriCorps.
• Student loan forbearance and interest repayments for federal student loan through AmeriCorps.
• Eligible for free health insurance
• Eligible for childcare assistance through AmeriCorps

Training Opportunities:

All Hudson Valley Corps members receive Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Hudson River Citizen Science curricula, Trail Skills, Project WILD curricula, and professional development. Optional trainings include Leave No Trace, American Canoe Association Quick Start Your Canoe, and other opportunities that arise.

Handicap Accessible? No