Individual Placement - Conservation Steward

Student Conservation Association•New Paltz, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is recruiting an AmeriCorps Conservation Steward to serve a 10-month term at Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Cragsmoor, New York, hosted by NYS OPRHP. The position combines conservation stewardship, trail assessment and maintenance, outdoor education, recreation programming, and visitor-center support. The member will work with park staff, volunteers, the Stewardship Coordinator, and members of the NYS Parks Invasive Species Unit, and will regularly interact with the public and school groups. The role is primarily in a front-country park setting, where emergency services may be delayed by one to two hours. Public transportation is limited or unavailable at the worksite, and cell-phone reception may be limited, spotty, or unavailable. The member must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather. A personal vehicle is required for personal travel, and driving an OPRHP vehicle is part of the position. The scheduled service term is January 25, 2027, through November 19, 2027, at 40 hours per week. Compensation includes a $500 weekly living allowance and a $1,000 monthly housing allowance, subject to applicable taxes. The member procures their own housing. The position also includes health insurance and AmeriCorps and SCA training and development opportunities.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
At least two years of college experience in a relevant field.
Ability to pass a background check and undergo the AmeriCorps National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender, and FBI checks after an offer.
Valid driver’s license; must provide a state DMV driver’s abstract and pass New York State OPRHP Driver Training to drive an OPRHP vehicle.
Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather.
Passion for connecting people with nature.
Must meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or national; be at least 18; and have a high school diploma or equivalent, or be actively working to complete one.
Ability to complete required timesheets, output reports, project reporting, and evaluations.

Nice To Haves

Coursework in education, environmental studies, or a related field.
Familiarity with New York State flora and fauna.
Specialized education training such as Project WET or Project WILD.

Responsibilities

Assist with and lead conservation stewardship projects, including fire-monitoring surveys, Phenology Trail monitoring, and mapping and removing invasive species, sometimes in collaboration with NYS Parks’ Invasive Species Unit and the Stewardship Coordinator.
Assess park footpaths with park staff and volunteers and make needed trail improvements, including structural repairs such as clearing water bars and building turnpikes.
Support trail education by hanging signs, speaking with patrons about trail use, and serving as a trail steward on busy days.
Develop trail-related education tools, potentially including scenic-view signs and descriptions of hiking routes for the park website.
Assist the supervisor with overseeing the work of NYNJ Trail Conference Trail Stewards.
Research, develop, and deliver outdoor education programs about the site’s natural and social history for the public and school groups.
Create and distribute promotional materials, seek new audiences for education programs, and assess and update programs as needed.
Lead public outdoor recreation programs, such as hikes, throughout the year.
Participate in SCA Corps-wide trainings and service projects, and complete project evaluation and reporting.
Staff the Sam’s Point Visitor Center by assisting patrons, answering phones, staffing the information desk, and maintaining displays through modest cleaning and maintenance.
Provide visitor information about Leave No Trace, the natural and social history of Minnewaska, directions to points of interest, park policies, garbage practices, and acceptable trail use.
Submit timesheets weekly or bi-weekly through SCA’s ADP timekeeping system and submit weekly output reports, including member narratives collected monthly.
Complete a mid-term and end-of-term evaluation with the site supervisor.
Drive an OPRHP vehicle as required and meet the associated driver requirements.

Benefits

Health insurance
AmeriCorps orientation and training
SCA Risk Management training
Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace training
Mental Health First Aid Training
Wilderness First Aid and CPR training
Project WILD and Project AQUATIC training
New York State Outdoor Educator Association conferences and events
Hudson River Ecology training
Leave No Trace Level 1 training
Professional development and job readiness
Service events, including Earth Day/Arbor Day, I Love My Park Day, National Trails Day, Patriots Day of Service and Remembrance, and A Day in the Life of the Hudson River
$500 weekly living allowance
$1,000 monthly housing allowance