Individual Placement - Conservation Steward

Student Conservation Association•New Paltz, NY

17h•Onsite

About The Position

The Conservation Steward serves as an SCA AmeriCorps member at Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Cragsmoor, New York, in a 10-month placement. The member works alongside conservation professionals and engages in conservation stewardship, trail work, outdoor education, recreation programming, and visitor services for the public and school groups. The position includes conducting conservation surveys and monitoring, mapping and removing invasive species, and assessing and maintaining trails. The member develops and delivers education programs about the site’s natural and social history, leads public recreation programs such as hikes, and supports trail education and stewardship. The member also participates in SCA trainings and service projects, completes reporting and evaluations, and provides limited visitor-center support. Work is primarily in a front-country park setting, where emergency services may be delayed by one to two hours. Public transportation may be unavailable or limited, and cell phone reception may be spotty or unavailable. The role involves frequent interaction with the public and outdoor work in inclement weather. The schedule is January 25, 2027 through November 19, 2027, with 40 hours per week. The member receives a $500 weekly living allowance and a $1,000 monthly housing allowance to procure their own housing; allowances are subject to applicable taxes. A personal vehicle is required for personal travel, and driving an OPRHP vehicle is required for the position.

Requirements

Ability to pass a background check and undergo the National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender, and FBI checks conducted after an offer.
Valid driver’s license; a current and valid license for the vehicle operated is required to drive an NY OPRHP vehicle.
Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather.
Passion for connecting people with nature.
Must be at least 18 years old.
At least two years of college experience in a relevant field.
Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or national.
Must have a high school diploma or equivalent, or be actively working to complete one.
Willingness to submit timesheets on a weekly or bi-weekly basis through SCA’s ADP timekeeping system and required weekly output reports.
To drive an NY OPRHP vehicle, provide a state driver’s abstract and pass New York State OPRHP Driver Training.

Nice To Haves

Coursework in education, environmental studies, or a related field.
Familiarity with the flora and fauna of New York State.
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.
Assess and maintain park footpaths with park staff and volunteers, including clearing water bars and building turnpikes.
Support trail education by hanging signs, speaking with patrons about trail use, serving as a trail steward on busy days, and developing trail-related educational tools.
Assist in supervising the work of NYNJ Trail Conference Trail Stewards with the supervisor.
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 programs, assess programs, and update them as needed.
Lead public recreation programs, including year-round hikes.
Participate in SCA Corps-wide trainings and service projects, project evaluation, and reporting.
Staff the Sam’s Point Visitor Center, assisting patrons, answering phones, staffing the information desk, maintaining displays, and providing information about Leave No Trace, the site, and park policies.
Submit required timesheets and weekly output reports, and contribute monthly narrative information through output reports.
Complete mid-term and end-of-term evaluations with the site supervisor.

Benefits

$500 per week living allowance.
$1,000 per month housing allowance to procure housing.
Health insurance.
AmeriCorps and SCA orientation and training, including risk management, reporting requirements, and benefits.
Mental Health First Aid Training.
Wilderness First Aid and CPR.
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 support.
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.