Individual Placement - Educator and Animal Care Assistant

Student Conservation Association•Town of Woodbury, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Educator and Animal Care Assistant (EE/AC) serves across the education and animal care programs at Trailside Museums & Zoo in Bear Mountain State Park. The position supports Trailside’s mission to foster understanding, appreciation, and respect for the natural world through informal education, guided tours, public events, presentations, and care for local wildlife and other live animals. The animal collection includes injured and non-releasable wildlife, as well as fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Animal care includes feeding, maintaining exhibits, and carefully observing and monitoring animal health. Working with zookeepers, educators, and other staff, the EE/AC enhances visitors’ interpretive experience through impromptu teaching moments at exhibits and formal live-animal presentations. The position also collaborates on seasonal public programs, special events, and guided tours. The EE/AC may help staff and interns with volunteer projects, including restoration of Trailside grounds to a native plant community and general facility upkeep. This is a 10-month SCA AmeriCorps service position at Bear Mountain State Park in Tomkins Cove, New York.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must have a driver’s license valid for 3 years and a personal vehicle.
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.
Must be willing to undergo a National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender, and FBI checks after an offer.
Must be able to perform strenuous work; lift and carry 50 pounds; stoop and climb stairs; work outdoors in all weather; shovel snow; and stand or be on their feet for long periods.
Must have excellent hand-eye coordination.
Must be comfortable working with animals.
Must be comfortable and enjoy interacting with people of all ages, especially children.
Must be detail-oriented, self-motivated, dependable, and have excellent communication skills.
Must be able to lead hikes of several miles.
Must be confident driving 15-passenger vans and pickup trucks.
To drive an NY OPRHP vehicle, must hold a current, valid license for the vehicle type, provide a state DMV driver abstract, and pass New York State OPRHP Driver Training.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience at a zoo, animal hospital, or similar facility.
General knowledge of local flora and fauna.

Responsibilities

Feed, maintain, and care for Trailside’s live animal collection, including observing and monitoring animal health.
Engage the public in informal teaching moments at exhibits and conduct formal live-animal presentations.
Work with zookeepers, educators, and other staff to enhance the interpretive experience for visitors.
Collaborate with Education staff on seasonal public programs, special events, and guided tours.
Lead hikes of several miles.
Assist with ongoing volunteer projects, potentially including restoration of Trailside grounds to a native plant community and general facility upkeep.
Attend mandatory SCA events and trainings.
Submit timesheets, weekly output reports, and monthly narrative reports as required.

Benefits

Housing in a shared stone cottage, with a private bedroom and electricity, heat, air conditioning, and water included.
$500 per week; allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
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.
New York State Outdoor Educator Association conferences and events.
Hudson River Ecology training.
Leave No Trace Level 1.
Professional development and job-readiness training.
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.