Individual Placement - Educator and Animal Care Assistant

Student Conservation Association•BEAR MOUNTAIN, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Educator and Animal Care Assistant (EE/AC) serves across Trailside’s education and animal care programs at Bear Mountain State Park. Trailside aims to foster understanding, appreciation, and respect for the natural world through informal education, guided tours, public events, and topical presentations. Its animal care program provides husbandry for injured and non-releasable local wildlife, as well as fish, reptiles, and amphibians housed at the facility. Animal care includes feeding, maintaining, and carefully monitoring the health of the animals, which also serve as ambassadors for their species in public education. Working alongside zookeepers, educators, and other staff, the EE/AC helps make visitors’ experiences more engaging through informal teaching moments at exhibits, live animal presentations, seasonal programs, special events, and guided tours. The role provides hands-on experience in animal care, husbandry, education, and interpretation. The member may also assist with volunteer projects such as restoring the grounds to a native plant community and maintaining facilities. This is a 10-month SCA AmeriCorps member position based at Bear Mountain State Park in Tomkins Cove, New York. Work is primarily in a front-country setting, though emergency services may be delayed by one to two hours. Public transportation is limited or unavailable, and cell reception may be spotty or unavailable. Housing is provided in a shared stone cottage, with a private bedroom for each intern. The schedule is 40 hours per week, January 25, 2027 through November 19, 2027. Compensation is $500 per week, subject to applicable taxes.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must have a driver’s license valid for at least three 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.
Must be able to perform strenuous work, lift and carry 50 pounds, stoop, climb stairs, shovel snow, and stand or be on their feet for extended periods.
Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions and have excellent hand-eye coordination.
Must be comfortable working with animals and 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 a 15-passenger van and pickup trucks.
Must meet New York State OPRHP vehicle-driving requirements: hold a current valid license for the vehicle type, provide a state DMV driver’s abstract, and pass OPRHP Driver Training.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide animal care and husbandry, including feeding, maintaining, observing, and monitoring the health of the live animal collection.
Engage visitors through informal teaching moments at exhibits and formal live animal presentations.
Work with zookeepers, educators, and other staff to enhance the interpretive experience for Trailside patrons.
Collaborate with education staff on seasonal public programs, special events, and guided tours.
Assist Trailside staff and other interns with volunteer projects, potentially including native plant restoration and general facility upkeep.
Attend all mandatory SCA events and trainings.
Submit timesheets and required weekly output and narrative reports through SCA’s reporting systems.

Benefits

Housing in a shared stone cottage, with a private bedroom for each intern and utilities included.
Health insurance through AmeriCorps; eligibility/requirement applies.
AmeriCorps and SCA orientation and training, including risk management, reporting requirements, workplace safety topics, and Mental Health First Aid.
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 training.
Participation in 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.