Individual Placement - Educator Assistant

Student Conservation Association • New York, NY

3h • Onsite

About The Position

The NYSDEC Region 2 Bureau of Education engages New York City residents with local natural resources through natural history education, outdoor recreation, and stewardship. Three SCA AmeriCorps members will work with regional educators from the Region 2 Office in Long Island City, Queens, primarily supporting the After-School Conservation Club (ASCC) and Summer Outdoor Explorers (SOE). Members travel to off-site program locations by public transportation and independently deliver lessons.

For ASCC, members deliver one-hour lessons to groups of approximately 20 third-, fourth-, and/or fifth-grade students at community-based after-school programs. They generally meet weekly with the same one or two groups during approximately 15 weeks in spring and 10 weeks in fall, with latitude to tailor lessons to group interests. SOE follows a similar format, with lessons held outdoors in local parks during morning or afternoon sessions over four to six weeks. Members also help deliver school and community lessons, professional development workshops, and public programs; develop and deliver lessons; and spend one or two weeks at a DEC sleepaway camp working with up to 45 youth.

The position is based in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are available within 30 minutes, and interactions with the public are frequent. The schedule is approximately 37.5 hours per week for 11 months, generally Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., with daily start and end times varying according to program schedules and some weekend work required. The stated service period is January 25, 2027, through December 17, 2027.

Members receive a weekly living allowance of $500, a $1,100 monthly housing allowance for positions in NYC, and an AmeriCorps education award of $7,395 upon successful completion. Members are eligible for free health insurance and AmeriCorps childcare assistance, and qualifying student loans may be eligible for forbearance and interest payment deferment. Work and personal travel on MTA-operated subways and local buses is reimbursed through OMNY. Allowances are subject to applicable taxes. Members are responsible for finding their own housing within commuting distance of or in New York, NY.

Requirements

• Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or national; be at least 18 years old; and have a high school diploma or equivalent or be actively working to complete one.
• Be willing to undergo a National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender, and FBI checks after an offer.
• Have enthusiasm for the outdoors and nature.
• Be able to work in a team setting and independently deliver lessons and work on selected projects.
• Be able to deliver lessons outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Be willing and able to travel by public transportation at least four days per week to off-site locations throughout New York City while carrying educational supplies.
• Complete fingerprinting, background checks, and medical clearance when required by partner organizations, in addition to the SCA/AmeriCorps background check.

Nice To Haves

• College degree, experience, and/or passion for education, ecology, science, or related fields.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or Chinese.
• Ability and preference to drive a motor vehicle; driving is preferred but not required. Drivers must meet the stated license, experience, age, MVR-check, and driver-training requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide primary support for the After-School Conservation Club (ASCC) and Summer Outdoor Explorers (SOE) programs.
• Deliver one-hour ASCC lessons to groups of third-, fourth-, and/or fifth-grade students at off-site NYC after-school programs, typically meeting weekly with the same one or two groups.
• Deliver SOE lessons outdoors at local parks during morning or afternoon sessions over four to six weeks.
• Tailor lessons to the interests of program groups and develop and deliver lessons for program audiences.
• Support regional educators in delivering other school and community lessons, professional development workshops, and public programs.
• Spend one or two weeks at a DEC sleepaway camp interacting with and educating youth, including NYC Campership Program campers.
• Complete required SCA and DEC trainings and other professional development.
• Submit timesheets and required weekly output reports, including member narratives collected through output reports.
• Travel by public transportation to off-site program locations throughout New York City.
• Attend relevant local-organization trainings and, as appropriate, shadow or assist DEC Natural Resources units and support stewardship and education at local organizations.

Benefits

• $500 weekly living allowance.
• $1,100 monthly housing allowance for positions within NYC.
• $7,395 AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program.
• Eligible for free health insurance.
• Eligible for childcare assistance through AmeriCorps.
• Eligible for federal student loan forbearance and interest payment deferment for qualifying loans.
• Reimbursement for work and personal travel on MTA-operated subways and local buses through OMNY.
• Training and professional development opportunities, including Wilderness First Aid and CPR, Mental Health First Aid, environmental education and leadership, and job readiness.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED