Individual Placement - Educator-Naturalist

Student Conservation Association • Cold Spring, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Educator-Naturalist supports the National Audubon Society’s conservation mission through education, community engagement, visitor services, and hands-on stewardship at Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary and other Hudson Valley Sanctuaries, including Rheinstrom Hill, Buttercup Farm, and RamsHorn-Livingston. The role delivers classroom-based education, sanctuary field experiences, volunteer programs, and regional initiatives such as the Youth Climate Summit, helping participants connect conservation science with practical action. Program topics include bird conservation, habitat restoration, marsh ecology, forest and grassland health, and the Hudson River watershed.

Based at Constitution Marsh in Cold Spring, New York, the position also supports education, stewardship, monitoring, and conservation projects across the region. It helps operate the nature center, welcomes and informs visitors, maintains exhibits and program resources, and contributes to habitat restoration, invasive-species management, wildlife and vegetation monitoring, ecological research, and volunteer stewardship.

This is an SCA AmeriCorps service position scheduled for approximately 40 hours per week over 10 months, from January 25 through November 19, 2027. Members participate in SCA trainings, service projects, evaluation, and reporting. Free shared on-site housing is provided. Compensation includes a $500 weekly living allowance and, upon successful completion, a $7,395 education award. Members are eligible for free health insurance and AmeriCorps childcare assistance; qualifying members may also be eligible for federal student-loan forbearance and interest-payment deferment.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or national.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• 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 is made.
• Have a personal vehicle.
• Have experience canoeing or kayaking.
• Have a current and valid driver’s license for the type of vehicle operated.
• Have at least three years of state-permitted and licensed driving experience.
• Be at least 21 years old to drive an SCA motor vehicle.
• Pass a Motor Vehicle Record check upon hire or rehire and annually thereafter.
• Complete and pass SCA driver training, including online and behind-the-wheel assessment components.
• Be able to work in changing or ambiguous schedules and projects and interact positively with people of varying perspectives.
• Be able to work outdoors in severe or inclement weather and in environments with natural and environmental hazards.

Responsibilities

• Deliver mission-driven education programs for schools, community groups, families, and the public.
• Develop and implement classroom lessons, field experiences, and conservation education programs focused on bird conservation, habitat stewardship, marsh ecology, and the Hudson River watershed.
• Support regional initiatives and special events, including the Youth Climate Summit, public canoe trips, guided hikes, and community outreach programs.
• Assist with curriculum development, lesson planning, program preparation, and evaluation.
• Engage varied audiences in conservation action through education, stewardship opportunities, and Community Science initiatives.
• Support public outreach through social media, educational materials, and special events.
• Support the daily operations of the Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary.
• Welcome visitors and interpret the natural and cultural resources of Constitution Marsh and the Hudson Valley Sanctuaries.
• Provide information about Audubon programs, the sanctuary network, conservation initiatives, and volunteer opportunities.
• Maintain educational exhibits, program materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Assist with facility organization, housekeeping, and light maintenance to support safe and accessible visitor experiences.
• Assist with habitat restoration, invasive-species management, and stewardship projects across Constitution Marsh and the Hudson Valley Sanctuaries.
• Participate in wildlife monitoring and ecological research, including bird surveys and vegetation monitoring.
• Assist with trail maintenance, grounds upkeep, and habitat management activities that support biodiversity and public access.
• Support volunteer stewardship and Community Science events.
• Work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and partners to advance conservation outcomes for birds, wildlife, and their habitats.
• Participate in SCA Corps-wide trainings and service projects, project evaluation, and reporting.
• Submit timesheets through SCA’s timekeeping system and provide required output and narrative reports.

Benefits

• Free on-site housing in a shared two-bedroom apartment.
• $500 weekly living allowance, subject to applicable taxes.
• Full-Time AmeriCorps education award of $7,395 upon successful completion.
• Eligible for free health insurance.
• Eligible for childcare assistance through AmeriCorps.
• Eligible for federal student-loan forbearance and interest-payment deferment for qualifying loans.
• Training opportunities in risk management, Mental Health First Aid, Wilderness First Aid and CPR, environmental education, environmental leadership, Hudson River ecology, Leave No Trace, professional development, and job readiness.

What This Job Offers

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