New York Corps - Educator

Student Conservation Association•Trumansburg, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Educator serves with the Finger Lakes Region of New York State Parks through a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program. The role supports visitor education and interpretation at multiple parks and historic sites, helping visitors understand park formation, natural-resource challenges, stewardship work, site history, park rules, and local hazards. Members develop and deliver programs and tours that enrich visitors’ experiences, including for people who cannot physically hike gorge trails. The position is based in Trumansburg, New York, and runs from January 25, 2027, through November 24, 2027. Members may lead gorge tours at Watkins Glen State Park and tours and programs at Taughannock Falls, Robert H. Treman, and Buttermilk Falls State Parks. They research and create presentations about the parks’ history and historic sites, and collaborate with FORCES on projects such as hemlock woolly adelgid surveys, mapping, trail work, and volunteer coordination. Members may also help staff regional events. This is a 40-hour-per-week AmeriCorps service position. Shared housing is provided at Taughannock Falls State Park. The weekly living allowance is $500, and successful completion of the program qualifies the member for a $7,395 education award. Members are eligible for free health insurance and may qualify for childcare assistance and federal student-loan forbearance and interest-payment deferment. The position includes orientation and training in areas such as risk management, outdoor education, first aid, interpretation, and professional development.

Requirements

Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or national; be at least 18; 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 is made.
Submit required timesheets and output reports; training is provided at orientation.
For driving duties, hold a current and valid driver’s license for the vehicle operated, provide a state DMV driving abstract, and pass New York State OPRHP driver training.
For SCA vehicle driving, have at least three years of state-permitted and licensed driving experience, be at least 21 years old, pass an MVR check upon hire and annually thereafter, and pass SCA online and behind-the-wheel driver training.
Be able to work in outdoor environments and walk five miles or more per day.
Have a personal vehicle for non-work-related travel.
Be able to adapt to changing or ambiguous schedules and projects, interact positively with people of varying perspectives, and work respectfully in natural environments and regionally significant locations.
Be prepared to work in severe or inclement weather, heat and cold, and environments with natural and environmental hazards.

Nice To Haves

Passion and enthusiasm for sharing the natural world with others.
Computer skills.
Comfort with public speaking.
Ability to work well in small groups and independently, including remotely and without direct supervision.

Responsibilities

Create and deliver educational and interpretive programs that enhance visitor experiences, including for visitors unable to hike gorge trails.
Lead gorge tours at Watkins Glen State Park and tours and programs at Taughannock Falls, Robert H. Treman, and Buttermilk Falls State Parks.
Research and deliver programs about the history of parks and historic sites, including Newtown Battlefield State Park.
Research and format presentations with substantive content that can be used by multiple educators and accommodate different presentation styles.
Work with FORCES on projects and initiatives, including hemlock woolly adelgid surveys, mapping, trail work, and volunteer coordination.
Help staff regional events, which may include the Cayuga Lake Triathlon, I Love My Park Day, Summer Concert Series, and Silent Movie Under the Stars.
Submit timesheets weekly or bi-weekly through SCA’s ADP timekeeping system and submit required output and narrative reports.
Complete required mid-term and end-of-term evaluations with the site supervisor.
Drive an SCA motor vehicle as required and complete the required driver training and screening.

Benefits

Shared housing provided in Taughannock Falls State Park.
Weekly living allowance of $500.
AmeriCorps education award of $7,395 upon successful completion of the program.
Eligible for free health insurance.
Eligible for AmeriCorps childcare assistance.
Eligible for federal student-loan forbearance and interest-payment deferment for qualifying loans.
Training opportunities include AmeriCorps and SCA orientation, risk management, sexual harassment and drug-abuse-in-the-workplace training, Mental Health First Aid, Wilderness First Aid and CPR, outdoor educator conferences and events, Leave No Trace Level 1, ACA Level 1 Canoe Training, Certified Interpretive Guide training, professional development and job readiness, service events, and host-site education and interpretation training.
Defensive driving training.
First Aid/CPR and interpretive-skills training.
Wilderness First Aid training.