Individual Placement - Land Stewardship and Research Assistant

Student Conservation Association • Poughkeepsie, NY

17h • Onsite

About The Position

The Land Steward and Research Assistant works closely with the Preserve Director to support research, recreation, teaching, and land stewardship at The Preserve at Vassar. The assistant leads coordination of Vassar student intern teams working on stewardship, monitoring, restoration, and native plant propagation. The role supports monitoring used to inform land-management decisions and assess conservation targets, with current projects involving vegetation surveys, invasive-species monitoring, restoration assessments, deer-impact measurements, and ecological-community mapping. The assistant also helps maintain the Preserve, restoration projects, and trails, and engages stakeholders by answering questions, hosting educational events, and organizing volunteer events.

This is an SCA AmeriCorps member position based in Poughkeepsie, New York. The work is primarily in a front-country setting where emergency services may be delayed by one to two hours. The member regularly interacts with the public; public transportation to the worksite is limited or unavailable, and cell reception may be spotty or unavailable. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with seasonal variability and occasional required weekend work. Members serve approximately 40 hours per week for 10 months, with a 1,700-hour AmeriCorps requirement.

The position runs from January 25, 2027, through November 19, 2027. Compensation includes a $500 weekly living allowance, a $1,000 monthly housing allowance for positions outside New York City, and an AmeriCorps education award of $7,395 upon successful program completion. Members are eligible for free health insurance and childcare assistance through AmeriCorps. The member is responsible for obtaining housing within reasonable commuting distance of Poughkeepsie. A personal vehicle is required for personal and professional travel, and driving an SCA motor vehicle is required.

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 strong plant and animal identification skills.
• Have knowledge of GIS and familiarity with databases.
• Be able to follow protocols.
• Be familiar with hand and power tools.
• Have strong leadership skills.
• Have knowledge of and enthusiasm for learning about the natural world.
• Have a driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle.
• Possess a current, valid driver’s license for the vehicle operated, have at least three years of state-permitted and licensed driving experience, and be at least 21 years old to drive an SCA motor vehicle.
• Pass an SCA Motor Vehicle Record check upon hire or rehire and annually thereafter, and complete and pass SCA driver training, including online and behind-the-wheel assessment components.
• Serve approximately 40 hours per week and meet the 1,700-hour AmeriCorps requirement.

Nice To Haves

• A bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Biology, Botany, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, Natural Resources Management, or a related field is considered best suited for the position.
• Familiarity with environmental monitoring techniques, ecological restoration, and land stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate teams of Vassar student interns working on stewardship, monitoring, restoration, and native plant propagation.
• Assist with monitoring to inform land-management decisions and assess the health of conservation targets.
• Support vegetation surveys, invasive-species monitoring, restoration assessments, deer-impact measurements, and ecological-community mapping.
• Assist with maintenance of the Preserve, ongoing restoration projects, and the trail network.
• Answer questions from Preserve stakeholders.
• Host educational events and organize volunteer events.
• Submit timesheets through SCA’s timekeeping system on a weekly or biweekly basis.
• Submit required output reports and monthly member narratives.

Benefits

• $500 weekly living allowance.
• $1,000 monthly housing allowance for positions outside New York City.
• $7,395 AmeriCorps education award upon successful program completion.
• Eligibility for free health insurance.
• Eligibility for childcare assistance through AmeriCorps.
• Training opportunities in AmeriCorps and SCA topics, risk management, workplace safety, mental health first aid, wilderness first aid and CPR, environmental education, environmental leadership, outdoor education, 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