Individual Placement - Natural Resources Assistant

Student Conservation Association • Poughkeepsie, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Natural Resources Assistant serves with Scenic Hudson’s Science and Stewardship Team, helping care for parks and preserves throughout the Hudson Valley. The role supports habitat restoration, invasive plant control, ecological monitoring and assessments, and natural-resource data management. It also involves regular visits to Scenic Hudson parks, interacting with visitors, explaining park rules and projects, and assisting Scenic Hudson SCA members and staff with other duties.

The position is primarily in front-country settings, though work may also take place in backcountry locations with limited emergency services, public transportation, or cell reception. Members serve approximately 40 hours per week and participate in SCA Corps-wide training and service projects. A personal vehicle is required for personal and professional travel, and weekend work is required occasionally. The member is responsible for finding housing within a reasonable commuting distance of Poughkeepsie, New York.

Requirements

• Meet AmeriCorps eligibility 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; and be willing to undergo the required National Service Criminal History Check.
• Associate’s degree in natural resource management, environmental science, ecology, biology, or a related field.
• Valid driver’s license and personal transportation; driving a motor vehicle is required.
• Ability to perform outdoor physical work independently and as part of a group in semi-remote locations and varying weather conditions.
• Ability to walk more than 4 miles per day over varied terrain and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Experience with pesticide application or willingness to learn.
• Availability for a 40-hour workweek, including some early starts, weekends, and evening work.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with ArcGIS software and GPS mapping.
• Experience identifying native and invasive plants, particularly in the Northeastern United States.
• Experience operating power and hand tools such as shovels, rakes, loppers, cordless drills, brush-cutters, and weed-whackers.
• Enjoys working and interacting with people of all ages and backgrounds, with a positive attitude and a desire to enhance the natural world.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Natural Resource Manager with stewardship of Scenic Hudson lands, including tree planting, invasive plant control, ecological inventories and monitoring, forestry surveys, and botanical surveys.
• Document field work and manage natural-resource databases and GIS data.
• Organize and lead volunteer workdays and produce public outreach materials as needed.
• Collaborate with other Scenic Hudson SCA members on work throughout Scenic Hudson parks and preserves.
• Participate in SCA Corps-wide training and service projects, and complete project evaluation and reporting.
• Assist with events in Scenic Hudson parks, including non-natural-resources volunteer workdays and recreational activities.
• Assist with park infrastructure projects as needed, including trail building and creating or replacing trail improvements and park structures.
• Interact with park visitors, communicate park rules, and introduce and explain park projects.
• Submit timesheets and required weekly output reports, including monthly member narratives.

Benefits

• $1,000 per month housing allowance for positions outside of NYC; member secures their own housing.
• $500 weekly living allowance.
• Full-Time AmeriCorps Award, with a $7,395 education award 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 training, risk management, Mental Health First Aid, Wilderness First Aid and CPR, environmental education and leadership, professional development, and service events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree