Park Ambassador

Hudson River Housing Inc•City of Poughkeepsie, NY

2h•$20

About The Position

Hudson River Housing improves lives and communities through housing with compassion and development with vision. We are dedicated to building strong, sustainable communities by developing and preserving quality affordable housing and helping families and individuals obtain and maintain housing through education, advocacy and support services. We are a committed group of people from all backgrounds who care deeply about our community and want to make it a better place. Position: Park Ambassador General Description: The Park Ambassador will operate with a neighborhood lens, with Park Ambassadors attending to major youth-serving parks in the Northside of Poughkeepsie. Priority parks will be Malcolm X Park, Pershing Park, and Earline Patrice (Mansion Square) Park.

Requirements

Good knowledge of security procedures, de-escalation and crisis management
Ability and willingness to communicate and interact with the public and secure cooperation without unnecessary antagonism
Ability to perform basic park maintenance and upkeep
Ability to keep records and make reports
Honesty and dependability
Good observational skills
Mental alertness
Good moral character
Excellent physical condition
Sound professional judgment
Ability to work weekend days if needed
Comfortable walking and working outdoors for extended hours and in various weather conditions

Nice To Haves

Background in security services
Lived experience or background in social services, peer support, or community engagement; experience working with youth, homeless populations, or individuals with substance use/mental health challenges
Familiarity with the Northside of Poughkeepsie and its community
Bilingual (Spanish-English) skills are a plus

Responsibilities

Youth Advocacy
Build relationships with community members, parents, and youth program providers
Ensure children and families feel welcome and safe in parks
Track and promote recreation and youth programs for shared use of space
Identify park needs and communicate them to the City of Poughkeepsie Department of Public Works
Community Engagement & De-escalation
Engage as ambassadors to the parks. with respect and empathy toward all park users
De-escalate conflicts and redirect prohibited activities away from youth spaces
Maintain visible presence to deter unsafe behavior
Activate a crisis, safety, and emergency protocol as needed
Resource Navigation
Provide information about housing, substance use treatment, harm reduction, food access, and crisis support
Provide crisis support as needed
Carry outreach materials (flyers, cards, contact info for local service providers)
Only provide resources to those who are willing to accept them
Park Upkeep
Perform minor litter pickup
Dispose of needles and other substance paraphernalia using proper safety gear provided
Report maintenance needs (e.g., broken playground equipment, lighting issues)
Data Collection & Reporting
Track incidents, outreach efforts, and daily observations
Submit weekly reports to program supervisor
Contribute to annual evaluation of program impact
Avoid taking photos of park users