Individual Placement - Regional Educator

Student Conservation Association•New York, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Regional Educator is an SCA AmeriCorps member working with New York State parks in the New York City region. The position leads educational programs for audiences of different ages and backgrounds, including toddler story times, bird walks, fishing clinics, and school field trips, with a focus on the urban ecosystems of NYC state parks. The role travels among Marsha P. Johnson State Park in Brooklyn, Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens, Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx, and Riverbank State Park in Manhattan. The hosting organization is Clay Pit Ponds State Park NYS OPRHP, and the member will live in provided housing at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve on Staten Island. Daily travel to other parks is required using a provided state vehicle. The service term is January 25, 2027 through November 19, 2027, with a schedule of 40 hours per week. The position is primarily in urban settings, with possible work in front-country settings. It involves frequent interaction with the public and outdoor work in all weather conditions. Compensation is $500 per week, subject to applicable taxes, and free housing is provided. The position includes training and development opportunities, including AmeriCorps and SCA orientation, risk management, Mental Health First Aid, Wilderness First Aid and CPR, outdoor education programs, conferences and events, and job-readiness development.

Requirements

Valid driver’s license and comfort operating state vehicles; driving an OPRHP vehicle is required.
Willingness to travel up to four hours in a day between sites.
Willingness to live in housing provided at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve.
Ability to lift 30 pounds.
Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
Enjoy working with children.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Willingness to work a varied schedule, including weekends and nights.
Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or national; be at least 18 years old; and have a high school diploma or equivalent, or be actively working to complete one.
Willingness to undergo a National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender, and FBI checks, after an offer is made.
Submit timesheets weekly or biweekly through SCA’s ADP timekeeping system and complete required output and narrative reporting.
For OPRHP vehicle use, provide a state DMV driver abstract and pass New York State OPRHP Driver Training.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of native flora and fauna.

Responsibilities

Assist educators in planning, setting up, teaching, and evaluating in-person programs and workshops.
Design educational content for digital platforms using a variety of media, including social media posts, exhibits, and program signage.
Design, plan, and implement one lasting-impact project at a state park in the NYC region.
Assist with creating and transporting program materials, and keep materials organized and inventory cataloged.
Assist with maple syrup production and education.
Conduct research and fieldwork supporting education programs, community science, and stewardship, including wildlife surveys and invasive species removal.
Spend at least one workday each month with the region’s Stewardship Team removing invasive species and conducting research in parks.
Assist with general facility upkeep, including handling live animals.
Perform other duties assigned by management based on regional parks’ and facilities’ operational needs.

Benefits

Free housing at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve.
Health insurance.
AmeriCorps and SCA orientation and training.
Mental Health First Aid Training.
Wilderness First Aid and CPR.
Project WILD and Project AQUATIC training.
New York State Outdoor Educator Association conferences and events.
Hudson River Ecology training.
Leave No Trace Level 1 training.
Professional development and job-readiness support.
Service events, including Earth Day/Arbor Day, I Love My Park Day, National Trails Day, Patriots Day of Service and Remembrance, and A Day in the Life of the Hudson River.