Individual Placement - Research & Monitoring Member

Student Conservation Association • Staatsburg, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Research & Monitoring Member assists the Research Coordinator and SWMP Technician in implementing the National Estuarine Research Reserve System’s System-Wide Monitoring Program within the Hudson River Estuary. The program coordinates the collection, management, and archiving of water quality, meteorological, and nutrient data used to study short-term variability and long-term changes in coastal habitats.

The member supports monitoring activities through instrument calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and deployment; water-sample collection and laboratory analysis; weather-station maintenance; and data entry. The position also contributes to other Research Reserve initiatives and programs, participates in SCA Corps-wide training and service projects, and completes required AmeriCorps reporting. The role is based at Norrie Point Environmental Center in Staatsburg, New York, and runs from January 25, 2027, through November 19, 2027. Members serve approximately 40 hours per week for 10 months.

Requirements

• Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or national; be at least 18; have a high school diploma or equivalent or be actively working to complete one; and agree to the required National Service Criminal History Check.
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental studies, biology, geology, or a related field.
• Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle.
• Be comfortable working in and around water and outdoors year-round in varied weather conditions.
• Able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Able to follow rigorous sampling procedures and laboratory best practices, as well as laboratory and field safety protocols.
• Be comfortable working with or around chemicals in a laboratory.
• Willing to operate a state-owned sedan, truck, and SUV.
• Able to swim.
• Be comfortable working in wetland and aquatic environments, including hip-deep mud and muck, shallow and deep water, dense vegetation, and exposure to sun, insects, wildlife, and other environmental hazards.
• Able to canoe or kayak, or willing to learn on the Hudson River and tidal creeks.
• Willing to work in chest waders, hip boots, dive boots, wet suits, water shoes, and other protective equipment.
• Be comfortable working with or around power and hand tools, or willing to learn their safe operation.
• For SCA vehicle operation: hold a current valid license for the vehicle type, have at least three years of permitted and licensed driving experience, be at least 21 years old, pass an MVR check, and complete SCA driver training, including online and behind-the-wheel assessment.
• Complete required timesheets and reporting, including AmeriCorps requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist with monthly water-sample collection at multiple Hudson River Estuary sites, using handheld meters, recording field data, and following sampling protocols.
• Assist with laboratory processing and analysis of water samples for multiple parameters, including preparing chemical reagents and standards as needed.
• Assist with monthly maintenance of Hudson River weather stations, including sensor and instrument troubleshooting, data retrieval, and handheld-meter use.
• Support calibration, deployment, maintenance, and troubleshooting of water-quality monitoring instruments, including monthly instrument swaps at multiple sites.
• Prepare for monthly sampling by labeling bottles and cuvettes, cleaning and storing equipment, weighing filters, and completing related tasks.
• Digitize field data sheets and enter data into Microsoft Access, Excel, and online databases.
• Maintain, organize, and upkeep the working laboratory.
• Assist with other Research program initiatives as needed, such as water-level monitoring, surveying, visiting-researcher projects, and tidal wetland or aquatic habitat monitoring.
• Provide assistance as needed to other Research Reserve programs, including invasive-species management, public education, marsh monitoring, and the TIDES education program.
• Participate in SCA Corps-wide training and service projects and complete AmeriCorps reporting requirements, including timesheets, reports, tests, and evaluations.
• Complete required weekly or bi-weekly timesheets, weekly output reports, and monthly narrative reporting.
• Complete required online and in-person trainings, including employee and contractor, laboratory safety, and boater safety training.

Benefits

• Free housing or a $1,000-per-month housing allowance for positions outside NYC; free housing is lottery-based and not guaranteed.
• Weekly living allowance of $500.
• Full-Time AmeriCorps education award of $7,395 upon successful completion of the program.
• Eligible for free health insurance.
• Eligible for childcare assistance through AmeriCorps.
• Eligible for federal student-loan forbearance and interest-payment deferment for qualifying loans.
• Training opportunities in AmeriCorps and SCA topics, risk management, workplace harassment and drug abuse, mental health first aid, wilderness first aid and CPR, environmental education, environmental leadership, Hudson River ecology, Leave No Trace, and professional development and job readiness.
• Opportunities to attend New York State Outdoor Educator Association conferences and events and participate in service events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level