Individual Placement - Volunteer and Event Coordinator

Student Conservation Association • Poughkeepsie, NY

13h • Onsite

About The Position

Friends of the Walkway, the nonprofit partner of Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, works with New York State Parks to enhance the visitor experience, engage the community, and support park programs and amenities. The Volunteer and Event Coordinator supports the organization’s volunteer program, weekend visitor operations, special events, and community programs, working primarily with the Manager of Volunteer and Visitor Operations and assisting the Manager of Programs and Engagement. Friends of the Walkway supports more than 150 volunteer Ambassadors, operates gift shops at both ends of the Walkway, and supports an accessible tram and year-round programs and activities.

The coordinator schedules volunteers, contacts them to fill open shifts, assists with training, supports Ambassadors onsite, and covers unfilled shifts when necessary. The member will also be trained as a docent for educational programs and tours and may provide docent coverage as needed. Event support includes volunteer recruitment and scheduling, logistics, setup and breakdown, and day-of coordination for public programs and special events.

During the primary operating season, the member regularly serves onsite on weekends, supporting volunteers, helping maintain adequate coverage, interacting with visitors, and stepping into operational roles as needed. Hours may shift for occasional evening programs, holidays, and special events. The role provides hands-on experience in volunteer management, visitor services, public parks, nonprofit operations, public interaction, and event support.

The position is based in Poughkeepsie, New York. Work may take place in an urban setting with emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception readily accessible, and involves regular and frequent interaction with the public. Corps members are expected to serve approximately 40 hours per week for 10 months, from January 25 through November 19, 2027. Free dorm-style housing at a local boarding school is provided. Compensation includes a $500 weekly living allowance, a full-time AmeriCorps education award of $7,395 upon successful program completion, eligibility for free health insurance and childcare assistance, and possible federal student loan forbearance and interest payment deferment for qualifying loans. Allowances are subject to applicable taxes. Driving an SCA motor vehicle is required, subject to the stated licensing, experience, age, records-check, and training conditions.

Requirements

• Meet SCA 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.
• Be willing to undergo a National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender, and FBI checks after an offer is made.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational, time-management, and critical-thinking skills.
• Work productively in a fast-paced, high-energy environment with frequent changes.
• Have solid communication skills and be able to respond to challenging situations with a calm, positive, and professional demeanor.
• Have a strong work ethic and ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Take initiative, exercise sound judgment, and independently resolve routine operational issues while knowing when to seek assistance.
• Have experience with database management software, Microsoft Office applications, and point-of-sale systems, or the ability to learn them.
• Be able to perform physical tasks and work outdoors in varied weather and field conditions.
• Be willing and available to regularly work weekends and occasional holidays and evenings; weekend availability during the primary operating season is required.
• Be friendly and approachable, work well with children and adults, and be comfortable greeting and interacting with visitors, answering questions, and providing information.
• Possess a current, valid driver’s license for the vehicle operated, have at least three years of state-permitted and licensed driving experience, be at least 21 years old, pass SCA Motor Vehicle Record checks upon hire and annually, and pass SCA driver training, including online and behind-the-wheel assessment.
• Serve approximately 40 hours per week for 10 months and complete the 1,700-hour AmeriCorps requirement.

Nice To Haves

• Experience and enthusiasm in volunteer engagement, including working with volunteers of various ages and abilities.
• A positive attitude, enthusiasm, and desire to learn.
• Experience helping organize or assist with events.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate weekly volunteer schedules with the Manager of Volunteer and Visitor Operations to help ensure adequate on-bridge coverage.
• Contact volunteers by email, text, and phone to fill open shifts, and cover unfilled vacancies when necessary.
• Participate in volunteer training and help update procedural materials and volunteer communications.
• Attend monthly volunteer Ambassador committee meetings when available.
• Serve as the onsite Friends staff presence on weekends, helping resolve issues and support volunteer Ambassadors and park visitors.
• Check in during the day with shift volunteers at both pavilions and the tram.
• Maintain effective communication between volunteers and New York State Parks staff during operating hours.
• Assist with merchandise fulfillment, stock replenishment, and maintaining organized, welcoming retail spaces.
• Report low inventory, on-bridge needs, and volunteer and visitor feedback and suggestions to the Manager of Volunteer and Visitor Operations.
• Answer visitor questions, provide information, and help create a welcoming visitor experience.
• Assist Friends staff with coordination and communication for outside events, including permits and required paperwork with New York State Parks and event organizers.
• Assist with event planning and logistics, especially volunteer recruitment, scheduling, and day-of coordination, as well as event setup and breakdown.
• Train to serve as a docent for Walkway educational programs and tours, and provide docent coverage as needed.
• Support grant-funded youth and community initiatives through administrative work, tracking activities and outcomes, and participating in relevant committee meetings.
• Participate in SCA Corps-wide trainings and service projects, project evaluation, and reporting.
• Submit timesheets and required weekly output and monthly narrative reports through SCA reporting systems.

Benefits

• Free dorm-style housing in a room at a local boarding school.
• $500 weekly living allowance.
• Full-Time AmeriCorps education award of $7,395 upon successful program completion.
• Eligibility for free health insurance.
• Eligibility for childcare assistance through AmeriCorps.
• Eligible qualifying members may receive federal student loan forbearance and interest payment deferment.
• Training opportunities including AmeriCorps and SCA training, risk management, Mental Health First Aid, Wilderness First Aid and CPR, environmental education, leadership and professional development, Hudson River ecology, and Leave No Trace training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED