Individual Placement - Volunteer Coordinator

Student Conservation Association • Poughkeepsie, NY

13h • Onsite

About The Position

Scenic Hudson is the largest regional Hudson Valley environmental organization and land trust, operating throughout nine counties in New York. Its mission is to sustain and enhance the Hudson Valley’s inspirational beauty and health for generations to come. As part of Scenic Hudson’s Parks and Community Engagement Team, the Volunteer Coordinator helps develop volunteer opportunities that connect people to nature and assists multiple teams in achieving their goals. Volunteer programming takes place at municipal-owned and Scenic Hudson properties throughout the Hudson Valley, including urban and rural settings.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Senior Community Projects Manager, the Coordinator works with Scenic Hudson’s Parks and Community Engagement Team, River Cities Team, and Science, Climate and Stewardship Team to develop, coordinate, promote, and help run three seasons of diverse volunteer activities. Activities may include community science programs, urban farming, tree plantings, invasive plant management, and trail work. The role also supports public outreach events, a community farm stand, and park visitor surveys, and includes required SCA AmeriCorps trainings, service projects, evaluation, and reporting.

The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some flexibility. Most weeks include two to three days in the office and two to three days in the field. The position requires approximately 40 hours per week for 10 months, with occasional evening, weekend, and early-morning work. Evening and weekend work is expected about three times per month. A personal vehicle is required for professional and personal travel, and the member must secure housing within reasonable commuting distance of Poughkeepsie, New York.

This is a specialized SCA AmeriCorps member position. Compensation includes a $500 weekly living allowance, a $1,000 monthly housing allowance for positions outside New York City, and a $7,395 education award upon successful completion. Members are eligible for free health insurance and childcare assistance, and qualifying federal student loans may be eligible for forbearance and interest payment deferment. Allowances are subject to applicable taxes.

Requirements

• 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.
• Be willing to undergo a National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender, and FBI checks after an offer is made.
• Have a valid driver’s license and be able to pass a federal background check.
• Have a bachelor’s degree in urban studies, environmental sciences, education, recreation resources management, or a related field, or equivalent knowledge and experience acquired through professional experience.
• Be comfortable working outdoors and physically able to walk more than four miles a day over varied terrain and lift 40 pounds.
• Be well organized, detail-oriented, and possess strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Support Scenic Hudson’s mission.
• Have a personal vehicle for personal and professional travel; driving a motor vehicle is required.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in volunteer management, public outreach, civic engagement, education, urban farming, community gardens, trail building, or park management.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, promote, and help run three seasons of volunteer activities with Scenic Hudson’s Parks and Community Engagement Team, River Cities Team, and Science, Climate and Stewardship Team.
• Engage local organizations and the public through activities such as growing and distributing fresh produce, public events, community science, learn-and-serve projects, and other program activities.
• Assist the Senior Community Projects Manager with the promotion, coordination, and implementation of public outreach events.
• Support the Urban Farmer at Pershing Community Farm with community outreach and help run the weekly community farm stand.
• Help conduct park visitor surveys in rural communities.
• Participate in required SCA Corps-wide trainings and service projects, and support project evaluation and reporting.
• Submit required timesheets, weekly output reports, and member narratives.
• Travel throughout the Hudson Valley using a personal vehicle.

Benefits

• $500 weekly living allowance.
• $1,000 per month housing allowance for positions outside New York City.
• $7,395 AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program.
• Eligible for free health insurance.
• Eligible for childcare assistance through AmeriCorps.
• Qualifying federal student loans may be eligible for forbearance and interest payment deferment.
• Training opportunities in AmeriCorps and SCA requirements, risk management, sexual harassment and drug abuse prevention, 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