Individual Placement - Water Quality Monitoring Member

Student Conservation Association • Staatsburg, NY

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve (HRNERR) works to improve the health of the Hudson River Estuary by conserving estuarine habitats through education, training, stewardship, restoration, monitoring, and research. The Hudson River Environmental Conditions Observing System (HRECOS) is a collaborative water quality monitoring program based at HRNERR, operated by academic, nonprofit, and government partners to provide the public with real-time information about the Hudson River.

The SCA AmeriCorps member will work with the HRECOS program coordinator to support calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and deployment of water quality and weather monitoring equipment; collect and process water quality samples; and assist with other monitoring initiatives at the Research Reserve. The member will also help develop outreach and educational materials based on collected data and may support research projects and educational programs as needed. The position is based at Norrie Point Environmental Center in Staatsburg, New York, and runs from January 25, 2027, through November 19, 2027. The schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., approximately 40 hours per week, with occasional optional weekend work.

This is a specialized SCA AmeriCorps service position requiring 1,700 service hours. Compensation includes a $500 weekly living allowance and a $7,395 education award upon successful program completion. Free housing may be available through a lottery, or a $1,000 monthly housing allowance is offered for positions outside New York City. Members are eligible for free health insurance, childcare assistance, and qualifying federal student loan forbearance and interest payment deferment. SCA provides program, safety, environmental education, and professional development training.

Requirements

• Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or national; be at least 18; and have a high school diploma or equivalent or be actively working to complete one.
• Agree to undergo the National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender, and FBI checks after an offer is made.
• 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 ankle- to knee-deep water, able to swim, and comfortable working on boats.
• Be comfortable working outdoors year-round in all weather conditions, including cold, heat, high humidity, and rain.
• Be comfortable lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds.
• Be comfortable working with or around power and hand tools, or willing to learn to operate them safely.
• Be willing to operate state-owned SUVs and trucks.
• Follow strict laboratory and field safety procedures and sampling protocols, including laboratory best practices.
• To drive an SCA motor vehicle: have a current, valid license for the vehicle type; at least three years of state-permitted and licensed driving experience; be at least 21; pass an MVR check upon hire and annually; and pass SCA driver training, including online and behind-the-wheel assessment.

Nice To Haves

• Opportunity to sign up for additional training, such as meeting facilitation, plant identification, or canoeing.

Responsibilities

• Support calibration, deployment, maintenance, and troubleshooting of water quality monitoring instruments, including monthly instrument swaps and deployments at sites on the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers.
• Support maintenance of weather stations along the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers.
• Collect and process water quality samples for chemical analysis.
• Support partner organizations operating water and weather monitoring stations.
• Support data quality assurance and quality control activities.
• Help produce outreach and educational materials using water quality and weather data.
• Provide field and/or laboratory support for Research team projects as needed, including tide station operation and maintenance, vegetation monitoring, innovative research, and collaborative cross-sector projects.
• Assist with Reserve educational programs as needed.
• Participate in SCA Corps-wide training and service projects.
• Complete AmeriCorps reporting requirements, including timesheets, monthly reports, education pre- and post-tests when applicable, and evaluations at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the term.
• Complete required online training for New York State employees and contractors, laboratory safety training, and boater safety training.
• Operate an SCA motor vehicle as required and meet the associated licensing, experience, training, and motor vehicle record requirements.

Benefits

• Free housing may be available through a lottery, or a $1,000/month housing allowance for positions outside NYC.
• $500/week living allowance.
• $7,395 AmeriCorps education award 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 student loans.
• Training opportunities in risk management, mental health first aid, wilderness first aid and CPR, environmental education, environmental leadership, Hudson River ecology, Leave No Trace, professional development, and job readiness.

What This Job Offers

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