Parks and Trails Assistant (PO-00734728)

This position requires that you become enrolled in AmeriCorps.  If you are selected for this program please be sure to accept AmeriCorps during the SCA offer process. No travel allowance will be offered for this position even if it is stated on your confirmation of acceptance.
 
Due to Covid-19, events and trainings are subject to change in response to an increase in the number of cases in the Hudson Valley region. Such changes include, but are not limited to: trainings being held remotely, elimination of large-scale gatherings, and a reduction of education programs.

Conditions of Employment Required to demonstrate full vaccination status for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized or FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine; OR Receive from SCA a reasonable accommodation granting an exemption from vaccine requirements based on a medical disability or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Additional information and instructions regarding how to request a reasonable accommodation will be provided at the time of selection.

SCA Hudson Valley AmeriCorps partners with State and non-profit agencies to address the conservation needs of the Hudson River Watershed region. Corps members are placed at individual host sites, where service activities range from providing environmental education to underserved youth, to restoring streambanks along the Hudson River, and beyond. Members join together regularly for trainings, service projects, or other events.

Purpose of the Program:

Scenic Hudson is a regional Hudson Valley land trust and environmental organization that operates throughout 10 counties in New York, from Albany to New York City. We welcome thousands of annual visitors to our parks and preserves each year.

Purpose of the Program:
Scenic Hudson is a regional Hudson Valley land trust and environmental organization that operates throughout 10 counties in New York, from Albany to New York City. We welcome thousands of annual visitors to our parks and preserves each year.
The Parks and Community Engagement Team works to:
-Connect people to the Hudson River and other natural assets.
-Make our parks models of environmental stewardship that meet the needs of communities they serve.
-Use our parks as “outdoor classrooms’ to teach youth about their community’s natural environment and ways to help protect and improve it.

Community Needs that the Program Serves:
Scenic Hudson is a regional Hudson Valley land trust and environmental organization that operates throughout 10 counties in New York from Albany to New York City. We welcome thousands of annual visitors to our parks and preserves each year. Scenic Hudson preserves  land and farms and creates parks that connect people with the inspirational power of the Hudson River, while fighting threats to the river and natural resources that are the foundation of the valley’s prosperity. A crusader for the valley since 1963, we are credited with saving fabled Storm King Mountain from a destructive industrial project and launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. Today with more than 25,000 ardent supporters, we are the largest environmental group focused on the Hudson River Valley. To date Scenic Hudson has created or enhanced more than 65 parks, preserves and historic sites up and down the Hudson River and conserved nearly 40,000 acres. www.scenichudson.org
Values and Standards of the Program: SCA’s mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.
AmeriCorps Member Duties and Responsibilities:
To provide land stewardship to Scenic Hudson’s Parks and Properties by weekly visitation and monitoring. To assist with park maintenance related projects. Work will include frequent and regular visitation to Scenic Hudson parks (75% independently, 25% supervised) to ensure a high level of cleanliness and order. This includes routine visitation to inspect and maintain the park’s gateway, trail system, infrastructure and other public amenities. This includes but is not limited to the use of power and hand tools and a basic level of experience with the use of these tools is required. When in the field, the Parks and Trails Assistant is expected to engage visitors in a friendly manner to answer questions, describe Scenic Hudson’s mission and park rules, interpret ecological and historical resources. The assistant will monitor trail conditions and develop work logs that will be entered into our database. They will communicate any issues found in the field to other parks team members, and report findings and work outcomes at weekly parks team meetings. The candidate will also assist with Scenic Hudson programming and events that may require them to work occasional evening and weekend hours. 
Routine visitation of Scenic Hudson parks to maintain cleanliness; ensure informational kiosks are clean of debris and dirt; regularly monitor and maintain all park trails including adhering to a trail lopping schedule; work with members of the Climate, Science and Stewardship Team from to help control invasive plants; inspect and repair infrastructure (i.e., benches, bridges, boardwalks, kiosks, entry signs) and respond to issues of vandalism and graffiti; learn to identify park and trail improvement projects and work with field staff to implement them. (50%) Assist with the management of parks and other lands owned by Scenic Hudson. This includes, but is not limited to removing potential safety hazards, monitoring and securing boundaries, mowing and gateway maintenance of properties, etc. (25%) Administrative organization (timesheets, reporting, meetings,etc), safety training, and maintaining field observations into our work log. (Approximately 1 day per week) (10%) Assist other Parks and Community Engagement Team members with public events and programming in Scenic Hudson parks when needed. (5%) Participate in all SCA Corps-wide trainings and service projects, as well as project evaluation and reporting. (10%)
How the AmeriCorps Member’s Role Aligns with the Organization:
By learning and performing the position’s responsibilities, the member will work towards Scenic Hudson’s Parks Team Goals by:

• Connecting People to the Hudson River and its Assets
• Connecting People to Scenic Hudson’s Parks through events and volunteer opportunities
• Maintaining Scenic Hudson Parks as models of Sustainable Management and Stewardship

Performance Goals for the AmeriCorps Member:
Goal 1: Cultivate skills in project and time management, including but not limited to work order list management, communication and organization, office duties (time sheets, emails, project follow ups, team meetings, and reporting field inspections/observations).
Goal 2: Learn how to monitor, identify, and fix trail maintenance issues, use the proper hand/power tools and equipment correctly, and work effectively with staff and volunteers to improve trail conditions.

Goal 3: Through professional development (working within the SCA network and the Scenic Hudson work experience), develop a plan for employment post-internship. 
Candidate Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license of at least 3 years with a clean driving record.
• Ability to pass a federal background check
• Minimum of Associate’s Degree or one year’s work in the field of environmental science; land, natural or recreational resource management or related field
• Ability to perform physical work outdoors in a variety of settings including urban and semi-remote locations in varying weather conditions independently and as part of a group.
• Interest in recreation resource management, trail work, and public access issues
• Must be physically able to walk 4+ miles a day over varied terrain and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Position requires frequent exposure to potentially harmful biotic factors including poison ivy, stinging & biting insects and ticks carrying Lyme Disease.
• Applicant must provide their own transportation.
• Applicant will be required to use their personal vehicle to travel to office, workshop, and job sites (will be reimbursed at .62/mile).

Skills/Knowledge/Training Necessary to be a successful AmeriCorps Member in this position:     

• Excellent organizational, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills are required. Being personable and enthusiastic, working within a team setting for a common goal as well as being able to work independently is critical. Candidate must be comfortable working and driving independently throughout 10 counties to various parks for work. Applicant must have a positive attitude and a desire to enhance the natural world. Applicant must express the desire to learn how to manage multiple parks and trails and use power tools.

Skills:      

• Previous experience in working on publicly used lands, parks and preserves, natural resource fieldwork, or leading volunteer groups is helpful.

Knowledge:       

• Basic Small Engines mechanics, Trail Maintenance, invasive species identification, and GIS are all a plus.

Training:      

• Game of Logging Certification, Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Grip Hoist Use and Maintenance (all provided or available during the internship through SCA/HVC).

Benefits:

• All Hudson Valley Corps members receive a taxable $300/week living allowance
• Housing is provided for this position
• Upon successful completion of the term, members receive a taxable Full-time Segal Education Award through AmeriCorps.
• Student loan forbearance and interest repayments for federal student loan through AmeriCorps.
• Eligible for free health insurance
• Eligible for childcare assistance through AmeriCorps

Training Opportunities:
All Hudson Valley Corps members receive Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Hudson River Citizen Science curricula, Trail Skills, Project WILD curricula, and professional development. Optional trainings include Leave No Trace, American Canoe Association Quick Start Your Canoe, and other opportunities that arise.