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, requesting symptomatic members to stay home from events, and asking members to test prior to Corps gatherings.
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’s mission is to sustain and enhance the Hudson Valley’s inspirational beauty and health for generations to come. Founded in 1963 to save iconic Storm King Mountain from a destructive industrial project, Scenic Hudson is credited with launching the modern grassroots environmental movement. Today, with more than 25,000 ardent supporters, we are the largest environmental group in the region.
To date, we’ve conserved more than 48,000 acres in 10 counties, including creating more than 40 public parks and enhancing dozens more that provide places for people to relax, enjoy recreation and be inspired by the valley’s natural beauty and heritage.
In the face of new and ongoing challenges — as well as the effects of climate change — we remain committed to making the Hudson Valley a great place to live, work and play by preserving and strengthening the region’s great assets — beautiful open spaces, working farms, and historic cities and town centers. www.scenichudson.org
Community Needs that the Program Serves:
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.
The Parks and Community Engagement Team at Scenic Hudson works to:
- Connect people to the Hudson River and the inspirational natural beauty and health of the Hudson Valley
- Make our parks models of environmental stewardship that meet the needs of communities they serve.
- Preserve the natural value of our parks and preserves, while creating and maintaining safe places for all to enjoy.
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:
Provide land stewardship to Scenic Hudson’s Parks and Properties by weekly visitation and monitoring, and 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, requiring the use of hand and power tools. When in the field, the Parks and Trails Assistant is expected to engage visitors in a friendly manner to answer questions and to provide basic information about Scenic Hudson’s mission and the ecological and historical resources at SH parks. 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 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 will include specific work such as: 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 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. Assist with the management of parks and other lands owned by Scenic Hudson including, but not limited to, removing potential safety hazards, monitoring and securing boundaries, mowing and gateway maintenance, etc. (60%).
- Administrative organization (timesheets, meetings, etc.), safety training, maintaining field observations into our work log (20%).
- Assist other Parks and Community Engagement Team members with public events and programming in Scenic Hudson parks when needed (10%).
- 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:
- Working to sustain and enhance the Hudson Valley’s inspirational beauty and health for generations to come
- 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 post-internship employment.
Candidate Requirements:
· Valid Driver’s License for 3+ years
· Ability to pass a federal background check and a motor vehicle background check
Candidate Qualifications:
- 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 occasionally to job sites (will be reimbursed at .62/mile).
To be a successful AmeriCorps Member in this position, candidate must demonstrate:
- Concise verbal, written, and interpersonal communication
- Ability to work within a team setting as well as independently
- Positive attitude and a desire to be a steward of the environment
- Basic skill using carpentry and landscaping hand tools
- Desire to learn and hone new skills
- Candidate must be comfortable working and driving independently throughout 10 counties to various parks
- Previous experience working in public lands, parks and preserves, natural resource fieldwork, landscaping, carpentry, or leading volunteer groups is helpful
- Basic small engine mechanics, trail maintenance, invasive species identification, and GIS experience are all a plus
- Ability to speak conversational Spanish a plus
Benefits
Amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award being offered for successful completion of the member’s term of service: $6,895
Amount of living allowance member will receive:
$350/week living allowance
$1,000/month housing allowance upstate
$1,100/month housing allowance in NYC
Healthcare coverage (if applicable): Eligible for free health insurance
Childcare coverage (if applicable): Eligible for childcare assistance through AmeriCorps
Student loan forbearance and interest payments, (if the member qualifies): Eligible for Federal Student Loan forbearance and interest payment deferment through AmeriCorps for qualifying student loans.
Training Opportunities:
All Hudson Valley Corps members receive Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Environmental Leadership Institute, Hudson River Citizen Science curricula, Trail Skills, Project WILD curricula, and professional development. Optional trainings include Leave No Trace, Mental Health First Aid, and other opportunities that arise.
Position ID: PO-00736117
Expected Dates: January 22, 2024 - November 18, 2024
Location:
85 Civic Center Plaza
Suite 300
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
US
Handicap Accessible?: No
Main Area of Focus: Backcountry/Trail work
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible
Driving Logistics: Required
A personal vehicle is required to access amenities such as grocery store, libraries, etc. as well as travel to Hudson Valley Corps trainings and events.
Housing or Stipend Provided?
A. Partner will provide suitable housing for the member
Apartment located walking distance to the office shared with 3 other SCA members, each have their own room
Indoor/Outdoor: Outside
US Citizenship: Yes