Science & Education Associate at Hudson River Park Trust (Wilson Ctr. Funded)

Organization Name: Hudson River Park Trust

Internship Role/Title: Science & Education Associate

Organization Website: www.hudsonriverpark.org 

Address: 353 West St, Pier 40 New York, NY 10014

Duration of Internship: 280 hour commitment (Full-time, 35 hrs/week for 8 weeks)

Eligibility: This Wilson Center funded opportunity is open to all registered Pace students (undergraduate, graduate and international students) that are graduating in Dec. 2026 OR later.

Modality: On-site/In-person

About the Organization: (Please limit your response to 200 words or less) 

Hudson River Park is a 550-acre park and estuarine sanctuary spanning four miles along the west side of Manhattan, from Chambers St. to W 59 St. The largest open space to undergo construction in Manhattan since the completion of Central Park, Hudson River Park has transformed four miles of formerly industrial waterfront into a beloved, urban recreational paradise. 

The Park's River Project conducts research and offers hands-on environmental education with the purpose of communicating the ecological importance of the Park’s 400-acre Estuarine Sanctuary. Visitors are invited to experience the Hudson River Estuary as a living laboratory for community engagement, stewardship and learning.

Each year, the Park’s River Project serves tens of thousands of New Yorkers through dynamic education and stewardship programs. Additionally, the Park's River Project conducts ecological research on fish, oysters, water quality and more.

Position Overview: (Provide an overview of the role and its purpose in 4–6 sentences) 

Science & Education Associates will be a part of the Park’s River Project team, which is the science and education department within Hudson River Park Trust, and work alongside other Trust full-time and seasonal staff. Associates will teach hands-on environmental education field trip and public drop-in programs that reach thousands of people each year. As part of their ongoing tasks, Associates will support Park research and be engaged in the maintenance of the Wetlab aquarium which houses local fish species. Additionally, Associates will have the opportunity to develop self-guided resources to be utilized in the Park’s educational spaces.

Key Responsibilities: (Use bullet points to clearly outline the major tasks and responsibilities 5–7 items preferred). 

• Teach the Park’s environmental education programs through summer camp field trips focused on River wildlife, shoreline ecology, plankton microscopy and more
• Support the Park’s estuarine research and community science projects on such topics as oysters, fish ecology, marine debris and Park sustainability
• Implement public education programs at both indoor and outdoor locations throughout the Park, including guided tours and open hours at the Wetlab aquarium and Pier 57 Discovery Tank
• Teach catch & release fishing and handle fishing equipment, live fish and bait
• Support the ongoing maintenance of fish tanks and learn to handle live fish and other marine wildlife
• Assist with the development of teaching materials and learning resources to be used in education programs and facilities
• Assist with the maintenance of the Park’s scientific equipment such as fish traps, flow through tank system and oyster structures

Preferred Skills: (please list general hard/soft/technical skills here, a bullet list will suffice)

• Coursework focused on either marine, environmental or biological sciences or education is preferred
• Strong interest in teaching diverse audiences a variety of environmental themes
• Comfort interacting with members of the public in a friendly and professional manner
• Willingness to get muddy, handle live animals, work outside in all weather conditions and practice catch and release fishing
• A valid drivers license or ability to ride a bicycle is preferred

The Ideal Candidate is:

Hudson River Park seeks a Science & Education Associate that is an enthusiastic learner and a great team-player. We look for staff that enjoy working outdoors and have a dedicated work ethic. Ideally, this individual will have some prior experience working with children or the public or prior knowledge of environmental and marine science. Experience interacting with members of the public in a friendly and professional manner is a plus. Overall, we seek team members that have a flexible and adaptive mindset with the ability to multitask given the dynamic environment of a high-traffic urban public park. We would be thrilled to welcome someone from Pace onto our team!