Individual Placement - New York - Outdoor Educator

Position Summary 

Come work at the Nature Interpretive Center nestled in our beautiful 265-acre forested park on Staten Island! You’ll learn how to teach a large variety of programs for all ages including our weekly toddler story time, maple syruping, investigating pond macroinvertebrates, bird walks, and more! SCA Members help run monthly public programs, lead field trips, create exhibits, care for live animals, and contribute to ongoing research of the park’s ecosystems.

Hosting Organization

Clay Pit Ponds State Park NYS OPRHP

Location 

Staten Island, NY

• This position is primarily in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are available within 30 minutes. Interactions with members of the public are regular and frequent.
• This position may conduct work in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are readily accessible. Interactions with members of the public are regular and frequent.
• This position may conduct work in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible but may be delayed by 1-2 hours. Access to public transportation at work site is limited or not possible. Cell phone reception is limited, spotty, or not available.

Schedule 

January 25, 2027 - November 19, 2027

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

1. Assist educators in planning, setting up, teaching, and evaluating in-person programs and workshops. Lead interpretive hikes on forested trails. 2. Design education content that motivates, inspires, and informs across a wide variety of digital platforms using a variety of media, including but not limited to social media posts, exhibits, program signage, etc.

3. Design, plan, and implement one lasting impact project at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve.

4. Assist with the creation of program materials. Keep materials organized and catalogued to maintain inventory.

5. Conduct research and perform field work to support education programs, community science, and stewardship such as wildlife surveys and invasive species removal.

6. Assist with maple syrup production and education.

7. Assist with maintenance and programming at the historic Gericke Farm. 8. Assist with general Nature Interpretive Center upkeep including but not limited to, designing and creating new exhibits, handling and caring for live animals, pollinator garden maintenance, greeting and interacting with visitors, and composting.

Marginal Duties 

1. Other duties as assigned by management based on the facilities’ operational needs.

2. Spend at least one workday each month with the region’s Stewardship Team removing invasive species and conducting research.

3. Travel to other State Parks throughout NYC to assist with special events.

Required Qualifications 

• Member Evaluation: A Mid-term evaluation will be completed by site supervisor at the mid-point of a members’ term of service. An End of Term evaluation will be completed by site supervisor at the members’ end of service.

• Reporting Requirements: Members are required to submit timesheets on a Weekly/Bi-weekly basis via SCA’s timekeeping system, ADP

• Monthly Data Reports: Members are required to submit weekly output reports; training is provided at Introduction.

• Quarterly Narrative Reports: Member narratives are collected on a monthly basis in the members’ output report.

• Include any additional requirements:

o Member must have a valid driver’s license and be comfortable with operating state vehicles.

o Member must be willing to live in provided housing at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve. o Member must be able to lift 30 lbs.

o Member must be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

o Member must be willing to handle and care for live animals.

o Member must enjoy working with children.

o Member must be able to work independently and with a team.

o Member must be willing to work a varied schedule (including weekends and nights).

This position is part of a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program and if you are selected, you will be serving as an SCA AmeriCorps member. To be eligible for this position you must meet these basic AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements:

• Being a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States;

• Being at least 18 years or older;

• Having a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to complete;

• Being willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks conducted after position is offered.

Preferred Qualifications 

Knowing your native flora and fauna to the region will be beneficial!

Working Conditions

• Work schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous.
• Work settings require the ability to positively interact with people of varying perspectives.
• Work settings may be located in natural environments and regionally significant locations that require respect for the land and local peoples.
• Work environment may be in inclement and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, lightning events, and/or decreased or inclement air quality conditions due to wildfire smoke or smog.
• Work may take place in warm temperatures and adverse heat conditions which could include temperatures in some regions up to 110°F or hotter.
• Work settings may involve exposure to natural and environmental hazards, such as poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac; harmful, poisonous, or disease-carrying ticks, mosquitos, insects, snakes, bears, and other wildlife.
• Work may take place in cold temperatures and adverse winter weather which could include temperatures in some regions -20°F or colder with wind, snow, and sleet. 

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

• Free housing provided: Member is provided free housing at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve on Staten Island, NY.

• Member will live at the historic Gericke Farm’s farmhouse (4-bedroom, 1 bathroom) with 2 other SCA members.

Compensation  

$500/Week

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Personal travel will require a personal vehicle. 

Driving

Driving an OPRHP Vehicle is required for this position.

To be able to drive a motor vehicle for the NY OPRHP, you must:

Possess a current and valid driver’s license for the type of vehicle which they are operating.

Provide your State Driver's Abstract from your State's DMV (reimbursable)

Pass New York State OPRHP Driver Training

Additional Benefits 

o Member AmeriCorps and SCA Orientation: Members will receive an AmeriCorps orientation which includes training on prohibited and unallowable activities, risk management, reporting requirements, benefits, and more

o SCA Risk Management

o Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace

o Mental Health First Aid Training

o Wilderness First Aid & CPR

o Project WILD & Project AQUATIC

o New York State Outdoor Educator Association Conferences/Events

o Hudson River Ecology

o Leave No Trace Level 1

o Professional Development & Job Readiness

o Service events including but not limited to: Earth Day/Arbor Day, I Love My Park Day, National Trails Day, Patriots Day of Service and Remembrance, A Day in the Life of the Hudson River

o Health Insurance

o AmeriCorps: Eligible/Required

Equal Opportunity Statement 

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.