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Individual Placement - New York - Community Educator

The Student Conservation Association
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Position Summary 

This former landfill turned park supports a native grassland ecosystem beside the natural expanse of Jamacia Bay. By utilizing Shirley Chisholm State Park as a classroom, the person in this position will help strengthen connections between the surrounding community and the nature in their neighborhood through outdoor, recreational, and stewardship programs.

 

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, historical landmarks, community green spaces, and much more across the country.

 

The SCA New York partners with state agencies and nonprofit organizations across the state of New York. SCA New York members serve in 10-month positions alongside conservation professionals, engaging in conservation stewardship projects and education services for the general public.

 

Hosting Organization

Shirley Chisholm State Park

 

 

Location 

Brooklyn, 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 

  • Assist educators in planning, setting up, teaching, and evaluating programs and workshops.
  • Programs topics include grassland ecology, birds, urban ecology, marine/coastal ecology, kayaking, fishing, and the transformation from landfill to park.
  • Design education content that motivates, inspires, and informs people about this urban green space, specifically focusing on long-term community science projects and stewardship.
  • Develop content for a variety of media across various digital platforms.
  • Assist with the creation of program materials. Keep materials organized and cataloged to maintain inventory.
  • Conduct research and perform field work to support education programs, community science, and stewardship i.e. wildlife surveys and invasive species removal.
  • Maintain, and in some cases develop, databases that track ecological data and community science efforts at the park.
  • Engage in connection with the public. Help to design and distribute marketing materials.
  • Assist with general upkeep of facilities. i.e. office space, EE spaces.
  • Spend at least one workday each month with the region’s Stewardship Team removing invasive species from Parks and conducting research.

 

Marginal Duties 

  • Travel to other State Parks throughout NYC to assist with special events.
  • Other duties as assigned by management based on the operational needs of regional parks and facilities.

 

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.

Additional requirements:

  • Member must have a valid driver’s license and be comfortable with operation of a state vehicles.
  • Member must be willing to regularly spend up to 4 hours traveling in a day between sites.
  • Member must be willing to live in provided housing at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve.
  • Member must be able to lift 30 lbs.
  • Member must be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
  • Member must be willing and able to speak publicly to audiences of all ages, from early childhood to adults.
  • Member must be able to work independently and with a team.
  • Member must be willing to work a varied schedule (including occasional 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!

 

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.
  • Members will live at the historic Gericke Farm’s farmhouse (4-bedroom, 1 bathroom) with 2 other SCA members.
  • This position will require daily travel from Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve to Shirley Chisholm State Park using a provided state vehicle.

 

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 

  • 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
  • SCA Risk Management
  • Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace
  • Mental Health First Aid Training
  • Wilderness First Aid & CPR
  • Project WILD & Project AQUATIC
  • New York State Outdoor Educator Association Conferences/Events
  • Hudson River Ecology
  • Leave No Trace Level 1
  • Professional Development & Job Readiness
  • 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
  • Health Insurance
  • AmeriCorps: Eligible/Required

 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

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