HVA River Information and Outreach (RIO) Steward Internship

The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) is seeking applicants to fill three River Information & Outreach (RIO) Stewards positions, available for summer 2022. This position is for weekends only. The RIO Stewards will work 8-hour days on Saturday and Sunday (approximately 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for a minimum of 12 weeks (June 18 to September 4, 2022). (Please apply even if you cannot work until September 4- these dates can be flexible for the right candidate!)

In 2018, HVA launched the RIO program as a response to reports of high visitor density at non-state, non-federal Housatonic River access sites in northwest Connecticut. These sites have fewer amenities in place (e.g., trash receptacles, restrooms), and dense crowds can negatively impact sites by contributing to litter and erosion. The overall goal of the RIO program is to preserve the outstanding natural character of Housatonic River access sites and ensure safe and equitable access, with a specific objective of engaging with the public to inform about responsible use of access sites (e.g., Leave No Trace principles).

Position Description

The 2022 RIO Stewards will be supervised by HVA’s Conservation Project Managers. The work will be almost entirely field based, as the Stewards travel among priority river access sites, with approximately 10% office work (data entry and cleaning). RIO Stewards will be based out of the HVA office in Cornwall Bridge, CT.

Each weekend, RIO Stewards will travel as a team among the high-priority river access sites along Route 7 (Gaylordsville up to Falls Village, CT, see map). While at the sites, Stewards will engage with site visitors, conducting informal outreach and ensuring that visitors are aware of the site rules and best practices. Stewards will also collect data (e.g., car counts), which will help us better understand how sites are being used.

Additional tasks will include litter clean-up and helping out with community engagement events. There may also be opportunities to work with HVA staff members and community partners to develop more effective outreach materials and strategies.

Working together for public river recreation that is safe, equitable, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.

Qualifications

This position would be a great fit for someone interested in outdoor recreation, park management, and/or the human dimensions of natural resource management. Candidates should be passionate about conservation and able to succeed as part of a two-person team. In addition, the ideal candidate will possess:

• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to approach and engage with strangers;
• Familiarity with recreation management and/or previous experience related to high visitor density in natural areas;
• Ability to represent HVA in a professional manner;
• Ability to work weekends
• Spanish and/or Portuguese fluency is a plus

Requirements: Daily access to a reliable personal vehicle is a requirement of the position (HVA does not have a field vehicle, so all field work will be done in personal cars with mileage reimbursements.)

How to apply:

Application Procedure: Submit the following materials via email (as a single PDF, titled “[YourLastName]_RIOSteward”) to Lindsay Larson at Lkeenereck.hva@gmail.com:

• COVER LETTER explaining your interest and qualifications
• RESUME
• CONTACT INFORMATION FOR TWO (2) PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed and positions filled on a rolling basis, so we encourage interested individuals to apply early. We intend to fill all positions by May 1, at the latest.