Mid-Hudson Young Environmental Scientists (MH-YES) Program Coordinator

Program Description:

The Mid-Hudson Young Environmental Scientists (MH-YES) program is a tiered mentorship field research experience for twelve high school students local to Dutchess County, New York. Students are mentored by two undergraduate students, a high school teacher, and two scientists from Cary Institute and Marist College. Teams conduct research on pertinent issues concerning the ecology of watersheds in the Hudson Valley, such as emerging pollutants in Hudson River waterways, influences of contaminants on the ecology and hydrology of soils, and habitat modification in streams. MH-YES takes place at Cary Institute along the Wappinger Creek in Millbrook, and Marist College and field sites along the Fall Kill Creek in Poughkeepsie. Community partners enrich the participants’ experience with workshops and field trips.

Program Coordinator Description:

The Program Coordinator will facilitate preparation and overall functioning of the MH-YES 2022 summer program. Prior to the program, the Coordinator will prepare materials, tools, and supplies as well as design and implement evaluation surveys. During the three-week program, the Coordinator will facilitate day-to-day activities alongside the program mentors, cultivating an organized, supportive, and positive learning environment while the participants perform field research about watershed ecology. The Coordinator is integral to ensuring that MH-YES reaches its programmatic goals while supporting students and mentors in their learning, skill development, and relationship building. After the program concludes, the Coordinator will play an important role in documenting and evaluating the program. 

The MH-YES Coordinator position is an ideal opportunity for someone wishing to build and apply diverse skills and knowledge related to ecology, education, mentorship, community outreach, and program management. One of the benefits of this role is the chance to coordinate a youth field science program from beginning to end and build skills in organization, collaboration, and communication. The Coordinator will be trained in scientific research and mentoring of high school and undergraduate students, in addition to conducting hands-on lab and field research in aquatic and terrestrial ecology. It’s an ideal opportunity to collaborate and learn from a wonderful network of scientists, educators, and students. Over the course of the program, the Coordinator will be able to collaborate and learn from a wonderful network of scientists, educators, and students.

Duration: This is a full time, 7-8 week position from July 11 or 18 through September 2, with additional part time work up to 16 hours in May, June and early July for program planning and orientation. 

Responsibilities:

• May-early July (up to 16 hours)
  • Support planning and scheduling of the program with the MH-YES Program Director, Program Leader, and the scientist, teacher, and undergraduate mentors.
  • Assist the Program Leader with final high school student selection in late May.
  • Plan the participant mentorship workshop with the Program Director and Program Leader.
• 3-4 weeks before program (July 11 or 18-August 5)
  • Organize supplies and tools and set up the education space at Cary Institute. Purchase additional supplies and print materials (e.g., data sheets) as needed.
  • Prepare orientation activities for students and mentors in the week preceding the program.
  • Review and analyze past program participant surveys and interviews.
  • Develop new pre- and post-program participant surveys and interviews.
• During 3-week program (August 8-27): 
  • Support the carpooling of students before and after the program each day in a Cary Institute-provided vehicle.
  • Help maintain a healthy and safe environment for all participants, which includes cultivating positive relationships among students.
  • Encourage and motivate students, as well as create a welcoming and inclusive environment for what may be their very first field experience.
  • Work collaboratively and facilitate clear communication and understanding among scientists, educators, and students.
  • Coordinate with community partner organizations who provide enrichment activities throughout the program (e.g., science communication workshop, history of the Fall Kill Creek, etc.).
  • Facilitate the day-to-day structure, which includes a morning ‘welcome’ (an overview of the day) and ‘closing’ of each day (debrief) with activities that encourage student and mentor reflection. 
  • Manage the shared Google Drive system to be used for the duration of the program, which includes organizing, documenting and archiving field data as well as participant survey and interview data pre- and post-program.
• One week after program concludes (August 29-September 2):
  • Clean education space and tools, and reorganize program materials with support from the Cary undergraduate mentor.
  • Complete documentation, evaluation, and reporting of the program.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Environmental Science Education, or related field
• Ability to provide own transportation
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate an education program, which requires excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and punctuality
• Experience working with students with diverse backgrounds
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences
• Desire to mentor and serve as a positive role model for high school and undergraduate students in field environmental science research about watershed ecology
• Demonstrated ability and desire to collaborate effectively in a team setting
• Willingness to work outdoors the majority of the three-week program
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Ability to drive a Cary Institute-provided 7-passenger minivan

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching experience in formal and/or informal settings
• Field research experience from college, internships, or jobs
• Background and interest in aquatic and terrestrial components of a watershed (e.g., water quality, hydrology, soil microbial ecology, soil chemistry, etc.)
• Spanish proficiency (conversational) or fluency
• First aid and CPR training
• Living in or near Dutchess County, New York (on-site housing for a reasonable fee may be available)

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is a temporary, hourly, non-exempt, non-benefited position.

Starting dates: Part time: May 16 (flexible); Full time: preferred start date is July 11 but no later than July 18. 

Contact Information: For additional information about this job opening, please contact the hiring manager, Ashley Alred, at  (845) 677-7600 ext. 321.

Closing Date: Position will remain open until May 13, 2022 or until filled. 

Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. Finalist candidates must complete a background check.

Cary Institute & COVID-19: You must provide proof of full vaccination with an FDA authorized vaccine. Please direct questions to your healthcare professional.

How to apply:

Visit our website at https://www.caryinstitute.org/about/careers-cary?bzid=b7530c3502d8 and complete our online job application. Please attach one document which includes a cover letter, resume and the names and full contact information (including email address) for three professional references.

The Cary Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.