SCA Environmental Educator (Clay Pit Ponds State Park, Staten Island)

New York Corps- Environmental Educator

#PO-00800489-MEM | Posted 11/05/2024

Job Description

Position Summary 

Come work at the Nature Interpretive Center nestled into our beautiful forested park on Staten Island: Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve! You’ll learn how to teach a large variety of programs, from our weekly toddler story times, to maple syruping, to investigating pond macroinvertebrates! SCA Members help run monthly public programs and during the week lead school field trips.

The mission of the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural historic and cultural resources. Because of the density of development, the New York City region has limited local open space and natural resource areas. There is steadily increasing interest in accessing such resources by the general public and local schools.

NYC public schools are under increasing pressure to enhance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programming. In the continuing wake of the pandemic, people have flocked to parks. New patrons to our parks increasingly need accessible educational resources that promote stewardship and safe recreation practices.

Schedule 

January 20, 2025 - November 21, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

1. Assist environmental educators in planning, setting up, teaching, and evaluating in-person programs and workshops. Lead interpretive hikes on forested trails.

2. Design environmental education content that motivates, inspires, and informs across a wide variety of digital platforms using a variety of media.

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

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

5. Manage a farm plot and provide care and upkeep of resident chickens at the historic Gericke Farm to support programming.

6. Assist with maple syrup production and education.

7. Engage in outreach to principals, teachers, and the public. Help to design and distribute marketing materials. Aid in volunteer recruitment and coordination. Represent NY State Parks at large events.

8. Assist with general Nature Interpretive Center upkeep including, but not limited to: designing and creating new exhibits, handling and caring for live animals, garden maintenance, greeting and interacting with visitors, and composting.

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

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

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

Goal 1: Write, prepare, conduct, and evaluate one new program or event at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve.

Goal 2: Create one exhibit to be installed in the Nature Interpretive Center.

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

Marginal Duties 

Required Qualifications 

- Member MUST be able to lift 30 lbs

- Member MUST be willing to work outdoors year-round and in all weather conditions.

- Member MUST be willing to handle and care for live animals.

- Member MUST be willing to live in provided housing at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve.

- Member MUST have a valid driver’s license and be comfortable with operating state vehicles

- Member must be willing and able to speak publicly to audiences of all ages, from infants to adults.

Preferred Qualifications 

- A creative background in art, design, graphic arts, marketing, etc. is very helpful in this position

- Knowledge of local species and ecology; knowledge of environmental issues

Hours 

40 per week

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits 

First Aid/CPR

Wilderness First Aid Training

Health Insurance

LNT Level 1 Certification

Mental Health First Aid

$100 Professional Development Stipend

Environmental Leadership Institute

AmeriCorps: Eligible/Required

Equal Opportunity Statement 

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. 

 Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.