SCA Environmental Educator (NYC)

New York Corps- NYC Regional Environmental Educator

#PO-00800486-MEM | Posted 11/05/2024

Job Description

Position Summary 

If you love a job where each day brings something new, this job is for you! Join us in traveling to different state parks around New York City leading programs like our regular toddler storytimes, guided bird walks, free fishing clinics and more! We balance hosting monthly public programs and school field trips; all highlighting the unique urban ecosystem.

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.

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 and transportation 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. Engage in outreach to the public. Help to design and distribute marketing materials.

6. Assist with general upkeep of facilities, including but not limited to, designing and creating new exhibits and handling live animals.

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

8. Other duties as assigned by management based on the operational needs of regional parks and facilities.

Goal 1: Write, prepare, conduct, and evaluate at least one new program or event for at least one of our regional parks.

Goal 2: Create at least one exhibit, design new program material, or create a set of social media posts for the Marsha P Johnson State Park Instagram & Facebook

Goal 3: Design, plan, and implement one lasting impact project at a State Park of your choice in the NYC Region.

Marginal Duties 

Required Qualifications 

• Member MUST enjoy working with children

• Member MUST be able to work independently and with a team

• Member MUST be willing to work a varied schedule (including weekends, nights)

• Member MUST be willing to regularly spend up to 4 hours traveling in a day between sites 

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

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

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

• 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.