Hudson Valley Corps- Turtle Conservation Steward

Program Dates: 04/29/24 - 09/30/24

About us:

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

This position requires that you become enrolled in AmeriCorps. If you are selected for this program please be sure to accept AmeriCorps during the SCA offer process. No travel allowance will be offered for this position even if it is stated on your confirmation of acceptance.

Due to Covid-19, events and trainings are subject to change in response to an increase in the number of cases in the Hudson Valley region. Such changes include, but are not limited to: trainings being held remotely, requesting symptomatic members to stay home from events, and asking members to test prior to Corps gatherings.

SCA Hudson Valley AmeriCorps partners with State and non-profit agencies to address the conservation needs of the Hudson River Watershed region. Corps members are placed at individual host sites, where service activities range from providing environmental education to underserved youth, to restoring stream banks along the Hudson River, and beyond. Members join together regularly for trainings, service projects, or other events.

Purpose of the Program:
The mission of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) 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.

Taconic regional stewardship staff is part of the Division of Environmental Stewardship and Planning (DESP) within OPRHP. Environmental stewardship is the responsible use and protection of the natural environment. DESP has identified four main strategic goals that uphold the Agency's guiding principle of conserving, protecting, and enhancing our natural and ecological resources within the park system:

• Protect, Conserve, and Restore Native Biodiversity, Resilient Natural Communities, and Connected Habitats

• Integrate Environmental Stewardship Throughout the Agency and Enhance Communication and Information Sharing

• Improve External Information Sharing and Communication

• Demonstrate Leadership and Foster Employee Excellence in Environmental Stewardship.

Essential Duties:

• Conduct turtle trapping, tracking using radiotelemetry, vegetation surveys, and nest protection and monitoring for turtle hatchlings; collect and organize data related to those activities (60%)
  • Data will be collected using paper datasheets and electronic devices.
  • Radiotelemetry will require evening/night/weekend work during the turtle nesting season (end of May through beginning of July).
  • The member will be expected to coordinate turtle monitoring activities with external partners.
  • The member will work in challenging environmental conditions while carrying gear. Conditions will include heat, biting insects, swamps, mud, uneven terrain, and walking long distances to remote locations.
• Conduct literature reviews and gather information to develop guidance documents, protocols, and reports to be used by regional stewardship staff and partners Create maps using ArcGIS software (15%)
  • Summary reports will be required for all field work.
• Assist with other stewardship projects (10%)
  • E.g., biocontrol release, invasive species mapping and removal, water quality monitoring, potential habitat restoration and plantings, potential monitoring for other wildlife species.
• Participate in SCA trainings, service projects and other member development events (15%)

Community Needs that the Program Serves:
Stewardship of the local environment to support and protect rare, threatened, and endangered species and significant natural communities in New York State Parks and Historic Sites, primarily within the Taconic Region.

Values and Standards of the Program:
SCA's mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.

AmeriCorps Member Duties and Responsibilities:
The turtle conservation steward will work closely with regional and statewide stewardship staffand other Parks staff to meet regional and statewide stewardship goals. The work will focus largely on supporting projects that involve the protection of rare, threatened, and endangered species and natural communities on park lands and historic sites throughout the region. The primary responsibilities of this position will involve assisting in long-term monitoring efforts for the State Threatened Blanding's turtle in Dutchess County. However, other stewardship work may occur in Columbia, Putnam, and Westchester counties.

How the AmeriCorps Member's Role Aligns with the Organization:
The member will play an integral role in the Taconic Region's stewardship program by supporting regional stewardship staff in the management and protection of rare, threatened, and endangered species and significant natural communities at state parks and historic sites throughout the region, in particular working with the State Threatened Blanding's turtle.

Performance Goals for the AmeriCorps Member:
Goal 1: Contribute towards data collection, quality control, analysis, and reporting for the purpose of improving the agency's ability to understand and manage Blanding's turtle populations in the Taconic Region of OPRHP.

Goal 2: Maintain a respectful and collaborative relationship with outside partners to enhance information sharing and maintain effective understanding and management of Blanding's turtle populations in Dutchess County.

Goal 3: Assist in the completion of additional stewardship projects aimed to safeguard and enhance the intrinsic values of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems within New York State Parks and Historic Sites.

Benefits:
Amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award being offered for successful completion of the member's term of service: $3,447.50
Amount of living allowance member will receive:

$350/week living allowance

$1,000/month housing allowance upstate (if housing is not provided)

$1,100/month housing allowance in NYC (if housing is not provided)

Healthcare coverage (if applicable):

Eligible for free health insurance

Childcare coverage (if applicable):

Eligible for childcare assistance through AmeriCorps

Student loan forbearance and interest payments, (if the member qualifies):

Eligible for Federal Student Loan forbearance and interest payment deferment through AmeriCorps for qualifying student loans.

Desired Skills:

• Four-year degree, preferably in Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Conservation Biology, or a related field.
• Must be available to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Must be flexible and adaptable to shifting schedules based on project needs and weather.
• Valid US Driver's License.

Skills:

• General comfort hiking and working outdoors in varying terrain and in all weather conditions, including wading through forested swamps in chest waders while carrying equipment in hot weather.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude while performing light to heavy physical labor in challenging field conditions and demonstrating safe working practices.
• Must have strong organization skills.
• Ability to follow written and verbal protocols and instructions.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with other staff and park patrons.

Knowledge:

• Strong interest in and commitment to environmental stewardship and team-oriented approach to solving environmental challenges.
• Some knowledge and identification skills of flora and fauna, including native wildlife (particularly turtles) and invasive species common to New York State is desirable, but not required.
• A working knowledge of GPS/GIS and ecological monitoring methods is preferred, but not required.
• Experience collecting data and creating/editing maps is a plus, but not required.

Training:

On-the-job training will be provided to ensure the member can fulfill the position duties to the best of their abilities and develop professionally. Training opportunities provided but not limited to:

• Radiotelemetry
• Turtle trapping

GIS/GPS and data collection applications

Candidate Requirements:

• Valid Driver's License for 3 years
• Ability to pass a federal background check and a motor vehicle background check
• Personal Vehicle

Training Opportunities:
All Hudson Valley Corps members receive Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Environmental Leadership Institute, Hudson River Citizen Science curricula, Trail Skills, Project WILD curricula, and professional development. Optional trainings include Leave No Trace, Mental Health First Aid, and other opportunities that arise.