New York Corps- Stream Stewardship Assistant

AmeriCorps Member Position Information

Purpose of the Program: The Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District (GCSWCD) and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) work cooperatively with local municipalities and landowners to protect water quality within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed, through the Schoharie Watershed Stream Management Program (SWSMP). The Schoharie Reservoir watershed is the area of land where the surface and groundwaters drain to the Schoharie Reservoir, which is one of 19 reservoirs within the New York City Water Supply System. The Schoharie Reservoir watershed is approximately 315 square miles in size, spans across portions of three counties (Greene County, Delaware County, and Schoharie County), and includes over 700 miles of stream, of which nearly 540 miles are located within Greene County. The Schoharie Reservoir watershed is located in the Catskill Mountains and is part of the New York City West-of-Hudson Water Supply Watershed. The entire New York City Water Supply System provides over one billion gallons of clean drinking water to over 9 million residents in New York City and some smaller municipalities (nearly half the population of New York State).

The SWSMP is one of four stream management teams working within the New York City West-of-Hudson Water Supply Watershed in close collaboration, funded and supported by the DEP Stream Management Program. The SWSMP was established in 1996 as a partnership program with GCSWCD and DEP. Through this program, the GCSWCD and DEP work cooperatively with local municipalities and landowners to provide many services to the local communities within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed, while also contributing to the protection of a public drinking water supply that reaches a larger population within New York State. The SWSMP seeks to advance watershed management projects, policies, and programs to improve and protect the Schoharie Reservoir watershed. Some of the SWSMP initiatives include the Stream Management Implementation Program (SMIP), the Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative (CSBI), stream and floodplain restoration projects, stream and watershed assessments, and education and outreach programs.

Community Needs that the Program Serves: The SWSMP aims to protect water quality through the management, protection, and restoration of stream corridors, floodplains, and riparian buffer ecosystems, while helping communities to protect public safety and infrastructure near stream systems. The SWSMP provides communities within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed with the following:

. stream corridor, road-stream crossing, and other watershed assessments

. management plans for several major streams within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed

. technical assistance for landowners, municipal officials, and highway departments

. assistance with the design and implementation of streambank stabilization projects using Natural Channel Design concepts

. assistance with the design and implementation of riparian buffer projects

. assistance with efforts to conduct Local Flood Analyses for population centers of watershed communities

. assistance with the design and implementation of highway and infrastructure projects

. education and outreach in stream stewardship for watershed communities

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 Stream Stewardship Assistant will assist the GCSWCD and DEP in assessing, restoring, and protecting Catskill Mountain streams within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed through the implementation of the SWSMP. Key responsibilities include collecting and analyzing field data, participating in educational outreach, and contributing to stream management and restoration efforts. The listed responsibilities and tasks are representative but not exhaustive; additional duties of a similar nature may be assigned.

Fieldwork duties include:

. Conducting stream corridor, road-stream crossings, and other watershed assessments using GPS or survey equipment for data collection and identification of management needs.

. Monitoring projects through topographic, longitudinal, and cross section survey, photo documentation, pebble counts, bar sampling, and vegetation monitoring.

. Maintaining native plant supplies at GCSWCD's nursery.

. Supporting and maintaining riparian buffer plantings, stream restoration projects, and highway and infrastructure projects.

Data processing and analysis responsibilities:

. Remote sensing and map development prior to site visits and other field activities.

. Post-processing and analyzing field data, predominantly using ESRI ArcGIS and Microsoft Excel.

. Assisting with report writing for stream corridor assessments, project monitoring, and design reports.

Education and outreach tasks:

. Developing educational materials such as newsletters, public service announcements, and brochures.

. Assisting with community outreach to engage stakeholders within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed.

. Participation in the annual Greene County Youth Fair.

Approximate time allocation for duties and responsibilities throughout the term:

. 40%: Field data collection (stream corridor assessments, vegetation monitoring, and reference reach and restoration project monitoring

. 20%: Supporting stream restoration, riparian plantings, and maintaining native plant inventory

. 15%: Data processing and report development

. 15%: Creating educational materials, assisting with coordination and presentation of educational programs, public workshops, and events

. 10%: Participation in SCA Hudson Valley Corps events and administrative tasks

How the AmeriCorps Member's Role Aligns with the Organization:

Performance Goals for the AmeriCorps Member:

Goal 1:

To support SWSMP staff at GCSWCD with the following field work:

. Participate in stream assessment techniques

. Participate in stream restoration efforts

. Participate in project monitoring

. Participate in native plant maintenance

Goal 2:

To support SWSMP staff at GCSWCD with the following data processing, data analysis, and report writing efforts:

. Complete GIS projects related to stream management and conservation

. Record and analyze field-collected data

. Contribute to the development of project reports and management plans

Goal 3:

To support SWSMP staff at GCSWCD with the following education and outreach efforts:

. Mobilize volunteers for stream restoration activities (e.g., streamside tree plantings)

. Educate local community members (youth and adults) about watershed issues, conservation, and stream management

. Contribute to the development of educational materials

AmeriCorps Member Qualifications:

• Is the member a High School graduate, GED recipient or working towards attaining a high school Diploma or GED?
• Does member agree to obtain either a high school diploma or a GED before using their education award?
• Does member agree to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Criminal History Check as outlined in §2522.202?
• Does member adhere to all member eligibility requirements in §2522.200(a) [1]

List any specific qualifications for AmeriCorps member: Associate or Bachelor of Science / Associate or Bachelor of Arts in environmental science/engineering, watershed management, geology, hydrology, botany, or related field.

Skills/Knowledge/Training Necessary to be a successful AmeriCorps Member in this position:

Skills: Candidates must have strong interpersonal and communication skills. The candidates should be capable of performing physical activities in challenging outdoor settings and able to work in fast moving streams while operating field equipment. The candidates that have educational or work experience with field data collection, survey techniques, use of a GPS, and experience with the installation of native vegetation on riparian restoration sites are preferred. Candidates should have experience or training in ArcGIS. Personal transportation to the main office is required, although transportation to work sites is usually provided.

Knowledge: Candidates should have a working knowledge of watershed science and streams, a background in conservation science and a basic understanding of field data collection techniques and data analysis.

Training: During the term of service, the Stream Stewardship Assistant should receive training in stream assessment techniques, GIS, and/or AutoCAD, either through training programs or on-the-job training. The specific training program(s) will be identified once the member begins their term.

Term of Service

Position Start Date: May 23rd, 2025

Position End Date: Friday, October 31st, 2025

AmeriCorps Slot Type: Full Time

Schedule: M-F 8:00AM to 4:30PM

Number of Training Hours To be Met (As required by 45 CFR §2520.50):[2] shall not exceed 340 hours

List any national, state or local service projects or events that are included as part of service:

Earth Day/Arbor Day

I Love My Park Day

National Trails Day

Patriots Day of Service and Remembrance

A Day in the Life of the Hudson River

Describe orientation process and training for member on prohibited and unallowable activities: Members will receive an AmeriCorps orientation which includes training on prohibited and unallowable activities, risk management, reporting requirements, benefits, and more.

Describe professional, personal, or service-related member development activities and training to be provided for member:

AmeriCorps and SCA Orientation

SCA Risk Management

Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace

Mental Health First Aid Training

Wilderness First Aid & CPR

Education Curriculum

Leadership Institute

New York State Outdoor Educator Association Conferences/Events

Hudson River Ecology

Leave No Trace Trainer Course

Professional Development & Job Readiness

Benefits

Amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award being offered for successful completion of the member's term of service: $3697.50

Amount of Living Allowance member will receive:

$435/week, and

Free housing provided, or

$1,000/month housing allowance for positions outside of NYC

$1,100/month housing allowance for positions located in NYC

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.

Evaluating and Reporting

Dates member will be evaluated: A Mid-term evaluation will be completed by site supervisor at the mid-point of a members' term of service. An End of Term evaluation will be completed by site supervisor at the members' end of service.

Reporting Requirements (Please Describe):

• Timesheets submitted: Weekly/Bi-weekly via SCA's timekeeping system, ADP

• Monthly Data Reports: Members are required to submit weekly output reports; training is provided at Orientation.

• Quarterly Narrative Reports: Member narratives are collected on a monthly basis in the members' output report.

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.