Individual Placement - Water Quality Monitoring Member

Position Summary 

The Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve’s (HRNERR) mission is to improve the health of the Hudson River Estuary by conserving estuarine habitats through integrated education, training, stewardship, restoration, monitoring, and research programs. The Hudson River Environmental Conditions Observing System (HRECOS) is a collaborative water quality monitoring program based at HRNERR. HRECOS is operated by a consortium of academic, nonprofit, and government partners who are committed to providing real-time information about the Hudson River to the public. The SCA member will have the opportunity to work alongside the HRECOS program coordinator to support calibration, maintenance, and deployment of water quality and weather monitoring equipment, collect water quality samples, and participate in other monitoring initiatives at the Research Reserve. The member will also gain experience in producing outreach and educational materials based on collected data.

Hosting Organization

Norrie Point Environmental Center, NYS DEC

Location 

Staatsburg, NY

• This position is primarily in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible, but may be delayed by 1-2 hours. SCA Members regularly interact with members of the public. Access to public transportation at work site is limited or not possible. Cell phone reception maybe limited, spotty, or not available.

Schedule 

January 25, 2027 - November 19, 2027

Weekly Schedule

M-F 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM; occasional and optional weekend work.

Corps members are expected to serve approximately 40 hours a week for a period of 10 months.

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Support the calibration, deployment, maintenance, and troubleshooting of water quality monitoring instrumentation. Includes monthly swapping and deployment of instruments at multiple sites in the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers.
• Support maintenance of weather stations along the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers.
• Support the collection and processing of water quality samples for chemical analysis.
• Support partner organizations in the operation of their water and weather monitoring stations.
• Support data quality assurance and quality control activities.
• Support production of outreach and educational materials using water quality and weather data.
• As needed, provide field and/or laboratory support for Research team projects including but not limited to tide station operation and maintenance, vegetation monitoring, innovative research projects, and collaborative cross-sector projects.
• As needed, assist with Reserve educational programs.
• Participate in all SCA Corps-wide training and service projects. Completion of AmeriCorps reporting requirements including bi-weekly timesheets, monthly reports, pre/post-tests for any education provided, evaluations at the beginning, mid-point, and end of term.

Marginal Duties 

• Reporting Requirements: Members are required to submit timesheets on a Weekly/Bi-weekly basis via SCA’s timekeeping system, ADP • Monthly Data Reports: Members are required to submit weekly output reports; training is provided. • Quarterly Narrative Reports: Member narratives are collected on a monthly basis in the members’ output report. Member will be required to complete the following training: -Online training for New York State employees and contractors -Online and in-person laboratory safety training -Online boater safety training -Member will have opportunity to sign up for additional training(s) that arise (ex. meeting facilitation, plant identification, canoeing)

Required Qualifications 

This position is part of a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program and if you are selected, you will be serving as an SCA AmeriCorps member. To be eligible for this position you must meet these basic AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements:

• Being a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States
• Being at least 18 years or older
• Having a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to complete
• Being willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks conducted after position is offered.
• A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental studies, biology, geology, or other related fields.
• A valid driver’s license and personal vehicle
• Must be comfortable working in ankle to knee deep water
• Must be able to swim o Must be comfortable working on boats o Must be comfortable working outdoors year-round, in all weather conditions including cold, heat, high humidity, and rain
• Must be comfortable lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds
• Must be comfortable working with or around power and hand tools, or willing to learn how to safely operate power and hand tools
• Must be willing to operate state-owned vehicles (SUVs and trucks)
• Must be able to follow strict laboratory and field safety procedures
• Must be able to follow strict protocols for sampling and laboratory best practices

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Free housing provided, OR $1,000/month housing allowance for positions outside of NYC Free housing is available via a lottery system and is not guaranteed. If you require or are interested in free housing, let us know so that you can be entered into the lottery.

Compensation  

• Compensation (weekly living allowance): $500/week
• Minimum AmeriCorps Award: Full-Time Award
• AmeriCorps Hours Requirement: 1700 hours
• Education Award amount upon successful completion of program: $7,395
• Healthcare coverage: Eligible for free health insurance
• Childcare coverage: 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.

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Driving

Driving an SCA motor vehicle is a requirement for this position.

To be able to drive a motor vehicle for the SCA, you must:

• Possess a current and valid driver’s license for the type of vehicle which they are operating.
• Have a minimum of three years of state permitted and licensed driving experience.
• Be a minimum of 21 years old.
• Complete and pass a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check upon hire (or re-hire) and annually, thereafter.
• Able to complete and pass SCA’s driver training, including both online and behind-the-wheel assessment (commentary) components.

Additional Benefits 

Health Insurance

SCA provides the following training opportunities to members:

• Member AmeriCorps and SCA Training: Members will receive an AmeriCorps training on prohibited and unallowable activities, risk management, reporting requirements, benefits, and more
• SCA Risk Management
• Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace
• Mental Health First Aid Training
• Wilderness First Aid & CPR
• Environmental Education Curriculum
• Environmental Leadership Institute
• New York State Outdoor Educator Association Conferences/Events
• Hudson River Ecology
• Leave No Trace Level 1
• Professional Development & Job Readiness
• Service events including but not limited to: 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
• AmeriCorps: Eligible/Required

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.