Individual Placement - Estuary Habitat 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 National Estuarine Research Reserve System’s (NERRS) Wetlands and Water Levels (WWL) Program is a comprehensive monitoring framework that assesses coastal habitat responses to changing water levels. In the Hudson River, this includes freshwater and brackish tidal marsh and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) habitats. The Estuary Habitat Monitoring Member will have the opportunity to work in conjunction with the Habitat Researcher to implement the WWL Program. This work will include monitoring tidal wetlands and nearshore aquatic habitats, assisting in the management of a tide station network, and management of a Hudson River-wide community science program aimed at surveying SAV beds.

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 

• Assist in the collection of marsh surface elevation and stability data from Hudson River tidal marshes. Will also include the use of surveying equipment.
• Assist in the collection of tidal wetland plant community data, including percent cover, stem counts, and species identification.
• Assist in the collection of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) habitat data, including percent cover, species identification, and other environmental characteristics.
• Assist with monitoring ecotone shifts within tidal marsh habitats, including the use of field tape measurers, plant identification, and recording other environmental characteristics.
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of new research and monitoring projects within the Hudson River Estuary. May include the calibration and deployment of sensors or equipment, periodic maintenance and/or servicing of these instruments, data retrieval, and data analysis.
• Assist in the preparation of updated Hudson River Estuary Tidal Wetland and SAV Maps. May include interpretation of imagery using specialized software (e.g., ArcGIS), and ground-truthing sites within the Hudson River Estuary via boat.
• Assist in the maintenance of Hudson River tide stations. Includes surveying activities, use of hand and power tools, and maintaining station infrastructure.
• Assist in the implementation of the Hudson River SAV Volunteer Monitoring Program. Will include assisting in volunteer coordination, training, outreach, and data entry.
• Assist in digitizing field sheets and data entry using Microsoft programs including Excel, Access, and online databases.
• Assist, as needed, with other HRNERR Research programs, which may include participation in water quality or meteorological monitoring, laboratory tasks, and water sampling.
• Assist, as needed, in the maintenance, organization, and upkeep of the working laboratory and communal storage spaces.
• Provide additional assistance, as time allows, to other programs within the Research Reserve (e.g., invasive plant species management, greenhouse rearing of native plants, wetland restoration, and participation in The Institute Discovering Environmental Scientists (TIDES) education program) Participate in all SCA Corps-wide trainings and service projects, as well as project evaluation and reporting. Member will be required to complete the following training: -Online trainings 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)

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.

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 and around water
• Must be comfortable working outdoors year-round, in all weather conditions including cold, head, humidity, and rain
• Must be comfortable lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds
• Must be able to swim o Must be comfortable working in wetland and aquatic environments (e.g., hip-deep mud and muck, shallow and deep (>5 feet) water, dense vegetation/brush, exposure to sun, insects, wildlife, and other environmental hazards)
• Must be able to canoe or kayak, or willing to learn how to canoe or kayak on the Hudson River and tidal creeks
• Must be willing to work in chest waders, hip boots, dive boots, wet suits, water shoes, and other protective equipment
• Must be able to follow rigorous sampling procedures
• Must be able to follow laboratory and field safety protocols
• Must be willing to operate a state-owned vehicle (sedan, truck, and SUV)
• Must be comfortable working with or around power and hand tools, or willing to learn how to safely operate power and hand tools

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.