Individual Placement - Outdoor Educator

Position Summary 

The Outdoor educators work under the supervision of an Outdoor Education Program Coordinator and assist with the daily operations and programming of the Environmental Education Center. The Outdoor Educator supports program preparation, group facilitation, education lessons, and program maintenance. The Outdoor Educator will also assist with conservation and land stewardship projects in collaboration with the Land Management Program Coordinator.

Hosting Organization

Sharpe Reservation, The Fresh Air Fund

Location 

Fishkill, 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.
• This position may conduct work in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are readily accessible. Interactions with members of the public are regular and frequent.

Schedule 

January 25, 2027 - November 19, 2027

Weekly Schedule

Monday through Friday, mostly 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, very dependent on group schedule with some weekend work required

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

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Program and Logistics  
  • Assist with the setup and breakdown of program areas and facilities before and after group visits.
  • Prepare, organize, and distribute program materials and supplies.
  • Help ensure program spaces are clean, organized, and ready for incoming groups.
• Outdoor Education and Group Facilitation a
  • Assist with teaching and facilitating environmental education (EE) lessons and hands-on activities.
  • Welcome and orient visiting groups upon arrival.
  • Assist with user group meal facilitation and related logistics.
  • Support evening programming, including guided night walks and other nature-based activities.
• Outdoor Recreation and Team Building
  • Assist with facilitating group dynamics activities, team-building exercises, and challenge course sessions under staff supervision.
• Conservation and Land Stewardship
  • Assist with trail maintenance and improvement projects in collaboration with the EE Program Coordinator.
  • Participate in invasive species identification, removal, and management projects under the direction of the EE Program Coordinator.
  • Support habitat restoration and other conservation initiatives as assigned.
• Follow established safety procedures and land management guidelines when participating in fieldwork.
• Facilities and Program Maintenance
  • Perform light maintenance and help maintain the cleanliness and organization of program areas.
  • Inventory, organize, and maintain environmental education equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Program Documentation and Evaluation
  • Maintain accurate records of lessons taught, activities facilitated, and program participation.
  • Complete daily program logs electronically or in a designated written notebook.
  • Assist in developing and administering youth surveys to gather feedback on environmental education lessons and activities.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Perform other duties as assigned to support the Environmental Education Center and the broader goals of Sharpe Reservation.

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.

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Free housing provided On-site housing with fridge and kitchenette; free meals when groups are in session.

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 that 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.