Individual Placement - Research & 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) System-Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) is a standardized monitoring program with a coordinated process for collecting, managing, and archiving water quality, meteorological, and nutrient data.

These long-term datasets can be used to study short-term variability and long-term changes in coastal habitats.

The Research & Monitoring Member will assist the Research Coordinator and SWMP Technician in implementing the SWMP within the Hudson River Estuary. This member will support the calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of monitoring instruments and stations, deployment of water quality and weather monitoring equipment, collection of water samples, and analyzing samples using water chemistry techniques in a laboratory.

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 monthly collection of water samples from multiple sites throughout the Hudson River Estuary. Includes the use of hand-held meters, recording of data onto field sheets, and practice of standard sampling protocols and methods.

• Assist in the in-house processing and analyses of water samples for multiple parameters. May include assistance in the preparation of chemical reagents and standards in a laboratory.

• Assist in the monthly maintenance of weather stations along the Hudson River. Includes maintenance and general troubleshooting of sensors and instrumentation, data retrieval, and use of hand-held meters.

• Support the calibration, deployment, maintenance, and troubleshooting of water quality monitoring instrumentation. Includes monthly swapping and deployment of instruments at multiple sites throughout the Hudson River Estuary.

• Assist in monthly sampling preparation, including proper labeling of sample bottles and cuvettes, cleaning and storage of sampling equipment, weighing of filters, and other ancillary tasks.

• Assist in digitizing field data sheets and entering data into Microsoft Access, Excel, and online databases.

• Assist in the maintenance, organization, and upkeep of the working laboratory space.

• As needed, assist with other Research program initiatives, including water level monitoring and associated surveying tasks, visiting researcher projects, and tidal wetland/aquatic habitat monitoring.

• Provide additional assistance, as needed, to other programs within the Research Reserve (e.g., invasive species management, public education programs, marsh monitoring, and The Institute Discovering Environmental Scientists (TIDES) education program)

• 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 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)

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.

o A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental studies, biology, geology, or other related fields

o A valid driver’s license and personal vehicle

o Must be comfortable working in and around water

o Must be comfortable working outdoors year-round, in all weather conditions including cold, heat, humidity, and rain

o Must be comfortable lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds

o Must be able to follow rigorous sampling procedures and laboratory best practices

o Must be able to follow laboratory and field safety protocols

o Must be comfortable working with and around chemicals in a laboratory environment

o Must be willing to operate a state-owned vehicle (sedan, truck, and SUV)

o 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)

o Must be able to canoe or kayak, or willing to learn how to canoe or kayak on the Hudson River and tidal creeks

o Must be willing to work in chest waders, hip boots, dive boots, wet suits, water shoes, and other protective equipment

o Must be comfortable working with or around power and hand tools, or willing to learn how to safely operate power and hand tools

Preferred Qualifications 

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Working Conditions

• Work schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous.
• Work settings require the ability to positively interact with people of varying perspectives.
• Work settings may be located in natural environments and regionally significant locations that require respect for the land and local peoples.
• Work environment may be in inclement and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, lightning events, and/or decreased or inclement air quality conditions due to wildfire smoke or smog.
• Work settings may involve exposure to natural and environmental hazards, such as poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac; harmful, poisonous, or disease-carrying ticks, mosquitos, insects, snakes, bears, and other wildlife. 

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

Required

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:

o Member AmeriCorps and SCA Training: Members will receive an AmeriCorps training on prohibited and unallowable activities, risk management, reporting requirements, benefits, and more

o SCA Risk Management

o Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace

o Mental Health First Aid Training

o Wilderness First Aid & CPR

o Environmental Education Curriculum

o Environmental Leadership Institute

o New York State Outdoor Educator Association Conferences/Events

o Hudson River Ecology

o Leave No Trace Level 1

o Professional Development & Job Readiness

o 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.