Individual Placement - Educator Assistant

Position Summary

The mission of the NYSDEC’s Region 2 Bureau of Education program is to engage the people of New York City with the area’s local natural resources through programs that raise natural history awareness, promote outdoor recreation, and inspire stewardship. Three SCA members will work alongside our three regional educators out of the Region 2 Office in Long Island City, Queens. Members will provide the primary support for the After-School Conservation Club (ASCC) and Summer Outdoor Explorers (SOE) programs. These programs provide weekly education in partnership with City-funded afterschool and summer day camp programs. Members travel to these off-site locations via public transportation and deliver lessons independently.

Hosting Organization

Region 2 Office NYS DEC

Location

Long Island City, NY

• This position is primarily in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are available within 30 minutes . Interactions with members of the public are regular and frequent.

Schedule

January 25, 2027 - December 17, 2027

Weekly Schedule: M-F 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, daily start and end times vary based on scheduled programs, some weekend work required

Corps members are expected to serve approximately 37.5 hours a week for a period of 11 months.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Members will provide the primary support for the After-School Conservation Club (ASCC) and Summer Outdoor Explorers (SOE) programs (60%). For the ASCC program, members will deliver one-hour lessons to groups of 20 third, fourth, and/or fifth graders during the afternoon at off-site NYC after-school programs operated by a community-based organization (ex. YMCA or Boys and Girls Club). Members will meet with the same one or two groups on a weekly basis (ex. Mondays at after-school A, Tuesdays at after-school B, etc.) for about 15 weeks in the spring and about 10 weeks in the fall. Members will be given latitude to deliver lessons tailored to the interest of their groups. The SOE program follows the same structure as the ASCC program except lessons are delivered outdoors at local parks during morning or afternoon sessions over the course of 4-6 weeks. Members will support the regional educators with the delivery of other school and community lessons, professional development workshops, and public programs (10%). Members will develop and deliver lessons for the audiences listed above (10%). Members will spend one or two weeks at a DEC sleepaway camp and interact with and educate up to 45 youth, including campers from the DEC’s NYC Campership Program (5%). Members will complete mandatory SCA and DEC trainings and other professional development (15%).

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. Attend trainings offered by local organizations that align with members’ interests and goals; Shadow and/or assist DEC Natural Resources unit; Assist with stewardship and education at local organizations that align with members’ interests and goals

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. College degree, experience, and/or passion for education, ecology, science, or related fields Enthusiasm for the outdoors and nature Ability to work in a team setting Ability to work independently in the delivery of lessons and on select projects Ability to deliver lessons outdoors in various weather conditions Willing and able to travel via public transportation at least four days per week to off-site locations throughout New York City with a bag of educational supplies Completion of fingerprinting, background check, and medical clearance when required by partner organizations, which is separate from the SCA/AmeriCorps background check

Preferred Qualifications

Fluency in Spanish and/or Chinese (preferred)

Hours

37.5 per week

Living Accommodations

$1,100/month housing allowance for positions within NYC

Members are responsible for securing their own housing within commuting distance to or within New York, NY

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.
• Travel reimbursement: Members will be reimbursed for work and personal travel taken on MTA-operated subways and local buses through OMNY

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Driving

Driving a motor vehicle is preferred for this position, but not required.

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

• Be able to operate a motor vehicle without physical or medical restrictions.
• Possess a current and valid driver’s license for the 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.
• Be able to complete and pass SCA’s driver training, including both online and behind-the-wheel (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.