Urban Avian Educator

Position Summary

Audubon’s New York City Youth Education programs work to increase youth knowledge and experiences with the urban environment, connecting students to local birds and teaching critical thinking and problem-solving needed to make informed decisions and take responsible action.

We are building a community of youth leaders inspired to become active participants in Audubon’s conservation efforts. Our place-based, experiential programs support students of all ages to engage in conservation through the unique and relatable lens of birds. These learning opportunities provide knowledge of local bird species and habitats, while encouraging lifelong interest in protecting their environment for both birds and people.

Our focus is on engaging young people and community members from schools and neighborhoods across all five boroughs of New York City, ensuring all students have access to hands-on experiences with their environment. Throughout their service, SCAs will work closely with Audubon staff to inspire a new generation of conservationists through the study of birds. SCAs will gain experiences in both formal and non-formal environmental education and learn valuable and transferable skills such as project management, curriculum development, volunteer management, and community engagement.

Hosting Organization

Audubon New York

Location

New York, 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.
• This position may conduct work in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible but may be delayed by 1-2 hours. Access to public transportation at work site is limited or not possible. Cell phone reception is limited, spotty, or not available.

Schedule

January 25, 2027 - November 19, 2027

Weekly Schedule: M-F 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 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

• Independently teach Audubon’s For the Birds! (FTB!) and LARK curriculum at NYC public schools and other unique program sites; coordinate and lead school field trips & garden projects in NYC Parks.
• Create bird conservation focused education materials for classrooms that include clear learning objectives for students, sufficient background information for teachers, impactful assessment opportunities, and engaging activities capable of nurturing environmental awareness and stewardship.
• Maintain comprehensive records of program metrics and communications for quarterly program reports.
• Represent Audubon at local and regional events tabling and outreach events.
• Participate in various Audubon New York meetings, trainings, and programs throughout the year. Participate in all SCA Corps-wide trainings and service projects, as well as project evaluation and reporting.

Marginal Duties

• Other duties assigned by Program Manager.
• 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.
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in outdoor education, environmental science, formal education, Environmental Interpretation, Natural Sciences, Outdoor Recreation, or related field.
• Proven experience working with and/or managing volunteers and/or interns also required.
• Hands-on experience working in an educational setting with students of different ages and/or educators, and experience facilitating training in groups.
• Demonstrated knowledge of natural history and environmental science, as well as knowledge of bird biology, ecology, and identification.
• Must be able to teach independently in NYC schools and other unique program sites.
• Excellent written, communication and interpersonal skills; demonstrated organizational and time-management skills are a must.
• Availability to work occasional weekend and evening hours as required. Some programs and outreach events will require working outside of core (9-5pm) work hours.
• Must be able to walk major pathways and trails of regional natural areas with students, including on uneven terrain.
• Commitment to conservation and the mission of the National Audubon Society; Knowledge of and commitment to conservation of birds and other wildlife and their habitats.
• Must be comfortable using all forms of NYC public transportation; ability to travel within and outside NYC.
• Once accepted, must pass an NYC DOE Issued fingerprinting/background check process through IdentoGO in order to be eligible to work with New York City students.

Preferred Qualifications

Minimum of 1-years of experience working in the field of formal and/or informal education; experience teaching in a formal classroom setting is preferred.

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 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

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

Member is responsible for finding their own housing within commuting distance to Manhattan, New York, New York

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

Not required

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:

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.