New York Corps- Trail Steward and Park Maintainer

Position Summary

To provide the SCA member with experience in park operations and to gain skills and knowledge in operating equipment and tools associated with trail building and maintenance.

The park is heavily trafficked on weekends with a diverse group of visitors from the Hudson Valley, New York City and beyond. Many are first time hikers and unfamiliar with the terrain, and the rules and regulations of the park. This results in a variety of challenges such as: lost and injured hikers, traffic congestion, trail erosion, litter, and misuse of park facilities. The SCA member will provide visitors with information about the trails, give suggested routes, manage foot and vehicular traffic, find and aid lost and injured hikers, perform trail repair and maintenance, clean up parking areas, and inform patrons of park regulations.

Schedule

January 20, 2025 - November 21, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Park maintenance and landscaping (~25%)

Trail stewarding and visitor management (weekends) (~40%)

Trail building and upkeep ((~20%)

Conservation stewardship projects and education (15%)

Goal 1: To acquire a thorough understanding of what it means to work within the New York State Park system; learning to balance the demands of recreation with environmental conservation.

Goal 2: To develop a working knowledge of the trails system with in the park and Leave No Trace principles, and to be able to act independently as a trail steward.

Goal 3: To help park employees implement conservation projects, such as restoring native pollinator gardens, performing environmental research, removing invasive species, and occasional environmental education workshops

Marginal Duties

Required Qualifications

General knowledge of the natural environment

Must be able to lift 40 pounds and hike daily

Must be willing to learn a foster a cooperative work environment

Preferred Qualifications

Works well within a team atmosphere, flexibility, comfortable with public interaction, familiarity with landscaping equipment (not required).

Basic environmental knowledge, hiking/outdoor experience

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Free housing provided on-site

Compensation

$400/week Living Allowance

Amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award being offered for successful completion of the member’s term of service: $7,395

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits

First Aid/CPR

Wilderness First Aid Training

Health Insurance

LNT Level 1 Certification

Mental Health First Aid

$100 Professional Development Stipend

Environmental Leadership Institute

AmeriCorps: Eligible/Required

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.