Individual Placement - Outdoor Education Fellow at The Student Conservation Association

Position Summary 

To provide education to Capital District communities, through outdoor programs, classroom visits, as well as other public presentations. As the population of New York State continues to grow, Five Rivers prioritizes public outreach and education for the Capital District. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center is uniquely positioned between three defined metropolitan areas: Albany, Schenectady, and Troy. The support of SCA/AmeriCorps enables Five Rivers to pay significant attention to providing education programs and services to these audiences. Members also do informal interpretation on site at Five Rivers with a wide variety of audiences of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Location 

Delmar, NY

Schedule 

January 26, 2026 - November 23, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

AmeriCorps Member Duties and Responsibilities: Develop, plan, and implement outreach programs, including DEC’s Nature’s Schoolyard and Nature Bus initiatives, for schools in defined urban areas of Albany, Schenectady, and Troy. Develop and present outreach programs for community programs serving youth from New York‘s Capital District (30%) Develop and present on-site environmental education programs, including programs for students from pre-K to high school, as well as interpretive programs and walks for the public, based from the visitor center at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. (20%) Participate in stewardship activities through Community Science research, invasive species removal and native gardening projects, trail checks and other duties as assigned (15%) Present special programs, exhibits and/or services at local events, as well as for special needs audiences such as senior or nursing home facilities. (10%) Participate in training and professional development including staff meetings and planning sessions, in-house training sessions on teaching methods, natural history and environmental science, and interpretation techniques. (10%) Participate in all SCA Corps-wide trainings and service projects, as well as project evaluation and reporting. (15%)

Marginal Duties 

• Timesheets submitted: Weekly/Bi-weekly 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 

• Some experience dealing with youth.
• Some experience in public speaking contexts.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Member must have physical capacity to lead outdoor lessons with children and adults (standing and kneeling, walking up to 2 miles in variety of weather conditions).
• Must consistently model respectful behavior towards the natural world including insects, mammals, birds, trees, plants, etc. Ability to perform a variety of outdoor functions, from manual labor to leading trail hikes, lessons, and field studies.
• Familiarity with/interest in natural resources.
• Ability to develop a positive rapport with a broad range of people, as well as with staff.
• Ability to work with minimal oversight.
• Ability to accept adjusted work schedule.
• A passion for sharing knowledge about the environment and for building capacity to work together towards a better tomorrow.

Preferred Qualifications 

BA/BS degree in education, environmental studies, conservation/wildlife sciences or related disciplines preferred.

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Housing provided On Site at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center

Compensation  

Amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award being offered for successful completion of the member’s term of service in 2025: $7,395.00 2026 Amount TBDAmount of Living Allowance member will receive: $440/week, and Housing provided On Site at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits 

• Defensive Drive Training
• First Aid/CPR
• Interpretive Skills
• Leave No Trace Master Educator Certification
• Wilderness First Aid Training
• Health Insurance
• AmeriCorps: Eligible/Required

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.