Individual Placement - Water Quality and Vegetation Monitoring Participant at The Student Conservation Association

Position Summary 

Purpose of the Program: The Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve’s mission is to improve the health of the Hudson River Estuary by conserving estuarine habitats through education, training, stewardship, restoration, monitoring, and research. The SCA member will have the opportunity to work alongside coordinators of Reserve programs that focus on water quality and weather monitoring, vegetation and elevation monitoring in tidal wetlands, and submerged aquatic vegetation surveying. The member will also gain experience in working with the public and volunteer coordination. Community Needs that the Program Serves: The Program serves the community by collecting and providing ecological data about the Hudson River to the public to promote education, stewardship, and effective resource management.

Location 

Staatsburg, NY

Schedule 

January 26, 2026 - November 23, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Support the calibration, deployment, maintenance, and troubleshooting of water quality monitoring instrumentation. Includes monthly swapping and deployment of instruments at multiple sites in the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers. • Support maintenance of weather stations along the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers. • Assist in ecological monitoring of Hudson River tidal wetland habitats, including vegetation identification and quantification, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) surveys, and marsh surface accretion rate measurements. • Support Reserve staff in implementing the Hudson River SAV Volunteer Monitoring Program, including volunteer coordination, preparation of training or outreach materials, and assisting with on-the-water trainings. • Participate in all SCA Corps-wide trainings 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. Goal 1: Assist the Hudson River Environmental Conditions Observing System (HRECOS) Coordinator in water quality and weather monitoring throughout the Hudson River. Learn how to calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair monitoring equipment. Goal 2: Help the Wetlands and Water Levels Coordinator develop and plan training events for community scientists of the Hudson River SAV Volunteer Monitoring Program. Goal 3: Assist the Research program in implementing innovative monitoring methods in Hudson River ecosystems.

Marginal Duties 

As needed, provide field and/or laboratory support for Research team projects including but not limited to tide station operation and maintenance, innovative research projects, and collaborative cross-sector projects. As needed, assist other reserve programs in educational programs (field trips, TIDES) or habitat stewardship. As needed, support Research staff in facilitating and assisting in research projects undertaken by other research institutions at Reserve component sites. As needed, support planning and facilitating meetings related to Hudson River water quality monitoring or SAV Volunteer Monitoring Program

Required Qualifications 

• Member must be comfortable working in and around water
• Member must be comfortable working in dense vegetation and muddy wetland conditions
• Member must be comfortable working outdoors year-round, in all weather conditions
• Ability to closely follow lab, field, and safety protocols
• Interest in the Hudson River
• Member will be required to take mandatory NYSDEC trainings
• Member will be required to take NYS Boater Safety training

Preferred Qualifications 

• Member must be comfortable lifting 30-50 pounds
• Ability or willingness to learn how to paddle in a canoe or kayak Knowledge of biological, chemical, and physical water quality indicators
• Member will have opportunity to attend relevant training(s) that arise (ex. meeting facilitation, plant identification)
• Member will have opportunity to learn how to trailer and operate a small boat
• Understanding of estuarine habitats and ecology

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

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 TBD
• Amount of Living Allowance member will receive: $440/week
• Free housing provided, or $1,000/month housing allowance for positions outside of NYC $1,100/month housing allowance for positions located in NYC

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits 

• Healthcare coverage (if applicable): Eligible for free health insurance
• Childcare coverage (if applicable): 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.
• First Aid/CPR
• Wilderness First Aid Training
• Health Insurance
• AmeriCorps: Eligible/Required
• AmeriCorps and SCA Training
• SCA Risk Management
• Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace
• Mental Health First Aid Training
• Wilderness First Aid & CPR
• Project WILD/Aquatic Curriculum
• Environmental Leadership Institute
• New York State Outdoor Educator Association Conferences/Events
• Hudson River Ecology
• Leave No Trace Trainer Course
• Professional Development & Job Readiness

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.