Individual Placement - Community Engagement Assistant na The Student Conservation Association

Position Summary 

Scenic Hudson’s mission is to sustain and enhance the Hudson Valley’s inspirational beauty and health for generations to come. Through community-based planning, organized around key natural assets, Scenic Hudson’s River Cities Program promotes well being in cities. We focus on enhancing urban landscapes to improve access to nature in the cities of Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, and Kingston. As part of the River Cities Team, the Public Engagement Assistant will work to promote civic engagement through participatory design and planning, tactical activation of public space, urban agriculture, educational programming, Community Science initiatives and other public engagement activities. The Public Engagement Assistant will support the River Cities Senior Project Manager and Urban Planner/Project Manager in all engagement efforts across the program. The position requires a personal vehicle for travel throughout the Hudson Valley. Evening and weekend work will be required on an average of twice per month.

Location 

Poughkeepsie, NY

Schedule 

January 26, 2026 - November 23, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Activate public parks and open spaces through programming and event coordination, stewardship initiatives, and strategic partnerships that promote active use of public spaces; Engage members of the public, local organizations, and coalitions in advocating for public-led conservation in cities; Help coordinate and implement outreach strategies that drive public engagement in park planning, programming, Community Science, and park stewardship initiatives; Assist with weekly farm stands, organize events with local partners, and lead outreach efforts at Pershing Community Farm in Poughkeepsie; Support Community Science initiatives by co-facilitating science-based public programming and events, such as aquatic and terrestrial surveys (bioblitzes) in each city.

Marginal Duties 

Provide additional support for Scenic Hudson’s American eel (Anguilla rostrata) monitoring program, and other partner organization events where there is mutual benefit; Provide additional support at the Pershing Community Farm in Poughkeepsie; Assist in implementation of recreational, educational, and volunteer events both virtually and in person across the River Cities, including regional bike events and programming for community members to experience Scenic Hudson’s regional park system; Participate in all required SCA Corps-wide training and service projects, as well as project evaluation and reporting.

Required Qualifications 

● College degree in urban studies, urban planning, education, environmental science or related field. Equivalent knowledge and experience acquired through professional experience accepted.

● Desire to engage with youth and community members in outdoor education and civic engagement projects

● Flexible with an ever-changing work schedule. Occasionally including weekend, evening and early hours

● Comfortable working in an outdoor setting

● Enjoy working with multigenerational audiences

● Comfortable interacting with the public in structured and unstructured settings

● Must be well-organized, possess strong interpersonal communication skills, be detail-oriented, and supportive of Scenic Hudson’s mission

● Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite—Word, Excel

● Must have valid driver’s license with a clean driving record of 3+ years and reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications 

● Previous experience working in outdoor education, public organizing, education and/or with children/students/families preferred.

● Curriculum development and educational planning experience— a plus

● Experience with Adobe suite—InDesign, Photoshop— a plus

● Ability to speak Spanish — a plus

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Member will be responsible for finding own housing within commuting distance to Poughkeepsie, NY

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
• $1,000/month housing allowance for positions outside of 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
• 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 Level I Certification
• Professional Development & Job Readiness
• Defensive Drive Training
• 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.