Individual Placement - Volunteer Coordinator na The Student Conservation Association

Position Summary 

Scenic Hudson is the largest regional Hudson Valley environmental organization and land trust that operates throughout 9 counties in New York. Scenic Hudson’s mission is to “sustain and enhance the Hudson Valley’s inspirational beauty and health for generations to come”. As part of Scenic Hudson’s Parks and Community Engagement Team, the Volunteer Coordinator will help develop volunteer opportunities that connect people to nature by assisting multiple teams to achieve their ambitious outcomes. Volunteer programming and activities take place throughout the Hudson Valley at municipal-owned and Scenic Hudson properties. The Volunteer Coordinator will help to optimize the use of public spaces by developing community projects and enhancing previously underutilized lands, parks, tributaries, and waterfronts.

Location 

Poughkeepsie, NY

Schedule 

January 26, 2026 - November 23, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Work with three Scenic Hudson teams to develop and coordinate all aspects of a dynamic volunteer program. • Work with current community partners/organizations and help to develop new ones who assist and support Scenic Hudson’s projects. • Assist Scenic Hudson staff with the development and management of public events to increase engagement around Scenic Hudson’s projects.

Marginal Duties 

• The Volunteer Coordinator will serve as an ambassador for Scenic Hudson by engaging local organizations and the public through growing and distributing fresh produce, hosting public events, community-science, learn-and-serve projects, and other programmatic activities. Much of this will be done as part of a small team, some with volunteers and some independently. Position requires travel with a personal vehicle throughout the Hudson Valley. Evening and weekend work will be required on an average of three times per month. • Under the guidance and supervision of the Senior Community Projects Manager, work with Scenic Hudson’s Parks and Community Engagement Team; River Cities Team; and the Science and Stewardship Team to develop, coordinate, promote and help run three seasons of volunteer activities in urban and rural environments located in the Hudson Valley. Examples of volunteer activities include, but are not limited to community science programs, urban farming, tree plantings, invasive plant management and trail work. Includes evening and weekend work. (50%) • Assist the Senior Community Projects Manager in promotion, coordination and implementation of public events. Includes evening and weekend work. (10%) • Support the Urban Farmer at the Pershing Community Farm with community engagement and assist in running the weekly community farm stand (15%) • Work with the Parks and Community Engagement Team to help conduct park visitor surveys in rural communities. (10%) • Participate in all required SCA Corps-wide trainings and service projects, as well as project evaluation and reporting. (15%)

Required Qualifications 

• Valid Driver’s License and a clean driving record of 3+ years
• Ability to pass a federal background check
• Bachelor’s degree in urban studies, environmental sciences, education, recreation resources management or related field or equivalent knowledge and experience acquired through professional experience.
• Previous experience in volunteer management, public engagement, civic engagement, education, urban farming, community gardens, trail building, and park management is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Enthusiastic about work and personable.
• Enjoy working with high school students and comfortable engaging with community members in structured and unstructured settings.
• Ability to speak Spanish and translate written materials a plus.
• Comfortable working in a variety of settings including urban and rural.
• Flexible with work schedule. On average 2-3 days in the office and 2-3 days in the field each week. Occasionally including weekend, evening and early hours.
• Comfortable working in an outdoor setting and physically able to walk 4+ miles a day over varied terrain and able to lift 40 lbs. Must be well organized, possess strong interpersonal communication skills, detail oriented, and supportive of Scenic Hudson’s mission, www.scenichudson.org
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Experience and comfortable with trail maintenance.
• Enjoy working with others in establishing and maintaining community gardens and urban farm(s).
• Knowledge of local plants.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite—Word, Excel, Access.

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Member will be responsible for finding 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.