Natural Resource Steward - Independence River Wild Forest

Company: Student Conservation Association
Location: New York
Posted on: May 9, 2024

Job Description:

Come help protect some of New York States Scenic Forests while gaining valuable conservation skills by becoming a Natural Resource Steward. The Student Conservation Association, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, seeks to place an intern in the Independence River Wild Forest, located in the Western foothills of the Adirondack mountains. This intern will work for a duration of 16 weeks alongside personnel from the NYSDEC on projects that help preserve and protect this unique natural resource.The intern will receive a weekly living stipend of $160, a monthly living allowance of $570, and will be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education award at the completion of their service. Duties include: 1) Performing minor trail work (such as removing trail blowdown, installing or replacing trail markers and signs, installing water bars), 2) Educating the public on the proper use of public lands, providing information on trail conditions and Rules and Regulations, 3) Notifying Department staff of issues such as hazardous trail conditions, public use levels, and emergencies, and 4) Administering horse camping facilities. The job will more specifically consist of: 1. **Otter Creek Horse Trails** (-65%) - This area is in the Independence River Wild Forest. The area spans from Francis Lake south to Big Otter Lake west to Brantingham north to Crystal Lake and then east to the Number Four-Francis Lake area, including State Forests Lewis 34, 35, and Lewis 20. a. Patrol Assembly Area and trails by vehicle or foot: Answer visitor questions, inform them about registration process, and state land regulations. Report blowdown to NYSDEC staff. b. Collect self-registrations from Assemble Area. (No handling of money is required) c. Conduct minor trail projects in coordination with NYSDEC staff. 2. **Stillwater Reservoir** (-25%) - This area consists of the Stillwater Reservoir, associated campsites and the Stillwater Fire Tower. The candidate may stay overnight in the field on occasion. a. Work in coordination with the Stillwater Assistant Forest Ranger. When accompanying Ranger, travel by motor boat. b. Communicate and educate users of Stillwater Reservoir and surrounding lands. c. Patrol Stillwater Mountain Fire Tower Trail. Answer visitor questions. d. Conduct maintenance work on designated campsites and area trails. e. Patrol trails and facilities in Stillwater and surrounding areas. Report problems to the Lowville O?ce/Forest Ranger. 3. **Other Duties as Assigned**: May include trail work, facility inventory and monitoring, or other special projects (-10%) **Personal Skills needed:** It is important that the intern be comfortable working independently, spending significant time hiking and canoeing/kayaking alone. Applicants should also be comfortable and self-reliant in a backcountry setting. Experience, education, or training related to recreation management, environmental education/interpretation, ecology and natural resource management is desirable. Familiarity with using a GPS, map & compass, basic first aid & CPR, canoe or kayaking ability are also helpful. **Gear List:** Personal vehicle Outdoor clothing: hiking boots, pants, sunglasses Sunscreen Bug Repellant Personal canoe/kayak (recommended but not required) may be used at Stillwater Reservoir, and for personal recreation. **Housing:** A small cabin is available to the intern at the Lowville NY o?ce. The cabin does not have electricity or running water, but these are available to the steward in a nearby building. **Personal Skills needed:** It is important that the intern be comfortable working independently, spending significant time hiking and canoeing/kayaking alone. Applicants should also be comfortable and self-reliant in a backcountry setting. Experience, education, or training related to recreation management, environmental education/interpretation, ecology and natural resource management is desirable. Familiarity with using a GPS, map & compass, basic first aid & CPR, canoe or kayaking ability are also helpful. The SCA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status. Conditions of Employment **Additional Qualifications** Candidates will be required to demonstrate full vaccination status for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized or FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine; OR Receive from SCA a reasonable accommodation granting an exemption from vaccine requirements based on a medical disability or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Additional information and instructions regarding how to request a reasonable accommodation will be provided at the time of selection. Location Description The NYSDEC O?ce which administers the lands covered under this position is located in Lowville, NY. The intern will check-in with supervising staff at this o?ce, have access to a computer, and be provided equipment needed for job duties. Lowville is a rural community with a Walmart, another chain supermarket, several restaurants and other businesses. Larger nearby cities include Watertown (-35 mins), Utica (1hr), and Syracuse (-1.5 hrs). Primitive housing is available to the Backcountry Steward at the Lowville O?ce. The intern will need personal transportation to areas included in the position description. The horse trail assembly area is -10miles from Lowville and Stillwater is -27 miles away. Training Provided A 5 day long training session will be conducted by the Department. The training will cover all basic knowledge that is needed for the position. Education, Training & Skills Expected Social Sciences some coursework or experience Forestry some coursework or experience Recreation Management some coursework or experience Resource Management some coursework or experience Chain Saw Skills some experience Customer Service some experience GPS some experience Hand Tools some experience Trail Maintenance some experience Certification Requirements CPR/First Aid

Keywords: Student Conservation Association, Greenwich , Natural Resource Steward - Independence River Wild Forest, Hospitality & Tourism , New York, Connecticut