JOB POSTINGS:
Student Conservation Association/AmeriCorps: Positions available with the Hudson River Estuary Program and Hudson River Research Reserve
The positions start on Jan 13, 2022 and run for 10 months. Below are the descriptions for specific positions:
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Watershed Specialist (New Paltz, NY) - The Watershed Specialist will assist in assessing and prioritizing aquatic barriers with the Estuary Program’s Culvert Prioritization Project. In addition to conducting field assessments of road-stream crossings, the Watershed Specialist will also assist in training partner organizations in a regional protocol. The Watershed Specialist will also providing mapping and outreach support to municipalities and watershed groups through GIS and public speaking. Finally, the Watershed Specialist will assist the Trees For Tribs Program with the spring and fall planting seasons.
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Estuary Educator (New Paltz, NY) - SCA member will help to educate the public the Hudson estuary watershed and assist with place-based estuary education for schools and community groups. This member will develop resources for use in the Estuary Program’s annual Day in the Life program, school programs and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve. Resources may include lesson plans, games, ArcGIS maps, data sheets, and online videos. Member will assist with outreach to schools and other educational partners. The major activity of this member will be split between (a) educating the public and school groups about the Hudson River, (b) supporting community-science field programs and estuary monitoring, (c) providing electronic media, internet content, and public exhibits about the Hudson River estuary. A common thread through all these duties is the importance of communication and education about the river’s natural resources.
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Community Science Educator (Staatsburg, NY) - The major activity of this member will be split between (a) supporting community-science field programs in local fisheries research and estuary monitoring and (b) providing electronic media, internet content, and public exhibits about the Hudson River estuary, its natural resources, DEC’s management role, and the importance of community involvement and stewardship to schools, service organizations, and the general public. A common thread through all these duties is the importance of communication and education about the river’s natural resources.
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Stream Buffer Educator (New Paltz, NY) - The primary responsibility of the position will be to assist with streamside replanting projects through the Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs program. The program works with community groups, municipalities, property owners, and volunteers to identify and implement stream buffer planting projects. The Stream Buffer Educator will develop & maintain a small native plant materials center, conduct plant monitoring, provide one-on-one assistance to landowners, prepare planting sites for projects, lead planting projects and assist in the development of educational outreach materials.
Scenic Hudson: Advocacy Community Organizer
Under the direction of the Director of Environmental Advocacy and Legal Affairs, Scenic Hudson seeks an Environmental Outreach Organizer to coordinate community engagement in advocacy campaigns, develop strategic messages, and grow and diversify grassroots coalitions in support of Scenic Hudson’s mission.
Scenic Hudson: Director of Science, Climate & Stewardship
The Director of Science, Climate & Stewardship provides leadership and primary oversight of science-related initiatives across all of the organization’s program areas. As the leader of the science program, the Director will serve as the primary ambassador and communicator of science topics to internal and external audiences. Primary duties include: ecological restoration planning, natural resource stewardship and restoration on Scenic Hudson lands, technical assistance to land conservation and park management staff, ecological restoration projects, and review of development proposals. The Director is also involved in policy and advocacy efforts for conservation of biodiversity and natural resources, and regional climate change and climate resiliency response in the Hudson Valley and New York State.
Ulster County: Director of the Department of the Environment
This position serves as the administrative head of the Ulster County Department of the Environment (UC DOE). The incumbent is responsible for providing the environmental leadership for Ulster County and within County government, including the coordination of technical and administrative assistance for the Ulster County Environmental Management Council (EMC) by working with the EMC leadership in the development and coordination of both new and on-going environmental programs and projects. The employee is also responsible for the development of departmental policies and procedures, as well as providing recommendations and technical assistance to other County departments, outside agencies and other regulatory authorities for all environmental issues.
Woodstock Land Conservancy: Executive Director
Woodstock Land Conservancy (WLC) is seeking a dynamic and energetic leader for this 33-year old community-based land trust in the Eastern Catskills. Overseeing a staff of two, the organization focuses on expanding land, water and natural resource protection; offers regular programming; supports building sustainable communities working to mitigate and adapting to climate change; works to expand trail connectivity and seeks to connect land use to community priorities working with municipalities, and numerous stakeholders. Full-time starting December 6, 2021.
GRANTS:
New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health: Applications for Free Technical Assistance for Municipalities on Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2)
The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) have announced a new initiative to assist municipalities with assessing and supporting drinking water source protection programs. The Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) is a state-run program created to assist municipalities with proactively protecting their drinking water sources. The goal is to help municipalities develop and implement their own unique drinking water source protection plan for the source(s) of their drinking water. In order to do so, the State is looking for communities to work with a technical assistance provider (TA provider), free of charge, to develop a DWSP2 Plan for their source of drinking water. TA providers will work with the community every step of the way, using the DWSP2 Framework, to develop a community specific DWSP2 Plan. As a result of this program, participating municipalities can use their newly developed DWSP2 plan to start implementing protection measures.
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation: Water Infrastructure Improvement Act applications due November 22
The New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) provides competitive grants to help municipalities fund water quality infrastructure projects. WIIA grants are available for wastewater and drinking water projects that protect or improve water quality and/or protect public health. Municipalities may submit applications for multiple projects, including wastewater, sewer and drinking water projects. For Clean Water, Wastewater and Water Quality Projects: A municipality’s project or project phase would be awarded a grant up to $25 million, or 25% of net eligible project costs, whichever is less. For Drinking Water Projects: Eligible projects that address emerging contaminants above the State determined Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) would be awarded 60% of net eligible project costs. A project that does not address emerging contaminants or addresses below the State determined MCL, including phases of the project, would be awarded the lesser of $3 million or 60% of net eligible project costs.
New York State Department of Health: Local Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Initiatives applications due December 1
The Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Project’s goal is that all Hudson fish and crab consumers know about, understand, and follow the NYSDOH fish advisories. To this end,
Health Research, Inc. and NYSDOH announce the availability of a total of $90,000 per year to develop partnerships with local groups. Applications for funding must serve populations that fish or are likely to eat fish from the Hudson River in Albany, Bronx, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, New York, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Ulster, Washington, and/or Westchester Counties. Priority audiences are women under 50 (childbearing years), families with children under 15, minority, low-income, low-literacy and limited-English proficiency individuals. Maximum awards are for $15,000 a year. Government entities and community based not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply.
Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve: Margaret A. Davidson fellowship applications due December 10
The two-year Margaret A. Davidson fellowship brings a graduate student to conduct research at the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve to address a key coastal management question. These questions help Hudson River communities understand coastal challenges and impacts to influence future policy and management strategies. The annual stipend for a Margaret A. Davidson fellow is $41,000 for research and travel, and an additional equipment and supply budget of approximately $7,000. The research that is conducted at the Reserve is intended to be a substantial part of the fellow’s degree research. At least six weeks must be spent at the Reserve each year.
