Individual Placement - Volunteer Coordinator

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.

Hosting Organization

Scenic Hudson, Inc.

Location

Poughkeepsie, NY

• This position may conduct work in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are readily accessible. Interactions with members of the public are regular and frequent.
• This position may conduct work in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible, but may be delayed by 1-2 hours. Access to public transportation at work site is limited or not possible. Cell phone reception is limited, spotty, or not available.

Schedule

January 25, 2027 - November 19, 2027

Weekly Schedule

The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some flexibility. Each week generally includes two to three days in the office and two to three days in the field. Occasional weekend, evening, and early-morning work is required.

Corps members are expected to serve approximately 40 hours a week for a period of 10 months

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• 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, Climate and Stewardship Team to develop, coordinate, promote and help run three seasons of diverse 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 outreach events. Includes evening and weekend work. (10%)
• Support the Urban Farmer at the Pershing Community Farm with community outreach and assist in running the weekly community farm stand (10%)
• Work with the Parks and Community Engagement Team to help conduct park visitor surveys in rural communities. (15%)
• Participate in all required SCA Corps-wide trainings and service projects, as well as project evaluation and reporting. (15%)

Marginal Duties

• Reporting Requirements: Members are required to submit timesheets on a Weekly/Bi-weekly basis via SCA’s timekeeping system,
• ADP Monthly Data Reports: Members are required to submit weekly output reports; training is provided.
• Quarterly Narrative Reports: Member narratives are collected on a monthly basis in the members’ output report.

Required Qualifications

This position is part of a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program and if you are selected, you will be serving as an SCA AmeriCorps member.

To be eligible for this position you must meet these basic AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements:

• Being a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States
• Being at least 18 years or older
• Having a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to complete
• Being willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks conducted after position is offered.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to pass a federal background check

• Valid Driver’s License
• Bachelor’s degree in urban studies, environmental sciences, education, recreation resources management or related field or equivalent knowledge and experience acquired through professional experience.
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience in volunteer management, public outreach, civic engagement, education, urban farming, community gardens, trail building, and park management is a plus.

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

$1,000/month housing allowance for positions outside of NYC

Member is responsible for securing their own housing within reasonable commuting distance to Poughkeepsie, NY

Compensation

• Compensation: (weekly living allowance): $500/week
• Minimum AmeriCorps Award: Full-Time Award
• AmeriCorps Hours Requirement: 1700 hours
• Education Award amount upon successful completion of program: $7,395
• Healthcare coverage: Eligible for free health insurance
• Childcare coverage: 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.

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

Personal Vehicle Information

A personal vehicle is required for both personal and professional travel

Driving

Driving a motor vehicle is a requirement for this position.

Additional Benefits

Health Insurance

SCA provides the following training opportunities to members:

• Member AmeriCorps and SCA Training: Members will receive an AmeriCorps training on prohibited and unallowable activities, risk management, reporting requirements, benefits, and more
• SCA Risk Management
• Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace
• Mental Health First Aid Training
• Wilderness First Aid & CPR
• Environmental Education Curriculum
• Environmental Leadership Institute
• New York State Outdoor Educator Association Conferences/Events
• Hudson River Ecology
• Leave No Trace Level 1
• Professional Development & Job Readiness
• Service events including but not limited to: Earth Day/Arbor Day, I Love My Park Day, National Trails Day, Patriots Day of Service and Remembrance, A Day in the Life of the Hudson River

AmeriCorps: Eligible/Required

Equal Opportunity Statement

The SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.