Hudson Valley Corps - Turtle Conservation Steward

Position Summary

Turtle Conservation Steward

The mission of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic, and cultural resources.

Taconic regional stewardship staff is part of the Division of Environmental Stewardship and Planning (DESP) within OPRHP. Environmental stewardship is the responsible use and protection of the natural environment. DESP has identified four main strategic goals that uphold the Agency’s guiding principle of

conserving, protecting, and enhancing our natural and ecological resources

within the park system:

Protect, Conserve, and Improve Endemic Biodiversity, Resilient Natural Ecosystems, and Connected Habitats

Integrate Environmental Stewardship Throughout the Agency and Enhance Communication and Information Sharing

• Improve External Information Sharing and Communication Demonstrate Leadership

and Foster Employee Excellence in Environmental Stewardship.

Regional and statewide staff work together towards the responsible stewardship of our natural resources. Stewardship of the local environment to support and protect fauna, flora, and significant natural communities in New York State Parks and Historic Sites, primarily within the Taconic Region.

Location

Staatsburg, NY

• Schedule

March 2, 2026 - October 16, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The member will play an integral role in the Taconic Region’s stewardship program by supporting regional stewardship staff in the management and protection of flora, fauna, and significant natural communities at state parks and historic sites throughout the region, in particular working with the Blanding’s turtle.

The turtle conservation steward will work closely with regional and statewide stewardship staff and other Parks staff to meet regional and statewide stewardship goals. The work will focus largely on supporting projects that involve the protection of flora, fauna, and natural communities on park lands

and historic sites throughout the region. The primary responsibilities of this position will involve assisting in long-term monitoring efforts for the Blanding’s turtle in Dutchess County. However, other stewardship work may occur in Columbia, Putnam, and Westchester counties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct turtle trapping, tracking using radiotelemetry, vegetation surveys, and

nest protection and monitoring for turtle hatchlings; collect and organize data related to those activities (50%)

Data will be collected using paper datasheets and electronic devices. Radiotelemetry will require evening/night/weekend work during the turtle nesting season (end of May through beginning of July). Weekend work may be required in August and September for nest checks. The member will be expected to coordinate

turtle monitoring activities with external partners. The member will work in challenging environmental conditions while carrying gear. Conditions will include heat, biting insects, swamps, mud, uneven terrain, and walking long distances to remote locations.

• Assist with other stewardship projects (25%)

E.g., biocontrol release, invasive species mapping and removal, water quality

• monitoring, potential habitat improvements and plantings, potential monitoring

for other wildlife species.

• Participate in SCA trainings, service projects and other member development

events (15%)

Goals in mind for the candidate:

Goal 1: Contribute towards data collection, quality control, analysis, and

• reporting for the purpose of improving the agency’s ability to understand and
• manage Blanding’s turtle populations in the Taconic Region of OPRHP.

Goal 2: Maintain a respectful and collaborative relationship with outside partners to enhance information sharing and maintain effective understanding and

• management of Blanding’s turtle populations in Dutchess County.

Goal 3: Assist in the completion of additional stewardship projects aimed to safeguard and enhance the intrinsic values of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems within New York State Parks and Historic Sites.

Marginal Duties

• Gather information to update/develop guidance documents, protocols, and reports

to be used by regional stewardship staff and partners. (10%)

Summary reports will be required for all field work.

Required Qualifications:

• General comfort hiking and working outdoors in varying terrain and in all

weather conditions, including wading through forested swamps in chest waders while carrying equipment in hot weather.

• Ability to maintain a positive attitude while performing light to heavy

physical labor in challenging field conditions and demonstrating safe working practices.

• Must have strong organization skills.
• Ability to follow written and verbal protocols and instructions.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with other staff and park patrons.
• Strong interest in and commitment to environmental stewardship and a

team-oriented approach to solving environmental challenges.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Some knowledge and identification skills of flora and fauna, including native

wildlife (particularly turtles) and invasive species common to New York State is desirable, but not required.

• A working knowledge of GPS/GIS and ecological monitoring methods is

preferred, but not required.

• Experience collecting data and creating/editing maps is a plus, but not

required.

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Housing Provided

Compensation:

• Amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award being offered for successful

completion of the member’s term of service: $5,176.50

• Living Allowance member will receive: $440/week

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits

• 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
• 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.