Natural Resource Steward - Independence River Wild Forest
Company: Student Conservation Association
Location: New York
Posted on: May 9, 2024
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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, Cherry Hill , Natural Resource Steward - Independence River Wild Forest, Hospitality & Tourism , New York, New Jersey
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