New York’s Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve & Environmental Education Center is seeking an enthusiastic Environmental Educator for the 2023 season. Apply to be a SCA New York State Parks Corps member today!

About the NYS Parks Corps: Service activities range from providing environmental education and interpretation, to trail restoration, wildlife management, and organizing volunteer events. All 21 Parks Corps members will gather regularly in Central NY for SCA trainings and other professional development opportunities as they arise. (**See Covid caveat above for potential exceptions to 2023 events) Members share housing in groups of 1-4 members per location. NYS Parks Corps members serve under the direction of regional Parks staff to assist in accomplishing the mission of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; 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.

This position is located in New York’s Niagara Region, with housing in Depew, New York.

Purpose of the Position: NYSDEC’s Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center has an internal mission statement: to inform and inspire citizens to take responsibility for the environment. The AmeriCorps Member will enable us to engage citizens of all ages in caring for the environments of Reinstein Woods, while also sharing knowledge, especially with underserved youth, about the environment upon which all life depends.

Community Needs that the Position Serves: Reinstein Woods is uniquely positioned to serve more than a million citizens in the Buffalo-Niagara Region, including youth in underserved neighborhoods of the cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls and their suburbs. More than 50% of children in schools and youth organizations that Reinstein Woods serves annually are from underserved or environmental justice communities.
According to the NYS Education Department, the Buffalo City School District (Reinstein Woods’ biggest client) student population is 80% minority students, and 79% of all students are economically disadvantaged. The Niagara Falls City School District student population is 57% minority, and 72% of their students are economically disadvantaged. Even within the four school districts serving the first-ring suburb of Buffalo where Reinstein Woods is located, more than 50% of all students qualify as economically disadvantaged.
According to the Children and Nature Network, research shows that “spending time in nature enhances educational outcomes by improving children’s academic performance, focus, behavior and love of learning.”1 With the support of SCA/AmeriCorps, Reinstein Woods will be able to connect even more children to nature and the environment.
1 https://www.childrenandnature.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/CNN_AcademicOutcomes_16-10-27_O_newlogo.pdf

AmeriCorps Member Duties and Responsibilities: 
Assist with diversity programs aimed at connecting underserved youth with nature: Assist with a variety of programs, including presenting Discover Your Neighborhood or Watershed STEM in the Schoolyard sessions in public schools and after-school care programs, assisting with After School Conservation Club, and assisting with field trips for the Western Region Campership Diversity Program. Accompany campership recipients for up to a week at Camp Rushford. (25%)
Stewardship: Lead citizens, youth groups and others in educational tours and stewardship activities at Reinstein Woods. Specifically, the position will coordinate the “Trail Thursdays” volunteers, who perform trail maintenance and invasive species removal weekly during the warm months of the year, and the “Phragmites Strike Team,” who monitor and remove an invasive plant as part of a multi-year effort at Reinstein Woods. (25%)
Outreach and Volunteer recruitment: Represent Reinstein Woods at off-site fairs, festivals, science nights, and youth field days. Make presentations to organizations as requested to recruit more volunteers for Reinstein Woods’ education and stewardship programs. (20%)
Present on-site environmental education programs for pre-K to high school students, youth organizations, and the general public. (15%)
Participate in all SCA Corps-wide training and service projects, as well as project evaluation and reporting. (15%)

How the AmeriCorps Member’s Role Aligns with the Organization: The Member will be helping to connect youth from underserved communities with their local environment while improving their knowledge and awareness of environmental issues. Assisting with the Campership Diversity program will introduce a new generation to the joy of outdoor recreation such as camping, fishing, and hiking. Through stewardship programs, the Member will be engaging people young and old in improving the environment while heightening their awareness and understanding of environmental issues such as invasive species. Through outreach activities, the Member will be attracting a larger audience to Reinstein Woods’ education and stewardship programs and recruiting new volunteers who can contribute to stewardship and education efforts. All of these programs support DEC’s mission and Reinstein Woods’ mission.
 
Performance Goals for the AmeriCorps Member:
Goal 1: Member presents high-quality Discover Your Neighborhood or Watershed STEM in the Schoolyard sessions in public schools and after-school care programs. Students are engaged, and pre- and post- lesson surveys show an increase in awareness and appreciation for the natural world. 
Goal 2: “Trail Thursdays” volunteers are engaged weekly from May to September. Phragmites Strike Team volunteers are trained in proper plant removal techniques and monitoring procedures. Phragmites sites are monitored at least once a month from May to September.  
Goal 3: Member prepares materials for tabling and interactive activities for at least one outreach activity per month when possible. Interactions with the public are positive and result in increased attendance at public programs and at least 5 new volunteer forms being submitted.

Benefits:
Amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award being offered for successful completion of the member’s term of service: $6,495
Amount of living allowance member will receive: $300/week living allowance
Healthcare coverage (if applicable): Eligible for free health insurance
Childcare coverage (if applicable): 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.

Training Opportunities: All SCA NYS Parks Corps members receive Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Leave No Trace, Mental Health First Aid, and professional development. Environmental Education Stewards receive Certified Interpretive Guide training while Conservation Stewards receive Game of Logging 1 & 2. Optional trainings include NYSOEA, the American Canoe Association Quick Start Your Canoe Training, and other opportunities that arise through the SCA and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.