Full Time Seasonal Position:  Watercraft Inspection Steward/Lead Watercraft Inspection Steward

Full Time Seasonal Position:  Watercraft Inspection Steward/Lead Watercraft Inspection Steward

The Capital Mohawk PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management), hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga, is in year two of administering a five-year contract (2018-2022) funded through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) via the Environmental Protection Fund.  As part of the agreement with the NYSDEC, we are administering an Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention Program and are looking to hire a Team of 20 AIS Watercraft Inspection Stewards along with 6 Lead AIS Watercraft Inspection Stewards.

 Duration

Watercraft Stewards work on a full-time, seasonal basis from May through September. Work schedules are typically Thursday-Monday, 7:00 am – 4:00 pm (40 hours/week), schedules may also vary depending on program needs.

Holidays and weekends are mandatory. The Watercraft Steward program runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with several days of required programmatic training May 15th to the 17th.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Watercraft Stewards and Lead Stewards provide environmental education and outreach at boat launches regarding statewide Clean, Drain, Dry practices in order to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Stewards interact daily with visitors at the launch sites using the New York State Watercraft Steward Program Handbook

  • Perform voluntary watercraft inspections while educating patrons at launch sites about aquatic invasive species.  Distribute educational materials.
  • Collect data about boat launch use, AIS spread prevention behaviors, and vectors for potential AIS spread.
  • Watercraft Stewards collect data daily from interactions with boaters and record metrics using a simple app designed specifically for the Watercraft Inspection Steward Program (WISP) and Survey 123.

 

Qualifications

  • All stewards must meet the minimum qualification of having at least two years of college education in a natural-resource or education field
    (e.g. environmental sciences, environmental education, interpretation, education, natural resource policy, natural resource management, water resources, forestry, geology and limnology)

or minimum experience of working as a watercraft steward for at least one boating season.

  • Strong verbal communication skills and ability to interact with the public.
  • Capable of performing duties independently and sometimes in inclement weather.

Counties and Launch Sites

  • Launch Sites along the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers for the AISSPP program watercraft stewards include Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Green, Herkimer, Montgomery, Orange, Saratoga, Schenectady, Ulster, and Westchester counties.
  • Boat launch Sites can be found here.

Interview Dates:              Rolling interviews April to early May

Application Deadline:    Open until filled

Mandatory Training:      May 15th-17th Norrie Point Environmental Center: Staatsburg, NY 12580

Please follow the link to a full job position description. 
Applications will only be accepted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension  website.

 

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State.  Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate governmental agencies.

This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University. Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.  Individuals who bring a diverse perspective and are supportive of diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.