Positions Available for Rockland County Youth Bureau’s Summer 2023 Conservation Corps Program
Recipients Receive Living Stipend, Educational Award, and Career Development Skills
New City, NY, – County Executive Ed Day today announced that the Rockland County Youth Bureau is accepting applications for the 2023 Rockland Conservation & Service Corps (RCSC).
RCSC provides young adults 18 – 25 with hands-on, outdoors, environmental fieldwork experiences with the ability to develop career skills, build their resume, serve alongside like-minded people, network with professionals, and make a lasting community impact.
Celebrating its’ 23rd year, Rockland Conservation Corps members participate in a 10-day training period as a group and then are placed in teams of two or four at a local host site to complete environmental service projects for the remainder of the summer.
Sites include:
- Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory
Using place-based education to teach and mentor underrepresented high school students about the importance of the Hudson River, empowering them to be stewards of their local waterways.
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland
Two opportunities: 1) Providing outreach and education about the Hudson River Fish Advisory, 2) Eradicating Invasive Species from local parks and open spaces.
- Village of Upper Nyack – Riverhook Preserve
Utilizing innovative land use practices to beautify and protect one of Rockland’s newest parks. Bringing together conservation, arts, and history to provide a holistic, educational, and peaceful park experience.
- Palisades Intestate Parks Commission & Rockland Lake State Park
Assist in the upgrade and operation of Rockland Lake Nature Center and other PIPC parks.
- Rockland County Division of Environmental Resources
Monitor, repair and improve county parks, trails, and open spaces.
- Rockland County Drainage Agency
Walk and assess 80 miles of county streams reporting water quality issues and removing natural stream blockages to prevent flooding.
- Town of Clarkstown Planning Department
Collect and assess stormwater infrastructure data and enter Clarkstown’s GIS database for New York State compliance with Municipal Separate Stormwater Systems law.
- Town of Ramapo Department of Public Works
Collect and assess stormwater infrastructure data and enter into Ramapo’s GIS database for New York State compliance with Municipal Separate Stormwater Systems law.
- Rockland County Soil & Water Conservation District
Conduct road-stream crossing assessments throughout Rockland and receive North Atlantic Aquatic Conductivity Collaborative (NAACC) Lead Observer Certification.
To be considered, students must be at least 18. Members are required to serve 350 hours between late May and mid to late August. For their service, Corps Members earn a $2,400 living stipend for the summer. After successful completion of 350 hours, Corps Members earn an additional $1,342.86 educational award provided by AmeriCorps and The Corps Network.
“This is a great opportunity for students to gain work experience, earn money and make a lasting contribution to their community,” said County Executive Ed Day. “This is an experience that goes far beyond the classroom.”
Fifty hours of training are included in the 350-hour time commitment where members are trained in areas including environmental education, trail building, conservation, curriculum development, leadership, team building, safety as well as a variety of other pertinent topics. Members will also earn valuable work and service experience, network professionally and socially, potentially earn college credit and make improvements in the community.
“The summer Conservation Corps provides exciting opportunities that young adults cannot find elsewhere. They gain authentic and supportive guidance from a wide array of professional mentors, obtain relevant fieldwork and workplace skills, as well as individualized advice for their potential career or calling,” said Kathy Galione, Youth Bureau Program Coordinator.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate their enthusiasm for environmental issues, be committed to serving their community, and be willing to participate in physically challenging outdoor activities that may include adverse weather conditions.
This is a full-time, 35-40 hours per week opportunity over the summer that is considered community service, not a job. Candidates that are selected for the program will have a summer schedule that will permit the completion of the 350-hour time commitment.
The program begins in late May and concludes the third week in August. Candidates can request an application by phone (845) 364-2937 or by e-mail rcsc@co.rockland.ny.us. A limited number of slots are available, so candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
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