Weekend Wildlife Monitor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Title:           Natural Resources Monitoring Coordinator - HHT

Reporting to:            Director of Park and Facilities Management

Location:                   Beacon, New York

Our Mission:             

To create and steward a 7.5-mile linear park along the Hudson River that solves existing safety concerns around visitation, provides welcoming access to people of all abilities, restores and protects natural resources, and enhances quality of life for local communities.

Mission of Position:

The Natural Resources Monitoring Coordinator is responsible for conducting specialized fieldwork related to construction monitoring for rare, threatened, and endangered species along the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail corridor. This role requires technical expertise in wildlife monitoring, particularly herpetological species, and the ability to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

The Monitoring Coordinator will work both independently and collaboratively to support Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail’s commitment to ecological excellence, contributing to the protection and restoration of resilient and biodiverse ecosystems.

Principle Responsibilities may include:

Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species Construction Monitoring

• Conduct construction monitoring for rare, threatened, and endangered species, including timber rattlesnake and eastern fence lizard
• Maintain detailed and accurate monitoring logs and submit required reports to NYS DEC 
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements related to construction monitoring 
• Perform additional wildlife monitoring as needed, including surveys for species such as eastern long-eared bat, bald eagle, and osprey 
• Coordinate aquatic, fisheries, and aquatic vegetation monitoring as required

Invasive Species Management/Ecological Restoration

• Support invasive species management and ecological restoration efforts in coordination with the Natural Resources Coordinator

• Monitor for emerging pest infestations and participate in relevant trainings and regional coordination efforts

• Assist with native seed collection, propagation, planting, and maintenance

• Conduct vegetation monitoring to assess restoration progress

Trail Stewardship

• Serve as a natural resources liaison to the stewardship crew, identifying and documenting wildlife activity, sensitive habitats, and invasive species

• Assist with seasonal trail assessments and contribute to stewardship reporting

• Participate in volunteer stewardship events and community workdays

• Support routine trail maintenance activities, including debris clearing and drainage upkeep

• Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field; or a minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience in environmental consulting, conservation biology, wildlife monitoring, zookeeping, or a related field 
• Demonstrated experience with wildlife monitoring, including herpetological species 
• Knowledge of terrestrial flora and fauna of the Hudson Highlands region or comparable region.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal environmental regulations and permitting processes 
• Proficiency in monitoring and sampling protocols for rare and threatened species 
• Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills, with the ability to produce timely and accurate reports 
• Experience with GIS and geospatial tools, including ESRI ArcGIS Pro, Survey123, and Field Maps 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace and database management systems 
• Experience preparing technical reports 
• Experience working independently in outdoor environments under varying weather conditions 

Licenses/Certifications:

• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) Endangered and Threatened Species Permit (ETSSP), specifically for timber rattlesnake and eastern fence lizard monitoring, or the ability to obtain within three (3) months of hire 

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds 
•  Ability to commute to the office and other sites within the local trail area.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends

Compensation:          

Full-Time (35 hours/week), Salary range $60,000 - $70,000 with competitive benefits.  

Contact:                     

Please submit a resume and cover letter as part of your application.  Please use your cover letter to highlight why you are a competitive candidate for this role. Further information can be found on our website: https://hhft.org/news/opportunities/. No phone calls

Background:           

The Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail will be a new 7.5-mile riverfront linear park in the Highlands region of the Hudson River Valley. Set to begin construction later this year, this job is an opportunity to join the dynamic and growing team that will ultimately build, manage, and program the new linear park. The Fjord Trail, in its design and future programming, will emphasize accessibility to a variety of outdoor experiences for all ages and abilities to enjoy – from rugged hikes to shoreline walks to immersive forest and marsh meanders. Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, Inc. is an independently operated non-profit subsidiary of Scenic Hudson, Inc.

Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail and Scenic Hudson provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.  We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type.  Decisions related to all terms and conditions of employment are made without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.