Bilingual Youth Safety and Stewardship Individual Placement
Conservation Begins Here
Bilingual Youth Safety and Stewardship Individual Placement
Position Summary
Gateway National Recreation Area was established 50 years ago as the country's first urban National Park to bring the NPS idea and values closer to people living in the New York-New Jersey Metropolitan Area. Experience summer in the city through an individual placement with Gateway's Interpretation and Education team, focusing on resource stewardship and building leadership skills.
Schedule
June 23, 2025 - September 28, 2025
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Individual Placement IS REQUIRED TO BE FLUENT IN SPANISH.
This is an exciting opportunity with two primary goals: first, to promote Leave No Trace stewardship practices among park visitors; and second, to educate visitors about recreating safely at Sandy Hook' beaches.
At the beginning of the season, the individual will participate in a structured developmental program, learning about the National Park Service and Gateway National Recreation Area, and the management issues the park faces. In 2025, Sandy Hook was selected as a Leave No Trace “Hot Spot” and individuals will be able to attend an Awareness Workshop, learning about the ethics of minimal impact outdoor recreation and practice strategies for sharing these ideas with others.
Through the remaining weeks, the individual will hone their leadership skills by facilitating service-learning volunteer opportunities like beach clean-ups for other youth and general public, working with partner groups like American Littoral Society and the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium. The individual will also conduct outreach to local communities to help promote Leave No Trace ideas, including at special events at Sandy Hook. The participant will be responsible for developing an online Leave No Trace or Water Safety messaging campaign to be posted on one of Gateway's social media platforms.
The individual will also educate visitors in both English and Spanish about the hazards associated with swimming in non-guarded beaches. The individual will assist the park rangers with all water-based programs and events, such as seining, Junior Ranger programs, Latino Conservation Weekend and World Oceans Day.
As a cohort, the individual will learn about the other National Park sites within New York-New Jersey area and have the chance to visit and meet with park managers and staff.
The Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway NRA is located on the northern most tip of the Jersey Shore at the entrance of New York Harbor. The closest shopping is located six miles from the park in Highlands, NJ. Because of Sandy Hook's proximity to New York City and the Jersey Shore you will an opportunity to visit and experience a variety of museums, national parks, state parks and cultural institutions.
Marginal Duties
Not applicable.
Required Qualifications
Spanish language fluency
Ability to spend a significant amount of time outdoors in beach settings
Ability to speak in front of a wide variety of people in both formal and informal situations
Ability to manage one's own time
Ability to adapt to unexpected conditions
This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.
Preferred Qualifications
- Driver's License
- Interest in natural history
Hours
40 per week
Living Accommodations
Housing is provided on-site in dormitory-style, single-occupancy rooms with shared common spaces, bathrooms and kitchen stations. The participant will live with other seasonal NPS employees and lifeguards.
Compensation
- Living Allowance - $690/week
- Relocation Travel Grant - $650
- AmeriCorps Education Award eligibility - $1,956 award with successful completion of position
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Recommended
Additional Benefits
- Leave No Trace Hot Spot Workshop Participation;
- Opportunity to visit nearby NPS sites
- AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional
Equal Opportunity Statement
The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.
Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.