About
The New York State Excelsior Conservation Corps is a new New York State AmeriCorps program run by the Student Conservation Association, a national leader in environmental service for youth and young adults. Under the vision of Governor Cuomo, the ECC was launched to address the environmental and stewardship needs of New York State while inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders through environmental education programing. There are 50 fulltime service positions ECC. They are open to New York State residents and students ages 18-25, with special emphasis on member diversity and veteran participation.
The program begins January 18, 2016 and runs through November 2016. Applications will be accepted on a roll-in basis through December 31, 2015.
Program at a Glance:
- 10-month program (January 18, 2016 -November 13, 2016)
- 50 full-time membership positions for New Yorkers ages 18-25
- ECC will be based at Morrisville State College
- Room, board and meals will be paid for
- Rustic lodging and camping will be require during multi-day projects away from campus
- Service work on Department of Environmental Conservation, State Parks, & other agency conservation projects
- 8hr service days excluding holidays and weekends
- 8.5 weeks of training provided
- Special emphasis on furthering member education and career development.
- Members receive a $180 weekly stipend
- $5,730 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award at completion
Qualifications
- No training is required prior to placement in the ECC. Members will participate in extensive training prior to engaging in service activities.
- High school diploma or GED, or be willing to earn one prior to using education award.
- Live or attend school in New York State
- Be 18 to 25 years of age
- Pass a background check
- Possess ability to perform service duties with or without reasonable accommodations
Teams
ECC members will begin their service at Morrisville State College, where they will receive required trainings and certifications and learn the importance of team work, communication, supporting one another. After completing the program’s basic training, members will begin engaging in service work, dividing into smaller teams to tackle priority projects across New York State. While on remote and multi-day/week service projects, members will stay at satellite sites, often camping beneath the stars or staying in lodges in Parks and DEC campgrounds.
For a majority of their service year, members will be in teams of ten, each specializing in a specific conservation career focused area. No matter which team they join, members will have an opportunity to serve with each of the five teams listed below in a general service role during their term as well as participate in the program’s exit services which will help them prepare for and identify post-service employment, enrollment and collegiate opportunities.
Teams
1. Natural Resource Stewardship: Protect native species, habitats and ecosystems through exotics mitigation and biodiversity monitoring.
2. Infrastructure and Sustainability: Implement bold sustainability initiatives to reduce the state's energy consumption and costs to the taxpayer.
3. Recreation and Access Mapping: Mapping and monitoring over 10,000 acres of recreational land for safe public use.
4. Environmental Outreach & Education: Educate New Yorkers and local school children on the importance of environmental stewardship and conservation.
5. Open Space Management: Maintain, improve and connect hundreds of miles of NYS's premier destination hiking trails.
Certification
The Excelsior Conservation Corps will place strong emphasis on professional development opportunities. Members will participate in extensive training prior to engaging in service activities. All members will receive one week of program orientation, a one-week Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) certification course, one week of Work Skills training and one week of environmental education training. Members will be trained in disaster citizen preparedness and will be available to work alongside state teams on long term recovery projects. Group training will continue throughout the year with highly technical trainings provided to meet the needs of individual stewardship teams. Members will engage in regular professional development workshops and will have time to work on personal and professional goals individually and with a Professional Development Coordinator.
Members who successfully complete the program will receive SCA certification as Conservation Field Specialists. Additionally, members receive or have the option to receive the following trainings or certifications:
- Advanced Wilderness First Aid
- CPR Certification
- Risk Management 101
- Logging Chainsaw Certification
- Basic Rigging
- Work Skills - Trail Construction and Maintenance Skills
- Back Country Living Skills
- Leadership and Communication
- Volunteer Management
- Emergency Response
- Aquatic Life - children's education
- Wildlife - children's education
- Project Learning Tree
- Environmental Education and Outreach
Scholarships
Members who complete their service term and a minimum of 1700 hours are eligible for a Segal Education Award in the amount of $5,730. The award can be used to pay off existing student loans or can be used towards future educational needs.
Program at a Glance
- 50 full-time service positions to New York residents, students and veterans ages 18-25.
- 10-months term of service beginning January 18, 2016 and ending on November 13, 2016.
- Housing provided by SUNY Morrisville during training.
- Members will travel to sites across the state to complete needed stewardship projects, lead large scale volunteer projects, and act as environmental ambassadors at fairs, schools, community centers, and other events.
- Special emphasis will be put on furthering member education and career development- providing members with an array of trainings to develop leadership skills, general job skills and very specific marketable skills that are designed to lead towards a future in conservation or a related field.
- Members will receive a weekly stipend of $180 for their service as well as a post service education award of $5,730.
- During the course of their 43 week term, members will complete a minimum of 1700 hours of service, averaging 8 hours a day.
- Members will receive up to 8.5 weeks of training over their term.
- Room, Board and Meals will be provided.
- Staff support will be provided on campus and in the field.
- Service will require physical labor, travel, hiking, camping.