Environmental Educator (Wilson Ctr. Funded) Hudson River Park Trust

Employer Name: Hudson River Park Trust

Internship Role: Environmental Educator

Compensation: $19.00/hour

Employer Website: www.hudsonriverpark.org

Duration of Internship: 280 hour commitment (Full-time, 35 hrs/week for 8 weeks)

Eligibility: This Wilson Center funded opportunity is open to all registered Pace students (undergraduate, graduate and international students) that are graduating in Dec. 2025 OR later.

Address: 353 West St., Pier 40, 2nd Floor NY, NY 10014

Modality:  On-site

About the Employer: Hudson River Park is a 550-acre park and estuarine sanctuary spanning four miles along the west side of Manhattan, from Chambers St. to W 59 St. The largest open space to undergo construction in Manhattan since the completion of Central Park, Hudson River Park has transformed four miles of formerly industrial waterfront into a beloved, urban recreational paradise. The Park's River Project conducts research and offers hands-on environmental education and scientific programming with the purpose of communicating the ecological importance of the Park’s 400-acre Estuarine Sanctuary. Visitors are invited to experience the Hudson River Estuary as a living laboratory for community engagement, stewardship and learning.

Each year, the Park’s River Project serves tens of thousands of New Yorkers through dynamic education and stewardship programs. The team leads hands-on STEM
programming for NYC students and the general public at various Park sites including the Wetlab aquarium, Pier 57 Discovery Tank and Gansevoort Peninsula.

Position Overview: Educators will be a part of the Park’s River Project team, which is the science and education department within Hudson River Park Trust, and work alongside other Trust full time and seasonal staff. Educators will primarily teach hands-on environmental education field trip and public drop-in programs that reach thousands of people each year. As part of their ongoing tasks, Educators will support Park research as needed and be engaged in the maintenance of the Wetlab aquarium which houses local fish species. Additionally, educators will have the opportunity to develop educational activities and resources to be utilized in the Park’s programming.

Responsibilities Include but are not limited to: 

Environmental Education:

• Teach the Park’s environmental education programs through school and summer camp field trips centered on Hudson River wildlife, shoreline ecology, plankton microscopy and more
• Implement public education programs at both indoor and outdoor locations throughout the Park, including catch & release fishing workshops, guided tours and open hours at the Wetlab aquarium and Pier 57 Discovery Tank
• Teach catch-and-release fishing and learn how to handle fishing equipment, live fish and bait
• Develop educational resources to be used in programming, and maintain various department resources, such as fishing poles and kids crafts

Wildlife & Park Research:

• Monitor and maintain fish tanks, filtration equipment and aquaria signage
• Provide proper care and husbandry to fish and other animals in tanks
• Demonstrate proper handling of animals to students and members of the public
• Support Park field science staff conducting research focused on oyster restoration, fish ecology and marine debris

Preferred Skills: 

• Coursework focused on marine, environmental science or education is preferred
• Experience working with children or the public is preferred
• Strong interest in teaching diverse audiences a variety of environmental themes
• Comfort interacting with members of the public in a professional manner
• Willingness to get muddy, handle live animals, work outside in all weather conditions and practice catch and release fishing
• A valid driver's license or ability to ride a bicycle is preferred

The Ideal Candidates is: 

Hudson River Park seeks an Environmental Educator that is an enthusiastic learner and a great team-player. We look for staff that enjoy working outdoors and have a dedicated work ethic. Ideally, this individual will have some prior experience working with children or the public or prior knowledge of environmental and marine science. Experience interacting with members of the public in a friendly and professional manner is a plus. Overall, we seek team members that have a flexible and adaptive mindset with the ability to multitask given the dynamic environment of a high-traffic urban public park. We have an exciting season coming up and we would be thrilled to welcome someone from Pace onto our team!

**This internship is funded by the Helene & Grant Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Pace University, the intern hired for this position will make a full-time commitment for 8 weeks, working no more than 35 hours each week, a total of 280 hours*