Bronx River Conservation Crew Apprentice

Job Title: Bronx River jobshiringnearme.org Crew Apprentice  

The Bronx River Alliance serves as a coordinated voice for the river and works with 100+ partners—particularly NYC Department of Parks and Recreation—to ensure that the river corridor will be a healthy ecological, recreational, educational and economic resource for the communities through which the river flows. 

The Bronx River Alliance is committed to practicing and upholding the values of inclusion, collaboration, environmental justice, responsiveness, communication, ecological restoration, innovation, respect, integrity, and public access.  We value the full range of human diversity and seek to involve diverse populations in our staff, board, volunteers, and partners. Read our full values statement at bronxriver.org/about/values; Read our Commitment to Environmental Justice at: bronxriver.org/about/commitment-to-environmental-justice

Schedule:
This is a Seasonal position from hire date to October 30, with the possibility of extension.
Working hours are from Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 3:30pm.
Occasional evening / weekend work is required.

Reports To: jobshiringnearme.org Crew Leaders 

Job Overview: Crew apprentices will support the ecological work through planting, invasive management, debris removal, maintaining green infrastructure, and supporting volunteer events. They will also receive training and gain skills and knowledge in numerous disciplines, including: forest, riparian, wetland and salt marsh ecology; oral communications; public education and outreach, including working with volunteers; water, fish, erosion control and soil conservation techniques; installation, monitoring and maintenance of stormwater capture systems; canoeing/kayaking; maintenance of River House vicinity, which includes care for advanced sustainability systems. 

Wage: $22 per hour

Major Responsibilities:  Under general supervision, the Crew Apprentices will work in small teams to carry out river management and restoration projects, including:

• Removing blockages and debris from the river.
• Restoring and improving forestland, salt marshes, trails along the Bronx River.
• Reducing/Controlling erosion in slopes and riverbanks.
• Removing invasive species of vegetation in natural areas and planting native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants.
• Maintaining green infrastructure features to capture stormwater runoff.
• Removing litter throughout the Bronx River corridor.
• Maintaining River House vicinity, including green infrastructure systems.
• Increasing community participation along the Bronx River and promoting ecological public education by supporting public/volunteer events.
• Centering diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA); community leadership; and environmental justice.

To note:

• Residency in Lower Westchester or The Bronx preferred.
• The reporting location is Bronx River House, located at 1490 Sheridan Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10459.

Qualifications Requirements

• Passion for the mission, vision and values of the Bronx River Alliance.
• Six months of full time work experience in natural resources restoration, gardening, landscaping, invasive species removal; OR high school diploma or GED with 3 months of experience listed above.
• Ability to lift 50 to 75 lbs.
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Willing to work in inclement weather, able to perform intense and physically demanding work.
• Possessing a positive attitude, being dependable, being reliable and a team player.
• Able to work occasional weekends.
• Ability to obtain Class D NYS driver’s license and ability to operate a pickup truck.
• Active interest in being a part of the full Bronx River Alliance team and engaging in collective activities.

Preferred qualifications: 

• Valid Class D NYS driver’s license and the ability to drive a pickup truck or van at time of hire.
• An associate degree (or higher) from an accredited college with specialization in forestry, ecology or a related subject.
• Six months of full time work experience in natural resources restoration and management, forestry or arboricultural work, and knowledge of erosion control techniques, exotic invasive species management, and post-planting field inspections/monitoring; OR high school diploma or GED with 3 months of experience listed above.