Hudson Valley Corps - Turtle Conservation Steward

Position Summary 

Turtle Conservation Steward

 

The mission of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic, and cultural resources.

 

Taconic regional stewardship staff is part of the Division of Environmental Stewardship and Planning (DESP) within OPRHP. Environmental stewardship is the responsible use and protection of the natural environment. DESP has identified four main strategic goals that uphold the Agency’s guiding principle of conserving, protecting, and enhancing our natural and ecological resources within the park system:

 

Protect, Conserve, and Improve Endemic Biodiversity, Resilient Natural Ecosystems, and Connected Habitats

Integrate Environmental Stewardship Throughout the Agency and Enhance Communication and Information Sharing

Improve External Information Sharing and Communication Demonstrate Leadership and Foster Employee Excellence in Environmental Stewardship.

 

Regional and statewide staff work together towards the responsible stewardship of our natural resources. Stewardship of the local environment to support and protect fauna, flora, and significant natural communities in New York State Parks and Historic Sites, primarily within the Taconic Region.

 

Location 

Staatsburg, NY

 

Schedule 

March 2, 2026 - October 16, 2026

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

The member will play an integral role in the Taconic Region’s stewardship program by supporting regional stewardship staff in the management and protection of flora, fauna, and significant natural communities at state parks and historic sites throughout the region, in particular working with the Blanding’s turtle.

 

The turtle conservation steward will work closely with regional and statewide stewardship staff and other Parks staff to meet regional and statewide stewardship goals. The work will focus largely on supporting projects that involve the protection of flora, fauna, and natural communities on park lands and historic sites throughout the region. The primary responsibilities of this position will involve assisting in long-term monitoring efforts for the Blanding’s turtle in Dutchess County. However, other stewardship work may occur in Columbia, Putnam, and Westchester counties.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

 

Conduct turtle trapping, tracking using radiotelemetry, vegetation surveys, and nest protection and monitoring for turtle hatchlings; collect and organize data related to those activities (50%)

Data will be collected using paper datasheets and electronic devices. Radiotelemetry will require evening/night/weekend work during the turtle nesting season (end of May through beginning of July). Weekend work may be required in August and September for nest checks. The member will be expected to coordinate turtle monitoring activities with external partners. The member will work in challenging environmental conditions while carrying gear. Conditions will include heat, biting insects, swamps, mud, uneven terrain, and walking long distances to remote locations.

 

Assist with other stewardship projects (25%)

E.g., biocontrol release, invasive species mapping and removal, water quality monitoring, potential habitat improvements and plantings, potential monitoring for other wildlife species.

 

Participate in SCA trainings, service projects and other member development events (15%)

 

Goals in mind for the candidate:

Goal 1: Contribute towards data collection, quality control, analysis, and reporting for the purpose of improving the agency’s ability to understand and manage Blanding’s turtle populations in the Taconic Region of OPRHP.

 

Goal 2: Maintain a respectful and collaborative relationship with outside partners to enhance information sharing and maintain effective understanding and management of Blanding’s turtle populations in Dutchess County.

 

Goal 3: Assist in the completion of additional stewardship projects aimed to safeguard and enhance the intrinsic values of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems within New York State Parks and Historic Sites.

 

Marginal Duties 

Gather information to update/develop guidance documents, protocols, and reports to be used by regional stewardship staff and partners. (10%)

Summary reports will be required for all field work.

 

Required Qualifications 

• General comfort hiking and working outdoors in varying terrain and in all weather conditions,