Outdoor Educator

and the job listing Expires on March 7, 2026

The role of the candidate is to provide education about the natural and cultural history of Minnewaska State Park Preserve to patrons of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. The goal of the education program is to foster preservation stewardship of the natural world in all individuals and germinate potential conservation leaders for the future. The member will also assist the Minnewaska staff to implement land management activities to include mitigating visitor use impacts, provide invasive species control, and collect data for ecological monitoring projects.

The program provides valuable education and recreation opportunities for members of both the local and distant community. People from all over the world visit Minnewaska, as do locals who adore this Park Preserve.

Participation in a Minnewaska education program creates possibilities for patrons to exercise outdoors while learning about the natural world and local history. Exercise enhances good health, while learning about nature in a positive setting fosters a connection with the landscape that may lead to future stewardship. In an era of fewer in-person social interactions, Minnewaska’s programs create an opportunity for people of diverse life experiences to learn from each other as well.

Striking a balance between recreation and preservation happens best when negative impacts to the Park Preserve are addressed with timely and informed responses. Trail overuse/erosion, introduction and spread of invasive species, deer over browse and other recreation and biological impacts have the potential to significantly alter the landscape and threaten the rich bio-diversity found in the Northern Shawangunks.

In order to keep this landscape intact, and also to offer world‑class recreation experiences to a growing audience, Minnewaska needs to identify impacts and prioritize mitigation efforts to ensure that the negative impacts do not cause a degradation of the natural experience available to park patrons. One focus of our education programming is to teach people about this wonderful area and how they can help to protect it.

Minnewaska State Park Preserve, 24,000 acre gem featuring seven waterfalls, four sky lakes and over 85 miles of carriage roads and trails. Recreation opportunities include hiking, biking, swimming, snowshoeing, cross‑country skiing, rock climbing, horseback riding, scuba, and paddling.

March 16, 2026 – October 30, 2026

Come to Minnewaska State Park Preserve, a 24,000-acre gem featuring seven waterfalls, four sky lakes and over 85 miles of carriage roads and trails. Be part of a dynamic team leading education and recreation programs for the public both on-site and off-site; implement existing education programs and develop new and innovative ones; promote all programming through printed materials, press releases, social media and other means;

organize volunteer events; staff, maintain and update the Visitor Center and its displays; participate in conservation stewardship work, trail stewardship and trail assessment and updating. Other miscellaneous duties may include assisting with various maintenance and operational needs.

Candidate must be able to work a flexible schedule which will usually include one day out each weekend, as well as holidays and rarely evenings. The usual schedule of hours is 8:30am – 5pm with a half-hour for lunch. Through the education programming and trail improvements that the member provides, the following actions, which are key components of the mission of NYSOPRHP, will be accomplished:

Provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors. Encourage visitors to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic and cultural resources.

The following is an approximate breakdown of job duties:

A) 50% Provide education and recreation programs for the public, including school groups, clubs and the public. This includes researching, developing and delivering education programs about the natural and cultural history of the site as well as creating and…