Teaching Assistant - Environmental Conservation Program

Teaching Assistant – Environmental Conservation Program HFM BOCES Career and Technical Education Center Help Develop the Next Generation of Environmental and Natural Resource Professionals

Do you have a passion for the outdoors, natural resources, conservation, and mentoring young people? HFM BOCES is seeking an energetic, safety-conscious, and student-focused Teaching Assistant to support our Environmental Conservation Program
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This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside experienced educators, conservation professionals, employers, and community partners while helping students prepare for careers in forestry, natural resource management, wildlife conservation, landscaping, heavy equipment operation, environmental services, and related fields.

As a Teaching Assistant, you will help students develop the technical skills, environmental awareness, professionalism, safety practices, and work ethic needed to succeed in today's conservation and natural resource industries. Your support will help create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences in the classroom, laboratory, shop, and outdoor field environments.

• Assist the Environmental Conservation instructor with daily classroom, laboratory, shop, and outdoor field instruction.
• Support students during hands-on activities involving forestry, natural resource management, wildlife and habitat conservation, land management, landscaping, equipment operation, and environmental stewardship
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• Assist students with the safe and proper use of hand tools, power equipment, forestry tools, landscaping equipment, and other equipment utilized within the Environmental Conservation Program.
• Help prepare tools, equipment, materials, instructional areas, and outdoor learning environments for daily activities and projects.
• Reinforce proper personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment operation, job-site safety, and industry-standard safety practices
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• Assist in maintaining a safe, clean, organized, and functional classroom, shop, equipment storage, and outdoor instructional areas.
• Support students individually and in small groups under the direction of the instructor.
• Assist students with identifying trees, plants, wildlife, soils, and other natural resources while reinforcing principles of conservation and responsible land management.
• Support field-based projects involving forestry, trail development, habitat improvement, landscaping, land maintenance, and other conservation-related activities.
• Reinforce workplace readiness skills including teamwork, communication, professionalism, dependability, problem-solving, time management, leadership, and safety awareness
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• Assist with student projects, career and technical student activities, competitions, field trips, industry visits, community projects, and work-based learning experiences.
• Help students understand career pathways, certifications, post secondary opportunities, and employer expectations within environmental conservation and natural resource industries.
• Collaborate with conservation organizations, municipalities, environmental agencies, forestry professionals, landscaping businesses, equipment professionals, and other industry partners to enhance student learning.
• Encourage student engagement, responsibility, environmental stewardship, confidence, and career exploration.
• Assist with the transportation, setup, inspection, cleaning, and storage of tools and equipment as appropriate.
• Perform other duties related to the Environmental Conservation Program as assigned by the instructor or CTE administration.

• Inspire and mentor students exploring careers connected to conservation, forestry, natural resources, equipment operation, landscaping, and the environment.
• Work in a…