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Community Outreach Volunteer

Community Outreach Volunteers help to promote a greater public understanding of the Albany Pine Bush by serving as ambassadors at external and internal events. Community Outreach Volunteers work together as a group and are supervised by the Community Connections Coordinator (CCC). They help plan and schedule which events to attend for the calendar year and suggest resources & outreach materials that highlight the assets of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission to target audiences. Community Outreach Volunteers work with the CCC to administer all aspects of the outreach event process.

Required training and all outreach materials will be provided.

Located in the heart of New York’s Capital District Region, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve consists of 3,400 acres. The preserve protects a globally rare inland pine barrens ecosystem and a unique diversity of life including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly and many other Species of Greatest Conservation Need in New York State. In addition to its ecological significance, the preserve is an invaluable open space recreational and educational resource for local communities.

Duties

  • Planning: meet as a group every other month to plan, create staffing schedules and delegate responsibilities. Correspond with OVC regarding post-event reporting and follow up, and outreach material delivery.
  • Pre-event preparation: assess and restock supplies, retrieve and load event supplies from the Discovery Center; transport and set-up displays and materials at the event destination.
  • During the event, share the key message that the Albany Pine Bush Preserve is an indispensable community asset. Interact with the public in a friendly, educational manner. Initiate discussions, listen to concerns and questions, share promotional materials, and track visitor attendance at the table.
  • Post-event responsibilities: tear-down, load, transport, unload, and return event materials to the Discovery Center in a timely manner. Complete internal event reports.
  • Assist with Discovery Center special events (ie: Lupine Fest, Smokey Bear Day, Night at the Discovery Center, and Nature Night Out).
  • Continually enhance personal knowledge of the Pine Bush through the use of field guides, internet resources, Pine Bush reference materials, and attendance at free preserve programming.


Requirements

  • Excellent interpersonal skills and a positive, outgoing attitude
  • Reliable, punctual, and professional conduct
  • Willingness to initiate and engage in frequent conversations with members of the public
  • Reliable transportation and ability to deliver outreach materials to at least 6 local locations twice per year
  • Ability to lift and handle heavy items, including a folding table, chairs, display case, and rolling cart
  • Ability to attend a 1-hour planning meeting via Zoom every other month
  • Complete volunteer orientation (approximately 2 hours)
  • Complete position-specific training with OVC
  • Minimum commitment of 4 outreach events per year and 2 Discovery Center based special events (Lupine Fest, Smokey Bear Day, Night at the Discovery Center, or Nature Night Out.)
  • Background check required


Apply to:
Sarah Reilly, Community Connections Coordinator
Albany Pine Bush Preserve
195 New Karner Road
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 456-0655
volunteer@AlbanyPineBush.org  
 

Date Posted: 12-16-2019

Expire Date: Open until filled

Contact Name: Sarah Reilly, Community Connections Coordinator

Contact Email: volunteer@albanypinebush.org

Additional Instructions:

APBPC does not discriminate in its volunteer opportunities or practices on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, hairstyle and hair texture, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, gender identity, transgender status, genetic information/predisposition or carrier status, age, religion, creed, domestic violence victim status, and any other classification protected by federal, state or local law.

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