Thank you to Rachel Branch, producer of the television show Solutions Rising for including a “BEAT” series for people to learn more about the fracked gas pipelines proposed to bring gas from the fracking fields of Pennsylvania across New York, Massachusetts, and New England.
Phased environmental remediation of 100 Bridge St.
not yet approved
The fate of a heavily polluted 8-acre site on Bridge Street may hinge on whether the state Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) says the land can be remediated partially in stages, in addition to whether an all-volunteer town board gives the project a green light. But as usual, MassDEP officials are saying very little, just before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will make a decision about whether to allow 45 units of affordable housing on 2.2 acres of the site. Town boards, residents, and the ZBA, which reconvenes about the matter August 15, have expressed concern, puzzling over the idea that a housing development might stand alone on a monitored, contained area of soil next to 6 still-toxic acres, since the rest of the development is uncertain. By Heather Bellow, The Berkshire Edge, August 3, 2016. [text-blocks id=”26627″ slug=”click-headline-read”]
Massachusetts Legislature passes
renewable energy compromise bill
The Massachusetts Legislature late Sunday night sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a compromise energy bill that, while less broad than some senators had hoped, would require the state to purchase significantly more energy from offshore wind and other renewable sources. “I don’t think that where we ended up is nearly as strong as where the Senate was,” said State Sen. Ben Downing, D-Pittsfield, Senate chairman of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “But both the administration and the House had a far narrower view, and that made for a rather difficult negotiation.” By
Rays to save: Solar project in Williamstown
hopes to save big on power costs
Just as the cost of building a new high school will be ratcheting up tax rates in the Mount Greylock Regional School District, a solar installation will provide power for local schools at a dramatically discounted price. A previously delayed project was rescued when Williams College and Williamstown partnered to complete the 1.9-megawatt solar farm and begin producing power for use at all municipal facilities — including schools — by Jan. 1, 2017. By Scott Stafford, The Berkshire Eagle, August 1, 2016. [text-blocks id=”26627″ slug=”click-headline-read”]
This Tool Kit Contains All You Need For A Two-Acre,
Off-The-Grid Farm
While some social enterprises try to solve the problem of food security with cheaper groceries or redistributing wasted food, one startup is taking a different approach: a simple tool kit that can help anyone start a tech-enabled farm and grow food efficiently themselves. Farm from a Box built in a modified shipping container that’s designed for easy delivery to remote locations, generates solar power, and collects rainwater (or connects to a well or a city supply). Then it powers a drip irrigation system that can deliver water directly to plants, helping save water and increasing yield. In a year, a farm powered by the kit can grow enough food for 150 people, the organization says. [text-blocks id=”26627″ slug=”click-headline-read”]
Jobs
Experienced Solar Technician – Berkshire Photovoltaic Services – Adams, MA
Research Scientist – SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry – Albany, NY
Greenagers Middle School and High School Program – Various locations in Berkshire County
Greenagers Summer Jobs – Trail Crews & Agricultural Apprentices – Various locations in Berkshire and Columbia Counties
Outdoor Educator – Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, Cropseyville, NY
Weekend Visitors Services Staff – Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox, MA
Phased environmental remediation of 100 Bridge St. not yet approved
By Heather Bellow
The Berkshire Edge
August 3, 2016
The fate of a heavily polluted 8-acre site on Bridge Street may hinge on whether the state Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) says the land can be remediated partially in stages, in addition to whether an all-volunteer town board gives the project a green light.
MassDEP spokesperson Catherine Skiba told the Edge Monday that while the agency has had past conversations about remediating the entire site using the containment method known as “capping,” there have not been discussions about a “partial cap,” or phased capping. She said the site developer, Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire (CDC) “still owes us a Phase IV,” or Remedy Implementation Plan.But as usual, MassDEP officials are saying very little, just before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will make a decision about whether to allow 45 units of affordable housing on 2.2 acres of the site. Town boards, residents, and the ZBA, which reconvenes about the matter August 15, have expressed concern, puzzling over the idea that a housing development might stand alone on a monitored, contained area of soil next to 6 still-toxic acres, since the rest of the development is uncertain.
But CDC Executive Director Tim Geller said it would have been “ludicrous for us to pursue an option we didn’t clear with [MassDEP] ahead.”
Geller also said that the partial capping or phased remediation strategy “is one that [MassDEP] is used to and comfortable with.”
Geller said the CDC last met with MassDEP officials in February, but that was before, for permitting and financial reasons, the $12 million affordable housing development was split off fromthe larger commercial and open space development across the whole site. Geller said Skiba and other officials from the Western Regional Office had attended that meeting, including John Ziegler, Eva Tor and Michael Reid.Geller had previously said it made most sense to remediate the whole site at once. But both he and CDC attorney and board member Peter Pucilosky told the ZBA last week that doing it all at once would be too expensive — around $1 million — and would result in some parts of the site being remediated twice.
Geller said the reason for that February meeting was to talk about the “parameters in which we would write the [remediation] plan going forward.” He said the discussion was about “moving earth around” in such a scenario, and “partial compliance.”
Another meeting with MassDEP officials is scheduled for sometime in the next month, Geller said.
But MassDEP, if it thinks this, isn’t telling, and its online files do not suggest there is anything official to confirm it will approve such a strategy, and may possibly insist the CDC fix the entire site at once. But Geller is confident that past discussions with agency officials have sticking power.Skiba would not comment on whether MassDEP has allowed this sort of partial capping in the past, or for a housing development. Geller said the agency still “looks at it as one site,” but that “doesn’t mean it can’t be remediated in parts.”
“MassDEP is not going to say [no to partial capping], and that’s because we’ve already run that by them,” he said.
Timing-wise it may be that the ZBA issues its comprehensive permit before MassDEP approves CDC’s remediation plan. Geller says it “has become the norm to have permits in place” before environmental approvals, particularly with affordable housing projects. “The conditions [of those permits] are that environmental requirements will be met.”
State law requires that all permits be in place before the housing can be occupied.
The property has long been a struggle for the CDC since they bought it from a bank for $1 about 20 years ago after the New England Log Homes company went belly up. Sitting on a well-traveled bypass from one side of town to another, this blighted land in the heart of this town for years appeared to be a forgotten wasteland.
A 2014 attempt to use a less expensive bioremediation process that would permanently clean the soil hit ill fortune again and again. Dust, heavy rains and ensuing odors, followed by complaints from residents near the site prompted MassDEP to shut the project down for good.Later, a fire took out the remaining New England Log Home structures. The site sat idle, with rusted drums of chemicals used to dip logs still leaching toxins into the soil, leaving it chock full of carcinogenic dioxins and pentachlorophenol (PCP).
According to Biotech Restorations, the company that performed the bioremediation work, soil samples showed between 30 and 60 percent reductions in dioxin levels. Hope spread through the Berkshires that perhaps this was the solution for 100 Bridge and possibly even General Electric’s Housatonic River cleanup.
But MassDEP had already shut the door on that type of remediation, and said it was time to move on and was willing to talk to the CDC about capping strategies. Geller also noted that the MassDevelopment Brownfields program said it wouldn’t pay for bioremediation.
Geller has insisted publicly that MassDEP won’t allow a situation that may harm residents of the housing or neighbors to the site. Berkshire residents are a wary bunch, however, since they watched as the Environmental Protection Agency allowed General Electric to dump its toxic waste next to an elementary school in Pittsfield, which later had to be dug up and fixed due to a faulty landfill liner, and where air monitors on the playground are still active.
But Geller noted how conservative MassDEP was during the bioremediation saga, shutting down work at the first sign of trouble. “MassDEP is all over us on this site,” he said.
Massachusetts Legislature passes renewable energy compromise bill
By
The Massachusetts Legislature late Sunday night sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a compromise energy bill that, while less broad than some senators had hoped, would require the state to purchase significantly more energy from offshore wind and other renewable sources.
“I don’t think that where we ended up is nearly as strong as where the Senate was,” said State Sen. Ben Downing, D-Pittsfield, Senate chairman of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “But both the administration and the House had a far narrower view, and that made for a rather difficult negotiation.”
State Rep. Thomas Golden, D-Lowell, House chairman of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, praised the bill on the House floor. “Today is a celebration for the Massachusetts Legislature,” Golden said. “We are poised with your vote today to pass and authorize the largest procurement of renewable energy in the history of the commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
Golden said in an interview that although the House proposal was not as expansive as the Senate’s, he believes the bill can be built on in future years. “Energy is not a one-shot deal,” Golden said. “I really, truly believe next year we’ll be doing another energy bill, and the year after that we’ll be doing another energy bill.”
The House passed the conference committee report by a 157-1 vote, with State Rep. Jim Lyons, R-Andover, as the sole no vote. The Senate accepted the conference committee report on a voice vote.
The bill, H.4568, requires Massachusetts to solicit long-term contracts to procure 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind power. That figure is halfway between the 1,200 megawatts proposed by the House and the 2,000 megawatts proposed by the Senate.
The bill would also require Massachusetts to solicit long-term contracts for 1,200 megawatts of hydropower or other renewable resources, such as land-based wind or solar. Baker has been a strong advocate for purchasing more Canadian hydropower.
The bill includes Senate language requiring the state to develop a plan to repair gas leaks.
It does not include a Senate amendment that would have barred utilities from charging customers fees to cover the cost of building new natural gas pipelines. Advocates for the energy industry said that would prevent pipelines from being built, which would risk increasing electricity costs for consumers.
One of the biggest disappointments for some senators was that the bill failed to increase the amount of energy that the state requires utilities to buy from renewable sources, the so-called renewable portfolio standards.
“That was the final give on the Senate’s part, and it was no small give,” Downing said. Downing called it “shortsighted” to not increase the standards, but he said the House “was dead set” on not including an increase.
But Golden said the House did not want to increase the standards because that would result in increasing payments made by ratepayers. Golden said the House would be open to taking additional steps in the future.
The bill includes provisions favored by the Senate to increase the use of energy storage technology.
Small in-state hydropower projects would receive a slight increase in a tariff that is paid by ratepayers.
“This is a huge victory for off-shore wind both for our environment and our economy,” said George Bachrach, president of the Environmental League of Massachusetts. “It’s also a victory for diversifying our energy portfolio away from fossil fuels by adding both wind and hydro.”
Bachrach said the requirement for procuring offshore wind will pave the way to build the first commercially scaled wind farm in the U.S.
Bachrach said advocates will continue pushing for more solar projects, greater energy efficiency standards and an end to the building of new gas pipelines.
The bill excludes some Senate-sponsored provisions on energy efficiency, such as requiring home energy audits.
Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, who favored a more expansive bill, said senators wanted to more aggressively replace retiring coal and nuclear plants with renewable energy.
“Whatever we don’t get done now, we’ll be back at it again in January,” Rosenberg said. “Whatever we don’t get now, we will fight again later.”
House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, said, “The Legislature took a major step towards expanding the Commonwealth’s access to clean energy and diversifying its energy resources. This proactive effort to ensure the needs of Massachusetts are met with clean, reliable resources while safeguarding our ratepayers demonstrates our state’s continued leadership in the development and deployment of cost-effective renewable energy.”
Clean energy and environmental advocates generally praised the bill.
Donald Jessome, CEO of Transmission Developers, Inc., said in a statement distributed by the Massachusetts Clean Electricity Partnership, a group of hydropower and onshore wind generation developers: “With today’s vote, Massachusetts has taken an extraordinary step toward diversifying the Commonwealth’s energy portfolio with clean, affordable and reliable hydropower and wind resources while providing electricity customers with ongoing electricity rate predictability and affordability.” Several offshore wind companies also had positive responses.
The environmental group Clean Water Action praised the commitment to offshore wind power and the focus on repairing gas leaks, but criticized lawmakers for not including the ban on fees for natural gas pipelines. “It is disappointing to see the legislature fail to enact pertinent consumer and environmental protections,” said Joel Wool, a spokesman for Clean Water Action.
New England Clean Energy Council Executive Vice President Janet Gail Besser said the bill “will not only accelerate the deployment of clean energy, but will also serve to accelerate our economy by providing a stable policy climate for investors and developers of clean energy.”
Rays to save: Solar project in Williamstown hopes to save big on power costs
The Berkshire Eagle
August 1, 2016
Just as the cost of building a new high school will be ratcheting up tax rates in the Mount Greylock Regional School District, a solar installation will provide power for local schools at a dramatically discounted price.
A previously delayed project was rescued when Williams College and Williamstown partnered to complete the 1.9-megawatt solar farm and begin producing power for use at all municipal facilities — including schools — by Jan. 1, 2017.
According to Town Manager Jason Hoch, the actual cost of the power is still under negotiation, but the savings to the town will be significant — “in the tens of thousands of dollars annually.”
Williams College has dedicated $6 million to the roughly $8 million project. According to college officials, an “equity partner” is being sought to invest the other $2 million, in exchange for solar power tax credits that would be sold to third-party investors.
During the coming months, more than 6,000 solar panels will be installed over about seven acres of the capped landfill off Simonds Road (Route 7), adjacent to the transfer station.
The town began using the site as a landfill in 1973. Nearly 20 years later, landfill operations at the site were closed. With state Department of Environmental Protection oversight, the landfill was capped and received a closure certificate report in 1996.
A previous version of this project, which was designed and would have been built through a private developer, fell apart last year due to unforeseen costs of upgrading a National Grid substation to handle the power load. It was further delayed by state-imposed net-metering caps, said Hoch.
“We had reached a point where the installation as originally planned was no longer financially viable and faced the difficult prospect of abandoning the project altogether,” Hoch said. “Williams’ interest came at precisely the right time to allow us to proceed with this important solar facility that will benefit all of Williamstown.”
Williams College will not use any of the power generated by the solar farm, noted Mary Dettloff, director of media relations at the college. And because the school is a nonprofit, it can’t use any of the solar energy tax credits.
In addition, the college will pay the town $1 per year to lease the land, and pay $29,000 annually in accordance to the structured tax agreement on the value of the solar equipment.
The town will pay the discounted rate to an account that will be used to pay for the cost of the operation of the solar facility and to pay back the college’s investment. The farm has an expected life span of at least 20 years.
The green energy generated will be used to power street lights, the town’s fire station, police headquarters, town hall, the town garage and all the public schools.
The discounted clean power will provide both savings and price stability to the town’s energy budget by locking in a long-term price for electricity at less than half the price the town currently pays. The town will also receive at least 20 years of structured property tax revenue from the landfill, a property that otherwise generates no tax revenue for the community.
“We’re delighted to partner with Williamstown in restarting this solar project,” said Williams President Adam Falk. “As the college moves forward with a wide-ranging set of initiatives to help address the global climate change crisis, we’re pleased to be able to invest in renewable energy right in our own community.”
EOS Ventures of Hancock has been selected by the college to serve as development consultants for the project. With substantial experience in developing and financing renewable energy projects throughout the region, EOS will undertake full oversight of all development and construction activities associated with the project, including permitting, interconnecting with National Grid, and sourcing contractors and materials, Dettloff said.
According to Tyler Fairbank, CEO of EOS Ventures, Lanesborough-based Gable Electric will construct the array. Work is expected to begin in mid-August with completion anticipated in two to three months.
“We’re using an experienced local contractor to do a project that is going to benefit the town, the college, the tax payers and the environment,” Fairbank said.
Dettloff said the arrangement between the college, the town and EOS Ventures is a unique approach.
“This was a really creative way of doing this,” she said. “We couldn’t find another doing anything like this.”
This Tool Kit Contains All You Need For A Two-Acre, Off-The-Grid Farm
By Adele Peters
Fast Company
August 2, 2016
While some social enterprises try to solve the problem of food security with cheaper groceries or redistributing wasted food, one startup is taking a different approach: a simple tool kit that can help anyone start a tech-enabled farm and grow food efficiently themselves.
Farm from a Box built in a modified shipping container that’s designed for easy delivery to remote locations, generates solar power, and collects rainwater (or connects to a well or a city supply). Then it powers a drip irrigation system that can deliver water directly to plants, helping save water and increasing yield. In a year, a farm powered by the kit can grow enough food for 150 people, the organization says.
“Rather than giving people short-term food aid, we can do better, by giving people the tools and infrastructure they need to do it on their own,” says Brandi DeCarli, one of the cofounders.
The startup is raising funds on Republic, a new equity crowdfunding site that focuses on mission-driven companies. “With the traditional funding models, being an accredited investor excludes a great deal of people—like 97% of the public—from being able to get involved and support different startups,” she says. “When we put this system and this business together to benefit people on a broad level, it made sense that we would also sort of have it powered by the people.”
As an equity crowdfunding platform, unlike a site like Kickstarter, backers don’t get direct promised rewards. But they do have the opportunity to make some money if the startup succeeds. It’s also different from Kickstarter or Indiegogo in that only a handful of companies are chosen to be featured—Republic is looking for innovative companies with diverse teams and a social mission. It’s also looking for particular qualities in a team.
“When it comes to early-stage investing, it’s not so much about the idea or the traction, it’s about the team—are they resilient enough, are they passionate enough?” says Republic cofounder Kendrick Nguyen, who was an angel investor before starting the site. “It has to be able to survive, because entrepreneurship is very difficult, and there’s going to be a lot of up and downs.”
Farm from a Box was chosen as one of the companies for Republic’s launch. With the funding—aiming for at least $250,000—the startup plans to launch two of its own first farms. One, in West Sacramento, will give newly resettled refugees from Bhutan and Nepal a chance to farm.
“Not only do these farmers get to grow the food that they’re used to eating with their own cuisine, they get to earn income with it. They have the opportunity to really develop their own community, and connect with the surrounding community within West Sacramento,” says DeCarli.
A second farm will give returning veterans in Virginia—who are often struggling to find work—a chance to earn an income and grow food. The investment will also help Farm from a Box to prepare for large-scale manufacturing, so it can begin delivery to a long list of customers who want to buy the kit.
Republic hopes to use its platform to launch many similar companies that might not have had a chance in the normal VC world. “Having been an insider in the venture ecosystem, the gender gap and the minority gap is obvious,” Nguyen says. “The best and most efficient way of leveling that playing field is by making sure that financing is coming from a distributed source. If you allow everyone to fund companies, you will see more types of companies—more types of teams—being funded.”
Jobs
Experienced Solar Technician
About Berkshire Photovoltaic Services (BPVS)
Since 1985 our mission has been to install safe, efficient & durable PV systems. We are looking for an Experienced Solar Technician to join our team! BPVS is fully licensed (MA HIC 131996) and insured for commercial, institutional and residential PV systems. All of our installations are fully permitted and approved. BPVS has helped pave the way for PV acceptance by installing the first solar electric systems in over 90 jurisdictions and several utility territories. Office Phone: 413-743-0152.
Job Duties
PV installation tasks
Qualifications
At least 2 Years working in solar field
10 Hour OSHA Card
Drivers license (with a clean record)
Plus but not required:
CSL
NABCEP Certified
Experience working with AutoCAD
Send resume & cover letter to Becca Martin at Becca@bpvs.com
Rebecca Martin
BPVS (Berkshire Photovoltaic Services)
46 Howland Ave
Adams, MA 01220
Tel: 413.743.0152
Fax: 413.743.4827
www.bpvs.com
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Research Scientist – SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry – Albany, NY
Category: Research Foundation
Department: EFB
Locations: Albany, NY
Posted: Jun 27, ’16
Type: Full-time
About College of Environmental Science and Forestry: Founded in 1911, the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is the nation’s oldest and most respected school dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies and building a sustainable future. The ESF main campus is in Syracuse, NY and has regional campuses throughout Central New York and the Adirondack Park. ESF consistently earns high rankings in US News and World Report, Forbes, Peterson’s Guide, The Washington Monthly, Princeton Review and other national college guidebooks.
Job Description:
Title: Research Scientist
Department: Environmental and Forest Biology
Salary: $50,000 minimum
Duration: Through March 2018, with likely continuation through March 2023
Location: Albany, NY (New York State DEC Headquarters)
Brief Description of Duties: This position will work closely with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Bureau of Wildlife (BOW) staff and will function as the BOW’s Data Scientist. This position will assist the Game Management Section with annual monitoring efforts by maintaining current systems in antiquated database software (i.e., Visual FoxPro and Turbo Pascal) while simultaneously working to upgrade the programs in a modern data analysis language (i.e., R or Python) and database platforms (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, sqllite, or MS Access). The position will seek opportunities to streamline and automate the workflow and data flow involved in annually recurring surveys conducted by the Game Management and Wildlife Diversity Sections.
The Research Scientist also serves as a consultant to BOW staff throughout the state and research collaborators, providing direct support with statistical analyses, guidance on sampling designs, evaluation of project proposals to ensure statistical validity, assistance with preparation and review of technical reports and manuscripts, and response to data requests from staff and the public.
Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Oversee annually recurring deer harvest estimation. This is a major project and involves validation of all input data sources (e.g., harvest reports from hunters, biological data from field checked deer, etc.), statistical analyses (descriptive and inferential), development of summary tables, and appending estimates to several long-term databases and spreadsheets.
Oversee data validation and analysis of annual data collection from a variety of wildlife observation surveys (e.g., bow hunter sighting log, big game hunter survey, grouse and turkey hunter logs, drumming surveys, incidental sightings) to monitor relative abundance of deer, bear, moose, turkey, selected furbearers, and other game and non-game wildlife species statewide. Evaluate and refine as appropriate.
Provide technical guidance on data management systems, maintain and update computer programs used to analyze survey data, and help identify and correct sources of errors that occur in telephone, internet and scannable form reporting systems.
Provide statistical expertise and consultation for design and analysis of wildlife population research, user surveys, and monitoring programs and evaluate those surveys and programs after implementation.
Provide user-friendly reports and data queries from the above surveys as needed for public information or management purposes.
Assist BOW biologists in the preparation of peer-reviewed manuscripts and technical reports.
Train and supervise support staff to assist with data quality assurance and validation procedures.
Travel around New York State as needed to meet with and make presentations to regional staff, other professionals, and wildlife management stakeholders.
Requirements:
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree and two years of professional research experience, OR a Master’s Degree and one year of professional research experience, in biometrics, biostatistics, data sciences, wildlife population ecology or related field.
Expertise MS Access and with one or more statistical programming language such as R, Python, and/or SAS.
Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships and collaborate with diverse personalities on project teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s Degree and two years of professional research experience, OR a PhD, in biometrics, biostatistics, data sciences, wildlife population ecology or related field.
Proficient with a version control system for software development (e.g., Git, Subversion, etc.)
Familiarity with Turbo Pascal and/or MS Visual FoxPro
Proficient at writing custom functions and/or packages in R and/or Python
Strong familiarity with relational databases and proficient using SQL
Experience developing dashboards such as RShiny Flex Dashboards, ArcGIS Dashboard for Operations, Rbokeh, Python bokeh, etc.
Proficiency with likelihood-based and Bayesian inference.
Experience working closely with state or federal wildlife agency staff.
Advanced user of ArcGIS for Desktop.
Additional Information: In accordance with the “Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act” institutions of higher education are required to prepare an annual report containing information on campus security policies and campus statistics. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by SUNY-ESF; and on property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a printed copy of this report by contacting SUNY-ESF University Police at 315-470-6667 or by accessing the following web site: http://www.esf.edu/univpolice/crimereports/
As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer, the Research Foundation will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin and veteran or disability status.
Application Instructions:
Date to Be Filled: August 1, 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Application Deadline: Although the college will accept applications until the position is filled, interested candidates should submit their materials by July 15, 2016 to ensure optimal consideration.
Application Procedure: Employment application must be submitted on-line. Be sure to include contact information for a minimum of 3 references in your resume/CV.
Seasonal Outdoor Educator –
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, Grafton, NY
Experience needed: Experience working with children in the outdoors required. Some experience in outdoor recreation preferred. Education required: Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences or Education.
Job Requirements: Must be able to perform physical work in the outdoors, be able to work some weekends and evenings and possess a valid driver’s license.
To apply: Please send resume and Rensselaer County application (available at www.rensco.com) to: Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyille, New York 12052 or contact Lisa Hoyt at 518 658-2055 ordykenpond@gmail.com. Applications accepted until position is filled.
Visit our website for more information about our summer camp and programs at:http://www.dykenpond.org
Dyken Pond
Environmental Education Center
475 Dyken Pond Road
Cropseyville, New York 12052
518 658-2055
Greenagers Summer Jobs
Greenagers employs 50 youth each year for work on local trails and farms, through our trail crews (3 in Berkshire County and 2 in Columbia County) and our Farm Apprenticeships. Click here to find out more information and apply online.
Greenagers’ Summer Programs
Greenagers has some great summertime opportunities for middle and high school students.
For middle-schoolers living in and/or attending SBRSD: Greenagers is hosting a summer environmental program exploring our conservation areas and local farms. Activities will include hikes, canoeing, farm visits, and service projects with our community partners. These partners include The Nature Conservancy, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Sheffield Land Trust, Indian Line Farm, Trustees of Reservations, and many more. Our main goal with this program is to provide engaging, thought provoking activities that promote a deeper connection with our local resources. For more information, please contact Greenagers: 413-644-9090 /office@greenagers.org.
For Berkshire County high schoolers: we currently have two spots available on our community trail crews. These are paid summertime positions. Please contact Elia for more information.
Weekend Visitor Services Staff
Responsible for staffing the admissions office, Sundays, 10am – 4pm and some Monday holidays, greeting visitors, answering telephones, selling books, gifts, and bird feeders, processing registrations for programs, events and camp and generally representing Pleasant Valley and Mass Audubon to the public.
If you are looking for a part time position, have a love of nature, and enjoy sharing that enthusiasm with our visitors, this is a great opportunity for you. This is a year round position, however seasonal applicants will also be considered.
Qualifications
- Friendliness, tact, dependability, enthusiasm and a desire to work with people.
- Ability to deal with the varied pace of a public attraction necessary (there can be over 400 visitors on a busy day).
- Experience with handling money, using a cash register and credit card machine.
- Ability to take responsibility for office without additional staff.
- Customer service experience preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn basic computer programs.
- An interest in natural history is helpful, natural history background a plus.
- Must pass a background records check (CORI and SORI).
Compensation and Benefits – Rate of pay $10-$11.00/hr
How to Apply
Please email your resume and cover letter to: