Outdoor Conservation Teaching Assistant

Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES; City of Johnstown (NY); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES is seeking a Teaching Assistant for the Environmental Conservation Program. You will support classroom, laboratory, shop, and outdoor field instruction and help students gain practical skills in forestry, wildlife conservation, landscaping, and land management.

You will assist with tool safety, PPE, and project-based learning, collaborating with instructors and community partners to prepare students for careers in environmental conservation and natural resource

Qualifications

• New York State Teaching Assistant Certification or ability to obtain certification.
• Experience in environmental conservation, forestry, or natural resources preferred.
• Experience safely operating tools and equipment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Willingness to mentor students and support learning.
• Ability to collaborate with instructors, staff, and community partners.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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 PPE, equipment operation, job-site safety, and industry-standard safety practices.
• 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 conservation principles.
• Support field-based projects involving forestry, trail development, habitat improvement, landscaping, land maintenance, and other conservation activities.
• Reinforce workplace readiness skills including teamwork, communication, professionalism, dependability, problem-solving, time management, leadership, and safety awareness.
• 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, postsecondary 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.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Mentoring

Safety awareness

Education

New York State Teaching Assistant Certification

Tools

Hand tools

Power equipment

Forestry tools

Landscaping equipment

Job description

Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES is seeking a Teaching Assistant for the Environmental Conservation Program. You will support classroom, laboratory, shop, and outdoor field instruction and help students gain practical skills in forestry, wildlife conservation, landscaping, and land management.

You will assist with tool safety, PPE, and project-based learning, collaborating with instructors and community partners to prepare students for careers in environmental conservation and natural resource