Temporary Community Ambassador

Scenic Hudson, Inc.; City of Poughkeepsie (NY); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Scenic Hudson is hiring Temporary Community Ambassadors to support a 15-month planning initiative in Poughkeepsie. You'll engage residents, collect input on creekside parks and climate resilience, and liaise with City officials and the design team to inform planning outcomes, ensuring local voices guide future development.

The part-time role (Sept 2026–June 2027; 10–15 hours/month) offers $20/hour, training, materials, and flexible evening/weekend outreach.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in local issues such as environmental justice, climate resilience and public spaces.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to connect across diverse backgrounds.
• Willingness to engage communities using scripts while maintaining authentic conversations.
• Available for some evening and weekend outreach as needed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct surveys and gather input from community members
• Expand neighborhood participation, particularly among underrepresented residents
• Collect and document community stories and concerns about Fall Kill Creek
• Engage in weekly outreach activities: door-to-door canvassing, tabling, phone banking, small-group conversations
• Share project updates and distribute informational materials in local neighborhoods
• Invite residents to workshops and public meetings to maximize attendance and participation
• Attend Northside Collaborative meetings (2-3 hours per month) and represent community priorities
• Provide feedback on engagement strategies and materials to improve accessibility
• Support events and evaluate engagement effectiveness
• Contribute to building long-term community leadership along the Fall Kill Creek corridor

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Bilingual in English & Spanish

Communicate effectively

Public outreach

Attendance reliability

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Legal Address - Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Position Type: Part Time

Salary Range: $20.00 - $20.00 Hourly

Position Title: Temporary Community Ambassador

Reporting to: Director of Urban Conservation

Our Mission: To sustain and enhance the Hudson Valley’s inspirational beauty and health for generations to come.

Mission of Position: Scenic Hudson is seeking four dedicated Community Ambassadors to support a 15-month community planning initiative focused on improving Poughkeepsie’s Fall Kill Creek corridor. This effort centers on engaging residents in conversations about creekside parks, public access, neighborhood vitality, and climate resilience.

Community Ambassadors will serve as trusted liaisons between residents, the City of Poughkeepsie, and the design team to ensure that local voices meaningfully inform the future of the Fall Kill Creek and the neighborhoods through which it flows.

This opportunity is designed for people who are passionate about the community of Poughkeepsie and eager to increase participation in planning efforts that shape public space, access to nature, environmental resilience, and neighborhood development.

Principle Responsibilities:

• Conduct surveys and gather input from community members
• Expand neighborhood participation, particularly among residents historically underrepresented in planning processes
• Collect and document community stories, concerns, priorities, and lived experiences related to the Fall Kill Creek
• Participate in weekly outreach activities, including door-to-door canvassing, tabling, phone banking, and small-group conversations
• Share project updates and distribute informational materials within local neighborhoods
• Invite residents to community workshops, pop-up events, and public meetings to help ensure strong attendance and survey participation
• Attend and actively participate in Northside Collaborative meetings (approximately 2-3 hours per month)
• Represent community priorities and concerns to Scenic Hudson and MASS Design planning teams
• Provide feedback on engagement strategies and communication materials to improve accessibility and inclusivity
• Support community events and assist in evaluating engagement effectiveness
• Contribute to building long-term community leadership and stewardship for the Fall Kill Creek corridor

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in local issues such as environmental justice, climate resilience, parks and public spaces, neighborhood stabilization, and/or youth engagement
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect across diverse backgrounds
• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred; additional language skills are a plus
• Ability to use provided scripts and talking points while engaging in authentic, respectful conversations
• Comfortable conducting in-person outreach and community engagement
• Reliable and able to attend scheduled meetings, outreach events, and engagement activities
• Availability for some evening and weekend outreach as needed

Compensation: Competitive salary of: $20.00 per hour

Duration: Part-time (approximately 10-15 hours/month) from September 2026 to June 2027 (9 months)

Training & Support:

Community Ambassadors will receive:

• Canvassing training
• “Know Your Rights” training
• Ongoing mentorship and logistical support from Scenic Hudson and partners
• Branded materials and supplies for engagement activities
• Branded uniform

Scenic Hudson provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type. Decisions related to all terms and conditions of employment are made without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.