WNY PRISM is Now Hiring!

WNY PRISM is currently hiring for Watercraft Inspection Steward/Environmental Educators (13).

Watercraft Inspection Steward/Environmental Educators

The WNY PRISM Watercraft Inspection Steward Program is designed to prevent the transport, spread and establishment of aquatic invasive species while increasing public awareness of this threat. WNY PRISM Watercraft Inspection Steward/Environmental Educators (Stewards) are an essential component of this program and will represent WNY PRISM while working toward improving environmental health. Stewards will interact daily with the public at boat launches performing boat inspections to remove visible aquatic plants and animals from all types of watercraft and will be responsible for public education and distribution of educational materials. Removal of aquatic plants and animals will help to prevent the transport and spread of aquatic invasive species. Stewards will also have the opportunity to assist with invasive species survey and removal projects, such as early detection/rapid response and control efforts, to monitor and reduce established populations of both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species. This is a field position and candidates should expect to spend the majority of their time outdoors.

Stewards will be assigned to a single, primary launch; however, coverage needs may require occasional travel to other launches. Stewards are required to attend a mandatory, two-day training prior to beginning work at their assigned launches.

List of boat launches:

• Amherst Veterans Canal Park (Buffalo)
• Ohio Street (Buffalo)
• Wide Waters Marina (Lockport)
• Niawanda Park (City of Tonawanda)
• Sturgeon Point (Town of Evans)
• Botanical Gardens Park (North Tonawanda)
• Gratwick-Riverside Park (North Tonawanda)
• Griffon Park (Niagara Falls)
• Olcott Harbor (Olcott)
• West Canal Park and Marina (North Tonawanda)
• Hanover Town Launch (Irving)
• Onoville Marina (Steamburg)
• Cuba Lake (Cuba)

To view the boat launches on a map, please visit WNY PRISM’s Watercraft Inspection Stewardship Program page. 

WNY PRISM is also hiring 2 Lead Stewards. Lead Stewards will assist the Program Manager with training, scheduling, supervision and reporting for the Watercraft Inspection Stewardship Program.

This is a full-time, temporary position (40 hours/week, $20.00/hr., Leads @ $21.00/hr.) with an expected timeframe of May 21, 2024 – September 2, 2024 (Memorial Day – Labor Day) for Stewards, and May 16, 2024 – September 20, 2024, for Lead Stewards. All Stewards will be required to attend the two-day mandatory training in May. The standard work week will be comprised of 4, 10-hour days, Thursday – Sunday, 7:00 – 5:30. Position is dependent upon final approval of funding.

Weekends and Holidays are mandatory. Housing is not provided. WNY PRISM is hiring 11 Stewards and 2 Lead Stewards.

Please see full job descriptions and apply online at: https://www.rfhiring.com/jobDesc.asp?JobID=240. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Applications will be reviewed beginning Friday, March 22, 2024. Please follow all application directions, failure to do so may disqualify you from the position. Please provide cover letter, resume, launch preferences and 3 professional references as a single attachment. Please indicate your launch preferences and if you are interested in a Lead Steward position in your cover letter. We can’t guarantee you will be offered your first choice of launches.

Questions can be directed to Andrea Locke, Coordinator at lockeas@buffalostate.edu. No phone calls please.

Please clearly indicate launch preferences and which position(s) you’re applying for.

Internships

WNY PRISM provides opportunities for students in need of an internship to fulfill class requirements, or for others looking for professional experience as they prepare for their careers. These are unpaid positions.

Interns are accepted for spring semester only (Jan – May), but applications are accepted throughout the preceding fall semester, beginning in September. The application deadline for consideration is January 10. Applications are considered as they are received and positions may be filled prior to the application deadline.

To apply, interested students must submit a resume, internship requirements (if applicable) and a project idea or description of the type of project they are interested in. The project proposal should include the reason for your interest in the specific project and/or in WNY PRISM and invasive species management, and should be no longer than a single page. WNY PRISM can’t guarantee we’ll be able to support your specific project, but if selected into the intern program, staff will work with you to find a similar project that meets both your interest and WNY PRISM needs.

WNY PRISM is hosted by the Great Lakes Center at Buffalo State University, but the program is open to everyone.

For more information, please contact Andrea Locke, WNY PRISM Coordinator at lockeas@buffalostate.edu.

*Additional job opportunities with our partners are distributed through the WNY PRISM Listserv. For details on how to sign-up for our Listserv, please click here.