Bear Mountain State Park receives over two million visitors annually and about 400,000 visitors explore Trailside’s nature trail, animal exhibits, and museums. As an affordable destination within an hour’s drive of the New York metro region, Trailside serves a diverse audience, including many patrons from underserved communities.

This position spans both our education and animal care programs. The Trailside Education Program seeks to bring visitors into meaningful contact with the plants, animals, geology, and history of the Hudson Highlands, specifically what can be found along the trails of Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks. It is our goal to foster in all visitors a greater understanding, appreciation, and respect for the natural world. We achieve this goal through informal education for individuals and families; guided tours for schools and other groups; special events open to the public; and topical presentations in spring, summer, and fall. The Trailside Animal Care Program, which is integral to education and the visitor experience, provides husbandry for our local injured and non-releasable wildlife housed along Trailside’s nature trail, as well as live fish, reptiles, and amphibians (most non-releasable) in one of the museums. The animal care assistants feed, maintain, and care for the live animal collection. Given that many of the animals have permanent injuries, this care includes careful observation and monitoring of animal health. It is a shared goal of the Animal Care and Education Programs for the live animals at Trailside to serve as ambassadors for their species in our effort to educate our visitors about the natural world and our role as responsible stewards.

Through our orientation and training, the EE/AC will learn important tools and skills for both animal care and environmental interpretation. The EE/AC will work with the Zookeepers, Educators, and other staff to enhance the interpretive experience for patrons of Trailside. The EE/AC will directly interact with the public through small impromptu “teaching moments” at the exhibits and more formal live animal presentations. The EE/AC will receive hands-on experience in animal care, husbandry and education and interpretation. The EE/AC will also collaborate with the Education staff to conduct seasonal public programs, special events and guided tours. Additionally, the EE/AC may assist Trailside staff and other interns with ongoing volunteer projects, including restoration of the Trailside grounds to a native plant community and general upkeep of the facilities.

The work schedule will be Tuesday – Saturday. Hours are 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM. Schedule may vary due to program needs. In a typical week, two full workdays will be spent working with the education department, and two with the zookeeping department. The other day will consist of morning zookeeping and afternoon education. The term of this 7-month position is March 2, 2026 through October 16, 2026.

Housing is provided in a stone cottage shared with up to 2 other interns. Each intern has a private bedroom. Electric, heat & water utilities included. The cottage is a short walk from Trailside Museums & Zoo. You will be required to be a respectful roommate and responsible occupant of the house, including cleaning personal and common areas, light yard work, and reporting maintenance needs.

This position is administered through the Student Conservation Association (www.thesca.org). In addition to your daily duties at Trailside Museums and Zoo, you will be required to participate in SCA events, such as orientation, training, meetings, and service projects.

Location: Trailside Museums & Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park, Bear Mountain, NY 10911

Salary: $440/week living allowance. AmeriCorps Education Award for successful completion of term of service: $5,176.50

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must be a citizen of the United States of America.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must have own vehicle.
• Confident driving a 15-passenger van and pickup trucks.
• Must be comfortable working with animals.
• Must be detail oriented, flexible, self-motivated, dependable, tolerant and have excellent communication skills.
• Must be comfortable and enjoy interacting with people of all ages, especially children.

Physical qualifications

• Must be able to perform strenuous work.
• Must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs.
• Must be able to stoop and climb stairs.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to shovel snow.
• Must be able to stand or be on your feet for long periods of time.
• Ability to lead hikes of several miles.
• Must have excellent hand-eye coordination.
• If unable to meet the above physical qualifications, please notify in your application. Trailside Museums & Zoo can make reasonable accommodations.

Prior experience at a zoo, animal hospital, or similar facility is desired, though not a pre-requisite. Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences or education preferred. Experience working with children is preferred. General knowledge of local flora and fauna is desired. Weekend and holiday work is required.