Groundwork Hudson Valley is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to “changing places and changing lives” in the lower Hudson Valley. Our mission is to create sustainable environmental change in urban neighborhoods through community-based partnerships that promote equity, youth leadership, and economic opportunity. Program areas include climate resilience, sustainability education, and youth leadership development. Groundwork partners with neighborhood residents, private and non-profit partners, local businesses, and government officials to identify environmental improvements that will advance equitable, healthy, vibrant communities and empower the next generation of community leaders.

Groundwork Hudson Valley is hiring one Part-Time Seasonal Science Barge Assistant to assist with various tasks including tours of the Science Barge, programming, and maintaining growing systems.  The summer work flow is replete with growing plants, laughing and learning which provides for a very dynamic work experience. 

Job Summary

Groundwork Hudson Valley is seeking a Science Barge Assistant to support programming and maintenance at the Science Barge.  The Science Barge is an off-the-grid floating farm and education center on the Hudson River, situated in downtown Yonkers since 2008.  Each year, it produces an abundance of fresh produce and native seeds that are donated and shared with the community.  The Science Barge runs entirely on solar energy and wind turbines, while its hydroponic greenhouse is irrigated with collected and purified rainwater.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and assist with Science Barge tours, answering questions about the Barge and its sustainability features.
• Perform greenhouse maintenance, including sweeping, mopping, and cleaning counters.
• Maintain outdoor raised beds, including watering, pruning, harvesting, planting, and related tasks.
• Maintain growing systems, including refilling reservoirs, monitoring and adding nutrients, and ensuring systems are organized and in working order.
• Support care for live organisms, including feeding and handling them for public interaction.
• Implement integrated pest management techniques, such as the removal of aphids and the release of ladybugs and lacewings.
• Address safety hazards, ensuring the Barge floor is free of debris and trip hazards.
• Assisting with occasional weekend educational programming.
• Working on seed care worksheets and database.

Qualifications: 

• Background and interest in education preferred.
• Background and interest in hydroponics, urban agriculture, food sustainability, environmental education, and biology are a plus.
• Must be able to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs.
• Passion for the guiding values and mission of Groundwork, including a commitment to environmental equity and justice.

Work Schedule:

This is a part-time position.

Working hours are 15 hours per week, June 15th – October 31st, with the following schedule: weekends (Saturday – Sunday), 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM.

Note: The Science Barge is closed to the public on the July 4th weekend, but watering will still be required.

Compensation:

The salary for this position is $18.00 per hour.

Duration:

June 15th – October 31st, 2026