The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) is seeking applications for our Summer 2025 Housatonic River Steward internships. River Stewards will assist with tasks related to watershed protection, wildlife conservation, and the community engagement aspects of natural resource management.

In addition to learning and professional development provided by HVA staff, River Stewards will have opportunities to connect with a variety of partners collaborating with HVA to restore and protect the Housatonic River watershed. This includes municipal staff and officials; regional, state, and federal agencies; partner non-profit organizations; and local businesses.

River Steward positions are based out of HVA’s main office in Cornwall Bridge, CT, and will focus primarily on HVA’s conservation work in the Connecticut and New York regions of the Housatonic River watershed. There will be occasional opportunities for work in the Berkshires. This is a full-time (40 hours/week) contract position lasting approximately 12 weeks from mid-June through Labor Day. River Stewards must commit to working at least one weekend day/week, including the July 4th weekend and Labor Day weekend.

Internship Overview

We anticipate River Stewards will spend approximately 60% of their time in the field, and 40% of their time in the office. This may change based on the needs of HVA.

The 2025 River Stewards will collaborate closely with HVA staff to support a variety of projects:

River Information and Outreach (RIO) Program:

River Stewards will visit popular recreation sites along the federally designated Wild and Scenic Housatonic River (this 45-mile reach runs from the Massachusetts/Connecticut border to the Town of New Milford, CT), and engage with visitors to share information about water safety and sustainable use of the river and its resources, while collecting data related to visitor use that will inform future management decisions. They will also conduct stewardship activities at these sites, including but not limited to trash cleanup and invasive species control, and be responsible for regular updates to HVA’s @housatonicinfo Instagram page.

Stream Corridor Assessments and Water Quality Monitoring:

River Stewards will support HVA staff in the field by conducting “streamwalks” in regions targeted for management planning. They will document threats to water quality and habitat and help identify restoration opportunities to address those threats. Stewards will also collect and manage chemical and biological data to support watershed management planning efforts and track the effectiveness of restoration projects like rain gardens and culvert replacements.

Restoration Project Maintenance:

River Stewards will conduct maintenance activities at restoration project sites where initial installations have been completed, including but not limited to watering restoration plantings and controlling invasive species.

Non-Profit Development and Engagement:

River Stewards will assist HVA’s Advancement/Communications team with member outreach and public engagement through social media, website, and E-blast content development; event planning and support; and educational initiatives. They will learn how to draft messaging consistent with the HVA brand, help attract new supporters, and assist with donor campaigns.

River Stewards will also have the opportunity to complete an individual project that furthers our Follow the Forest and Clean, Cold & Connected initiatives, with guidance from HVA Land Protection and Watershed Conservation staff.

Desired Qualifications:

The ideal River Steward is detail-oriented, highly motivated, passionate about environmental conservation, and able to succeed both independently and as part of a team. Candidates that come to HVA with some or all of the following qualifications will be most competitive:

• Comfort with approaching and interacting with the public.
• Strong organization and data management skills.
• Experience with field data collection using GPS.
• Experience with data management and analysis using GIS.
• Experience with communication through social media.
• Experience with event planning.

Requirements:

• A valid Driver License and daily access to a reliable personal vehicle. HVA does not provide vehicles for staff use, but reimburses the use of personal vehicles at the Federal Mileage Reimbursement Rate.
• Enthusiasm for outdoor field work and ability to safely complete tasks under inclement environmental conditions (heat, rain, clouds of mosquitos, ticks, rash-inducing and thorny plants, etc.).
• Physical ability to complete strenuous field work (i.e., physically active labor outside for several hours at a time under inclement conditions).
• Ability to work at least one weekend day each weekend (including 4th of July weekend and Labor Day weekend).
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to represent HVA in a professional manner at all times.

Compensation:

River Stewards will be compensated at a rate of $18/hour. Work-related travel will be compensated at the Federal Mileage Reimbursement Rate. Housing is not provided. HVA will assist successful applicants in finding summer lodging near the HVA office, if necessary.

Who we are:

HVA is the only conservation organization dedicated to the entire tri-state Housatonic Watershed, from the Berkshires to Long Island Sound. Our work protects forests, restores streams, helps ecosystems and communities in the Watershed adapt to changing conditions, and promotes sustainable use of our outstanding natural resources by residents and visitors. Collaboration with partner agencies and organizations, community leaders, and citizens concerned about their local environment is essential to the success of everything we do.

Learn more about HVA at hvatoday.org.

HVA is an equal opportunity employer. If you have the drive, interest, and skills to succeed in this position, tell us about how you can help, and we will consider your application. HVA provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons and administers personnel policies and practices in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws.