Hudson Access Project Summer Fellowship

Overview

Summer Data Collection 2024: field work and desktop research

This is an opportunity for summer work outside! Help us build a public access database inventory for the Hudson-Raritan Estuary. The position is for 20 hours per week, for 10 – 12 weeks between June 3 through mid August with a total stipend of $4,200 for the summer.

To apply please submit a resume and letter of interest to hudsonaccessproject@gmail.com by May 3rd 2024.

The Hudson Access Project is building a comprehensive water access dataset and interactive map to empower individuals to connect with the Hudson – Raritan Estuary. The website and database provide insights into accessibility, amenities, facilities, and regulations, allowing the public to make informed decisions regarding their waterfront experiences. The database is also a resource for urban planning and understanding public access in terms of environmental justice and equitable access. This data collection fellowship is intended to address missing data and to validate existing data.

HAP seeks a graduate student for the summer fellowship who is located in New Jersey for data collection around the estuary, including Raritan Bay and the Lower Raritan, Hudson, Passaic and Hacksack Rivers and other tributaries. Data will be collected through site visits and desktop research.
The position is remote with regular field work and one or two opportunities for in-person meetings.

Site visits:
Data will be collected in the field with a digital survey (Fulcrum), and guided by a geographic list of prioritized sites. Sites can be visited by bike, car or public transit.

Desktop research:
Many sites can be researched through Google and online resources. Using the existing dataset and prioritization list, half of the summer fellowship hours will be dedicated to desktop research where significant ground can be covered quickly. This work can be done remotely and may use GIS to edit existing spatial data and establish / validate site boundaries and precise access point locations.

Candidates should have a strong interest in working outside, in public access and in participating in creating a large and complex geospatial dataset. Ability to work independently and collaboratively is important, as is comfort and experience with GIS.

The HAP team and two data collection fellows (the other based in Brooklyn) will meet to set goals, check in and review data biweekly or as needed. There is an opportunity for data collection fellows to present their work to the Public Access Work Group hosted by the NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program in the fall.

The summer data collection fellowship will be managed by the Hudson Access Project team at Pratt Institute. The project is funded by funds provided by the US EPA for the NY-NJ Harbor & Hudson Estuary Program / Hudson River Foundation and a NY State Department of Environmental Conservation River Access Grant.