CAPITAL REGION PRISM

Now Hiring for Seasonal Terrestrial and Aquatic Positions

The Capital Region Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (CR-PRISM) hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County is seeking motivated and qualified Invasive Species Technicians and Watercraft Inspection Stewards to help protect our lands and waters by joining our team. Invasive Species Technicians and Watercraft Inspection Stewards are responsible for delivering conservation-based prevention, detection, management, and restoration programs designed to protect the environment from the negative impacts of invasive species.

The CR-PRISM is administering a set of deliverables for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation with financial support through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund. Seasonal Technicians and Watercraft Inspection Stewards will work throughout the eleven counties of the Capital Region while advancing conservation programs. Come and join our team today and help protect our natural resources.

Click the links below to fill out an application.

Invasive Species Technicians
Apply by 2/12/2026

Watercraft Inspection Stewards
Suggested Apply by 3/20/2026, positions open until filled

Role of the PRISM

The Capital Region Partnership for Invasive Species Management (CR-PRISM) is a collaborative organization created to address the threat of invasive species. CR-PRISM is a not-for-profit quasi-governmental agency hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County. The CR-PRISM strategically operates across eleven counties and is financially supported by the Environmental Protection Fund as administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC). The Capital Region PRISM is one of eight Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management or PRISMs in New York State.

The CR-PRISM works in collaboration with partner groups to promote prevention, education, and outreach strategies, create early detection and response networks, and execute best management practices for invasive species control including post-treatment monitoring and restoration actions. In addition, we support research involving studies pertaining to the ecological impact and effective control of invasive species. Work is also conducted to help train volunteers and community scientists in these measures. The goal of these efforts is to protect conservation targets within our communities and slow the spread of invasive species. These initiatives are reflected in the CR-PRISM Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

To promote regional cohesiveness to reduce the spread and impact of invasive species, CR-PRISM collaborates with several dozen Principal and Strategic Partners, including Cooperating Affiliates, in a Partnership. Members belong to academic institutions, government agencies, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, private preserves and parks, land trusts, conservancies, lake associations, agricultural institutions, local businesses, tribal groups, environmental groups, and community scientists. All are welcome. For more information on our Partnership please check out our Partner Invite and Acknowledgement and contact a coordinator.

What are Invasive Species?

An invasive species is a species that is nonnative to the ecosystem under consideration, and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. The harm must significantly outweigh any benefits.

How do Invasive Species Spread?

Invasive species can spread in a variety of ways, some of them are natural, but many are human assisted. Invasive species seeds and other materials can get on your gear and move from place to place! Some other ways invasive species can spread are:

By tagging along on international trade
Hitchhiking on vehicles (cars, boats, trains, etc.)
Storm events and via waterways
Seeds or propagules attached to your pets or wild animals

How do you report an Invasive Species?

NY iMapInvasives is an online, collaborative, GIS-based database and mapping tool that serves as the official invasive species database for New York State. You can use the iMap mobile app to report invasive species anywhere that you see them!