Lead Watercraft Stewards &
Watercraft Stewards
- Lead Watercraft Steward (3 positions)
- Watercraft Steward (21 positions)
As part of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County’s Capital Region Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) program, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Watercraft Stewards provide public education and outreach at boat launches regarding statewide Clean, Drain, Dry practices in order to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Watercraft Stewards collect research data daily from interactions with the public using the Survey123 Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Application (WISPA).
Lead Watercraft Stewards assist in providing oversight to Watercraft Stewards. Lead Stewards work independently and travel frequently between various boat launch locations throughout the Capital Region PRISM region.
Watercraft Stewards work independently at various boat launch locations throughout the Capital Region PRISM region.
Locations
Watercraft stewards work independently at various boat launch locations along the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. Counties of employment include Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Herkimer, Montgomery, Orange, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Ulster, and Westchester. A map of boat launch location can be found below.
Duration
Watercraft Stewards work on a full-time, seasonal basis from May through September. Work schedules are typically Thursday - Monday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. though schedules may also vary depending on program needs. Holidays and weekends are mandatory. The Watercraft Steward program runs from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, with three days of mandatory programmatic training from May 24th to May 26th.
Duties and Responsibilities
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Watercraft Stewards and Lead Stewards provide environmental education and outreach at boat launches regarding statewide Clean, Drain, Dry practices in order to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Stewards interact daily with visitors at the launch sites utilizing knowledge gathered from the New York State Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Handbook (see below).
Compensation
Watercraft Stewards: $14.00/hr
Lead Watercraft Stewards $15.75/hr
About the ProgramWater-based recreation has been identified as one of the leading pathways for the spread of invasive species. To reduce the risk of spread, the watercraft inspection steward program (WISP) was created to teach boaters how to clean, drain, and dry their recreational gear and how to properly dispose of aquatic invasive species. The Capital Region PRISM WISP has 26 seasonal employees that perform watercraft inspections and educate the public at boat launches along the rivers and at lakes in the region. |
2021 Boat Launch Sites |
2020 WISP Report
Inspections
AIS Intercepted
New York State
Watercraft Inspection Steward
Program Handbook
