The Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA) is excited to announce an opportunity for a creative and motivated Photography and Education Intern to join our team during the summer of 2025. 

This internship will offer you hands-on experience in capturing and producing compelling visual content for a variety of public programs, invasive species initiatives, and educational activities. In addition to photography, you will work closely with our education team to facilitate both public and children's programming throughout the summer. 

At OCCA, our mission is to promote the appreciation and sustainable use of our region's resources. We invite you to be part of our team and help us make a positive impact this summer through the power of storytelling! 

We are currently accepting applications for a summer internship.

OCCA conducts a broad spectrum of programs and participates in events related to water quality, land-use management, energy conservation, and recycling. Volunteers are essential to the accomplishment of our mission-related activities. Their time, talent, and caring contributions make a positive difference regarding our local environment and environmental awareness. Volunteers set an example for others in the community to follow.

At OCCA, volunteers are needed for activities such as Household Hazardous Waste Day, bulk mailings, Recycling Committee, Fundraising Committee, Leading a hike, Trail Maintenance, Invasive species eradication, and events.

If you are interested in volunteering with OCCA click HERE to fill out an interest form. If you have any questions call 607-547-4488 or email volunteer@occainfo.org.

We are currently accepting applications for the Board of Directors. The OCCA Board of Directors are all volunteers.

The OCCA Board plays a pivotal role in our organization, by determining OCCA's governing policies and ensuring their implementation through the work of the Board's committees and the support of its staff; raising funds to finance the organization; providing oversight of the organization's finances; promoting the organization and expanding its networks; and monitoring OCCA's performance against Board-determined organizational goals.

If you want to join our Board or nominate someone, contact Executive Director Amy Wyant at director@occainfo.org.

If you are invited to join our board, click HERE to fill out an application.

Otsego County Conservation Association is seeking two qualified individuals to serve on our seasonal, part-time Invasive Species Response Team.

Response Team members will carry out invasive species management activities such as hand-pulling aquatic or terrestrial invasive plants; monitoring for terrestrial invasive species; mapping and document removal efforts; and conducting some outreach and education. This is a part-time seasonal position: Response Team members will work two days per week, ~8 hours per day, from late May/early June through August. Some additional weekend hours may be available, but is not mandatory.

Tasks:

Remove and dispose of aquatic invasive plants from various locations in the region. Target species include yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata), European frog-bit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae), water chestnut (Trapa natans) and other high priority Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in sites throughout the region.

Remove and dispose of population of swallow-wort, a high priority terrestrial invasive species, in Arnold Lake State Forest.

Survey previously-treated areas for recurrence of mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata) and participate in removals where needed.

Monitor spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) traps in the region.

Participate in surveys for high priority AIS in select water bodies.

Interact with OCCA staff, volunteers, partner organizations and members of the general public in a professional manner.

Document activities using iMapInvasives.

Qualifications:

Able to spend long stretches of time in a kayak or canoe, leaning over, able to lift 60+ lbs. above head (racking and unracking kayaks and canoes). Good sense of humor. Ability to identify aquatic and terrestrial plants; ability to work long hours in difficult conditions; Canoe/kayak experience helpful.

Compensation:

$20/hour; plus, travel stipend

Apply by sending cover letter, resume and three references to Jeff O’Handley, Program Director at programdirector@occainfo.org, or to PO Box 931, Cooperstown, NY 13326