Energy Communities AmeriCorps VISTA Leader

As energy opportunities expand, coal and power facility jobs are declining across the United States. The Energy Communities AmeriCorps VISTA project will develop and advance programs that increase environmental awareness and stewardship, job training, employment pathways, and access to existing federal and community resources for low-income individuals living in energy transition communities. Energy Communities AmeriCorps members will serve low-income energy communities in that are experiencing energy transformations. VISTA members will be placed with local organizations to help assess environmental impacts, identify existing supports, and develop economic transformation and revitalization goals with their communities. 

IMPORTANT:

To serve as VISTA Leader, one must have previously served as a VISTA (full year term), OR completed 1,700 hours of AmeriCorps terms, OR served a full Peace Corps term.

Please note that this VISTA term is:

• Full time,
• 1-year in length,
• Begins in October 2024 and ends in October 2025,
• Require in-person service at the host agency.

The living allowance for Energy Communities VISTAs is $94.97 per day (including weekends). This is equivalent to $16.62/hour ($34,664.05/year).

Conservation Legacy will also provide a $500/month housing stipend to the VISTA Leader.

For more information about Energy Communities AmeriCorps, please visit our website.

For any questions, please contact Shelby Street at sstreet@conservationlegacy.org

To apply, please use the AmeriCorps link here.

About the Site and Position:

The VISTA Leader will be placed with Stewards Individual Placements to support Energy Communities VISTA members to help assess environmental impacts, identify existing supports, and develop economic transformation and revitalization goals with their communities. Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards) VISTA Program is a national intermediary sponsor with 22 years of experience operating VISTA projects that support economic development and environmental stewardship in coal mining communities. Since 2002, Stewards has engaged over 1,200 VISTA members, securing $41 million in grants and in-kind resources, recruiting 100,000 volunteers, and developing capacity for organizations to strengthen mining communities. Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards) is a program of Conservation Legacy, a national organization with a 25-year history of operating AmeriCorps VISTA and State and National programs.

The VISTA Leader will serve in-person with the Stewards Individual Placements – East team in Beckley, West Virginia. 

Member Duties:

The VISTA Leader will support the field-focused Energy Community AmeriCorps VISTA members through recruitment, training, resource generation, and outreach.

• The VISTA Leader will be the public relations representative who will tell the story of the work happening on the ground to funders and the general public.
• The VISTA Leader will work alongside Stewards Leadership and the federal partners to identify and deliver resources available to communities impacted by energy transitions.
• The VISTA Leader will support the work of the VISTAs in the field by providing support and resources for their success.

Program Benefits:

VISTA service provides an excellent opportunity for the member to develop professional skills and experience, build their network, and make a tangible impact on critical community needs. VISTAs also access the following benefits:

• Segal Education Award ($7,395) OR Cash Stipend (~$1,800) upon successful completion of service
• Living Allowance ($94.97/day, disbursed every 2 weeks)
• Relocation Allowance
• Regular Training and Professional Development Opportunities (free and virtual)
• Employee Wellness Program (access to a licensed, professional counselor and 24/7 in-moment support)
• Childcare*
• Healthcare*
• Non-Competitive Eligibility upon successful completion of the term*
• Networking and Mentorship
• Access to a nationwide cohort of like-minded peers

*For more information regarding the Segal Education Award, check out this link: https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award.

*For more information regarding the AmeriCorps VISTA Childcare benefit, please visit https://americorpschildcare.com/.

*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit http://www.vistacampus.gov/healthcare.

*For details about Non-Competitive Eligibility, please see https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/americorps-vista-alumni-nce-2023.pdf

What is an AmeriCorps VISTA?

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members are dedicated individuals who serve full-time in their assigned communities to build capacity, support economic development, and foster sustainable programs. They receive various benefits, including a living allowance, education award, professional development, healthcare and childcare, and non-competitive eligibility for federal jobs after service completion.

What is Energy Communities AmeriCorps?

Energy Communities AmeriCorps offers technical support to help communities impacted by previous or pending coal mine and power plant closures. This program bridges the gap between environmental and economic concerns by focusing on a more diversified economic portfolio. Creating opportunities in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, small businesses, tourism and more strengthens communities and builds for the future.

The Basics:

• Funding: More than $12.5 million is available to support the project, funded by federal agencies and philanthropic sources.
• Duration: The initiative is set to run for three years, starting in fall 2024.
• Locations: Nine priority Energy Communities, including Appalachian Ohio, Eastern Kentucky, Illinois Coal Basin, Four Corners, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Wyoming, and Montana.

What is Stewards Individual Placements?

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health.

Stewards VISTA Program is a national intermediary sponsor with 22 years of experience operating VISTA projects that support economic development and environmental stewardship in coal mining communities. Since 2002, Stewards has engaged over 1,200 VISTA members, securing $41 million in grants and in-kind resources, recruiting 100,000 volunteers, and developing capacity for organizations to strengthen mining communities.

Stewards Individual Placements is a program of Conservation Legacy, a national organization with a 25-year history of operating AmeriCorps VISTA and State and National programs.

For more information regarding Stewards, please visit our website.

Stewards Individual Placements does not and will not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application, interviewing, and/or onboarding process, please send your request to the hiring manager in your preferred method of communication.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Recruitment 
• Communications
• Environment
• Public Speaking
• Leadership
• Project management
• Interpersonal skills
• Conflict resolution
• Counseling
• Attention to detail
• Fundraising/Grant writing
• Writing skills

Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

To serve as VISTA Leader, one must have previously served as a VISTA (full year term), OR completed 1,700 hours of AmeriCorps terms, OR served a full Peace Corps term.