Energy Communities VISTA: Community Development Planner

Imagine a region redefined – a unique juxtaposition of Midwest retreat and hard-hit energy communities. Join Southern Illinois Now’s team to grow community capacity and accelerate progress through federal, state, and local resource collaborations!

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 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:

Please note that this VISTA term is:

• Full time,
• 1-year in length,
• Begins in November 2024 and ends in November 2025

The living allowance for Energy Communities VISTAs is $88.39 per day (including weekends). This is equivalent to $15.51/hour ($32,262.35/year).

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:

SI Now serves as a regional economic development hub and unified voice for the 17 southernmost counties of Illinois to advance this coal-impacted region through business growth and development, marketing the region, and education and workforce development. Since its 2022 inception, SI Now has been diligent about ensuring that our coal communities are aware of and have the resources to successfully apply for energy communities funding and other opportunities designed to assist our priority region. Despite funding agencies’ technical assistance and other resource programs, a critical gap in grant identification, application preparation assistance, and grant administration still exists. As a result, communities intended to benefit from these opportunities are falling further behind.

SI Now’s 17-county footprint is diverse with communities ranging from a university town to river towns, to interstate communities, and small towns each with their own unique draw to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world. This VISTA will serve as a regional contact for communities seeking project funding assistance. The VISTA will also assist with community capacity building training to ensure program sustainability after the VISTAs completion.

Centrally located, our region is a Midwest retreat for outdoor activities including the Shawnee National Forest and award-winning Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, home to SIU Carbondale – a major research university, and is within a day’s drive to 10 major metros. Come join us!

Member Duties:

The VISTA member will alleviate poverty in Southern IL. Member service activities will vary based on community needs but may include: 

• Set Year 1 project success metrics in collaboration with SI Now staff
• Connect with leaders to identify community-specific needs
• Research and connect with federal, state, and local resources to inform resource guide creation
• Establish a community inquiry process from intake to assistance or referral
• Educate communities on the established inquiry process
• Accept inquiries and provide assistance
• Research and map community capacity building training and sustainability models and plans

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 ($88.39/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:

• Public speaking
• Communications
• Training research and development
• Writing/Editing
• Fund raising/Grant Writing
• Community Organization
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Project management
• Interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail

Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

Applicant must have earned an undergraduate degree.