Stewards VISTA: Fay-Penn Economic Development Council -AmeriCorps

Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Fay-Penn Economic Development Council -AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East

Site Location: Lemont Furnace, PA

City, State or Full Address: 1040 Eberly Way, Lemont Furnace, PA 15456

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 06/02/25
• End Date: 06/01/26
• Must serve a 365-day (1 year) service term
• Living Allowance: $68.39/day ($24,962.35/year)

PLEASE APPLY USING THIS LINK: My AmeriCorps – Home Page

Purpose:

This is an AmeriCorps Position within an AmeriCorps Program designed to build the capacity of rural communities in Fayette County, Pennsylvania by fostering sustainable economic development through tourism and small business support. The program aims to reduce poverty by supporting local entrepreneurs, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding workforce development efforts in a historically underserved region of northern Appalachia. Rooted in values of service, collaboration, and equity, the program seeks to empower communities to lead their own revitalization through innovation, resilience, and inclusive economic growth.

The AmeriCorps member will support Fay-Penn’s Partnerships for Appalachian Trails & Heritage (PATH) initiative by developing a regional branding and marketing strategy, coordinating outreach with local tourism stakeholders, and identifying workforce and business development needs. The member will assist in planning and implementing tourism-driven economic development projects, including the promotion of a revolving loan fund for small businesses, to build long-term sustainability for the region. This position plays a vital role in advancing Fay-Penn’s mission to attract and retain businesses, create jobs, and enhance quality of life across Fayette County.

The AmeriCorps VISTA member will build capacity and develop sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty in underserved communities.

Description of Duties:

As an AmeriCorps member serving with Fay-Penn, you’ll play a key role in supporting a new initiative called the Partnerships for Appalachian Trails & Heritage (PATH) program. Your work will focus on helping small businesses and communities in Fayette County, PA benefit from tourism and outdoor recreation. You will:

• Help tell the story of the region by creating and promoting a marketing and branding plan for PATH, working closely with local tourism groups.
• Build connections by meeting with small business owners, community members, and local leaders to learn about their needs and share opportunities related to PATH.
• Support small business growth by helping design and promote resources like a revolving loan fund that offers low-interest loans to new or expanding businesses.
• Strengthen the local workforce by identifying job-related challenges and working with others to find creative, local solutions.
• Collaborate with a team that’s passionate about community and economic development, and gain hands-on experience in project coordination, communications, and outreach.

This is a great position for someone interested in economic development, tourism, communications, or nonprofit work—and who enjoys working independently, thinking creatively, and being part of something meaningful for a rural Appalachian community.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age
• Has received a four-year college degree
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve full-time (35-40 hours) from 6/02/25 to 6/01/26, but exact schedules may vary.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities
• Member will receive a Virtual Member Orientation (VMO) from VISTA on their first day of service

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award* of $7,395.00

o    or choice of cash stipend of ~$1,800.00

• Living Allowance of $68.39 per day, disbursed every 2 weeks
• Relocation Allowance ($750) if Eligible
• Healthcare Coverage* if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage* if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible
• Training and Professional Development Opportunities
• Employee Wellness Program (access to a licensed, professional counselor and 24/7 support)
• Non-Competitive Eligibility* (NCE) status upon successful completion of the term
• Networking and Mentorship

*For more information regarding the Segal Education Award, check out this link as well as alternative uses for the award here.

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

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

*For details about Non-Competitive Eligibility, please visit https://my.americorps.gov/trust/help/member_portal/non_competitive_eligibility_overview.htm

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps VISTA member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed their required year of service; the member has satisfactorily completed assignments; and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets, accomplishment tracking, and quarterly reporting.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

For VISTA-related information, contact Addie Gilkerson at agilkerson@conservationlegacy.org

For site-related information, contact Misty Hiltabidel at mistyh@faypenn.org

PLEASE APPLY USING THIS LINK: My AmeriCorps – Home Page

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.