Stewards VISTA: Groundwork Ohio

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards/SIP) 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.

This position is a 365 day (1 year) public service term lasting from April 8, 2024 – April 6, 2025.

Living Allowance: $62.69/day ($22,881.85/year)

For more information regarding Stewards, please visit our website.

Since 2019, Groundwork Ohio River Valley, Inc. has been a staple in the Greater Cincinnati community. Our mission is to bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement, and management of the physical environment. We accomplish this by developing community-based partnerships that empower people, businesses, and organizations to promote environmental, economic, and social-well being. Groundwork Ohio River Valley, Inc. growth over the last four years has been exponential. This is due to the success of our organization to work with community members and partners. We have worked collaboratively to identify needs within the community that are met through the integration of green infrastructure. Through this focus we have created opportunities for entry level job readiness programs for the youth (ages 14 – 25) within our community. The Green Corps, Green Team, and Climate Safe Neighborhoods programs have grown the potential to yield benefits to the individual participants, the local economy, and the overall community. We accomplish this through offering employment and empowering opportunities for youth (ages 14 to 25). Through working directly in their community youth grow to participate in the decision-making process within their communities. In turn, we help facilitate and grow the connections between community members and local businesses to alleviate poverty and sustain environmental changes that create a greener and healthier environment for all in the Greater Cincinnati area. The AmeriCorps VISTA will assist our organization with capacity building so we can further sustain our commitment to the community and create more economic opportunities for youth (ages 14 – 25). Through grant writing and fundraising, we hope to sustain employment for new positions within our organization. In turn, sustain our capacity to offer and even grow the opportunities we offer for employment and partnerships within the Greater Cincinnati area.

Member Duties:

The AmeriCorps VISTA will lead grant writing and fundraising efforts to expand our permanent staff so we can hire a full-time Office Administrator, Director of Communications, and Director of Operations. The AmeriCorps VISTA will work alongside our program directors to facilitate educational opportunities for our employees and the community at large. These include financial literacy programs such as money management, how to open a bank account, and retirement planning. They will also be working with partners to ensure resources are shared throughout the organization and communities of the educational opportunities are available to them through community mapping. Their work will help us not only sustain our growth but will allow us to further our efforts in poverty alleviation and provide more sustained opportunities for members of the Greater Cincinnati community.

Program Benefits:

Segal Education Award ($6,895) OR Cash Stipend (~$1,800) upon successful completion of service, Living Allowance(62.69/day, disbursed every 2 weeks, 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 as well as alternative uses for the award here.

*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 visit https://my.americorps.gov/trust/help/member_portal/non_competitive_eligibility_overview.htm

Service Areas:

Public Safety, Environment, Elder Care, Education, Community and Economic Development, Neighborhood Revitalization, Health, Entrepreneur/Business, Community Outreach, Children/Youth.

For more information, please contact Addie Gilkerson (she/her) at agilkerson@conservationlegacy.org 

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.