Stewards VISTA: Patuxent Urban Wildlife Conservation Partnership Co-Design Associate

Category: AmeriCorps VISTA
Job Location: Laurel, Maryland
Tracking Code: 5173-984
Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

About Stewards:

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.

For more information regarding Stewards, please visit our website.

About the Site and Position:

This position is a 365 day (1 year) public service term lasting from August 12, 2024 – August 11, 2025.

Living Allowance: $74.09/day ($27,042.85/year)

The Patuxent Urban Wildlife Conservation Partnership Co-Design Associate VISTA member will build the capacity of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center by assisting with outreach, coordination, and relationship building to support the design of asset-based anti-poverty that also aligns with environmental conservation programming in impoverished neighborhoods near Laurel, South Laurel, Bacontown, and Maryland City, MD. The Center will be working extensively in several neighborhoods surrounding the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center where the poverty rate includes 13-20% of the population. The Center’s targeted co-design approach will help alleviate poverty in the region. As a result of the VISTA member’s service, the Urban Wildlife Refuge will design effective and valuable refuge programming that builds upon the strengths and assets of neighborhoods close to the Urban Wildlife Refuge in the Patuxent area.

Member Duties:

Support the co-design of refuge programming with (not for) the following communities: Laurel, South Laurel, Bacontown, and Maryland City.

Service Areas:

• Environment 
• Community Outreach 
• Education

  Program Benefits:  

• Segal Education Award ($7,395.00) OR Cash Stipend (~$1,800) upon successful completion of service
• Living Allowance ($74.09/day, disbursed every 2 weeks)
• Phone Stipend ($35/month)
• Relocation Allowance
• Professional Equipment Provided (laptop, software, etc.)
• 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 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award tendersglobal.net AmeriCorps. 

*For more information regarding the AmeriCorps VISTA Childcare benefit, please visit AmeriCorps Childcare Program 

*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit VISTA Benefits tendersglobal.net AmeriCorps. 

*For details about Non-Competitive Eligibility, please visit Non-Competitive Eligibility Overview (americorps.gov)   

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.

Required Skills

(Recommended)

• Fundraising
• Grant Writing
• Environment 
• Communications 
• Education 
• Conflict Resolution 
• Recruitment 
• Public Speaking 
• General Skills 
• Community Organization 
• Social Services 
• Teamwork

Required Experience

Applicant is REQUIRED to be very familiar with the local area they will be serving, with experience living or working in the community of Patuxent (Laurel, South Laurel, Bacontown, and Maryland City).