Stewards VISTA: Schuykill River Greenways – Outdoor Engagement Facilitator

About the Organization

The mission of the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area is to connect residents, visitors and communities to the Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) by serving as a catalyst for civic engagement and economic development to foster stewardship of the watershed and its heritage. In 1974, the Schuylkill River Greenway Association (SRGA) was formed, the name inspired by the successful Willamette River Greenway in Oregon. SRGA was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1977. It was also during these formative years that the development of the SRT became one of the primary goals and projects of the SRGA. With the desire to build upon the already accomplished work of Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Chester Counties, the SRGA began trail development in Berks County and later in Schuylkill County as well.

To this day the SRT is our signature project. It was in the year 2000 that the U.S. Congress finally designated the Schuylkill River Valley a National Heritage Area because of the nationwide significance it played in the American, Industrial and Environmental Revolutions as well as for its diverse and unique natural and recreational resources. Since this designation we have continued to work on the SRT to connect the vibrant and unique towns across the heritage area and to further spread the economic value of a trail system to the towns touched by the SRT.

A VISTA partnering with SRGA will experience working with an organization with federal, state, and local government ties as well as organizations that are fundamental to American way of life. Skills that will be developed within the program will directly relate to many career paths and will assist in future employment opportunities. In addition to this, site supervisor Jacob Gardner has been a part of the AmeriCorps programs in the past and understands what it takes to be successful in the program and how the skills the VISTA gains will be applied to future employment.

About Stewards

Stewards Individual Placements (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. SIP in partnership with the Schuylkill River Greenway National Heritage Area (SRGA) seeks an AmeriCorps VISTA to play an important role in developing and catalyzing youth outdoor programming for the Schuylkill River Trail.

This position is a one-year commitment, lasting from April 8, 2024 through April 6, 2025.

• For more information regarding SRGA, please visit: https://schuylkillriver.org/ 
• For more information regarding Stewards, please visit our website.
• For more information regarding AmeriCorps VISTA, please visit: www.americorps.gov 

Member Duties:

• Collaborate with members of Schuylkill VISION to develop an educational program that will introduce young people ages 14-30 to career options and opportunities to develop career skills.
• Conduct outreach increasing public involvement in the planning, design, and construction of the SRT.
• Collaborate with local universities and organizations to: recruit young people for the program, identify career opportunities to highlight, and develop skill training opportunities to help prepare young people. This might be accomplished with a series of workshops and job fairs, scheduling local skills workshops, and leading local training sessions.
• Learn, conduct, and participate In: database development, grant writing, outdoor volunteer event planning on the Schuylkill River Trail. May include planning public trail events – in-person and virtually, running volunteer trail work events, and working with SRGA staff to ensure that trail projects serve economically distressed and minority communities.

Program Benefits:

Living Allowance: ($62.69/day), Health Coverage*, Paid Training, Relocation Allowance (up to $750), Mileage Assistance (location dependent) Housing Assistance, Professional Dev., Choice of Segal Education Award ($6,895)or End of Service Stipend(~3,300), Federal Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) upon completion of service.

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

Service Areas: 

Community and Economic Development, Community Outreach, Neighborhood Revitalization, Environment, Education, Children/Youth.

Questions?

Please reach out to Addie Gilkerson at [email protected] or 304-533-1211.

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.