Stewards VISTA: Stream Partners Program-WVDEP-NRCS

This position is a 365 day (1 year) public service term lasting from January 13, 2025 – January 12, 2026.

Living Allowance: $68.39/day ($24,962.35/year)

Rental Assistance Included ($700/month)!

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:

Are you looking for an opportunity to live and serve closely in unique Appalachian communities supporting volunteers protecting the mountain streams of West Virginia? Our state is the home of over 10,000 named streams and 46 named rivers with over 30 watershed associations dedicated to protecting them and enhancing the communities they flow through with environmental restoration projects. This program will provide the opportunity for career experience with state, federal and nonprofit programs that provide technical assistance and grant funds for environmental restoration efforts. You will be paired with a WV Department of Environmental Protection mentor to create innovative projects that improve water quality, habitat, health, recreation, youth programs and community revitalization. The key to success is the people in the communities and the partnerships we build around community assets. You will meet people, build coalitions, and leave a lasting impact on one or two communities. One position in DEP’s Fayetteville field office will facilitate community development, seek out opportunities for the watershed association to integrate more fully into the community, and coordinate events and resources that support individual, community, and partnership-wide interests. You will become the catalyst for people’s passion to stay in WV and work to make a difference. For more information on the WVDEP, please visit their website.

Member Duties: 

• Identify community assets that projects can be built around to enhance community
• Promote existing watershed associations’ success stories through web sites, apps and publications
• Prepare and submit grant application resources to enhance a priority community asset
• Facilitate Project Team for a successful project to increase organizational capacity and enhance environmental stewardship and community revitalization in WV
• Celebrate success by planning events
• Develop a volunteer recognition program
• Continue to identify new organizations that could benefit from the project partnership
• Promote local business and nonprofits as a project partner and invest project funding to support their needs
• Identify state or federal programs and regional staff that can enhance the project and possibly new projects in 2025

Service Areas: 

• Community Outreach
• Children/Youth
• Environment
• Community and Economic Development
• Education

Program Benefits: 

• Segal Education Award ($7,395) OR Cash Stipend (~$1,800) upon successful completion of service
• Living Allowance ($68.39/day, disbursed every 2 weeks)
• Rental Assistance ($700/month)
• 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 peer

*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

***APPLY USING THIS LINK: My AmeriCorps – Home Page****

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.