Stewards VISTA: Watershed

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 07/14/25
• End Date: 07/13/26
• Must serve a 365-day (1 year) service term
• Living Allowance: $76.61/day ($27,962.65/year)

Purpose:

This AmeriCorps Program enhances community resilience and environmental stewardship by engaging volunteers, municipalities, and businesses in restoring the Saw Mill River watershed. Through collaboration and hands-on initiatives, the program works to mitigate flooding, improve water quality, and reduce the negative economic and health impacts of environmental degradation. By fostering long-term engagement, it empowers local residents to take an active role in preserving the watershed.

This AmeriCorps Position will focus on building partnerships, coordinating community engagement efforts, and developing sustainable funding strategies. The member will organize stewardship events, recruit and support volunteers, and work with stakeholders to implement flood mitigation and restoration projects. Through outreach, communications, and fundraising, the position will help expand the program’s impact and ensure long-term success in protecting the watershed and surrounding communities.

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

Description of Duties:

• Work with different groups – Connect with local government, nonprofits, and community organizations to improve the Saw Mill River.
• Plan and lead events – Organize community clean-ups, tree planting, and other fun activities to protect the river.
• Engage the community – Get local residents, businesses, and volunteers involved in environmental projects.
• Spread the word – Help create newsletters, social media posts, and emails to inform people about the program.
• Find funding – Research grants and help apply for funding to support environmental projects.
• Make a real impact – Help build long-term plans to keep the river and community healthy.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age
• College graduate
• 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 7/14/25 to 7/13/26, 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 or choice of cash stipend of ~$1,800.00
• Living Allowance of $76.61 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, agilkerson@conservationlegacy.org

For site related information, contact Ellen Theg, ellen@groundworkhv.org

• • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award* of $7,395.00 or choice of cash stipend of ~$1,800.00
• Living Allowance of $76.61 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.