Job Information
Conservation Legacy Stewards VISTA: Piney Creek Watershed Association in Beckley, West Virginia
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. (https://stewardslegacy.org/)
This position is a 365 day (1 year) public service term lasting from August 12, 2024 – August 11, 2025.
Living Allowance: $62.69/day ($22,881.85/year)
About the Site and Position:
Piney Creek Watershed Association was founded in 2004 by a small group of concerned citizens who wished to make a difference in their community by improving the water quality in our local streams. This group realized that stream quality reflects the surrounding environment, and that improved stream quality would come from efforts to control polluted runoff, faulty sewage treatment, erosion, litter, and other environmental detriments. Our non-profit group has made progress over the years by raising awareness of the environment through education and outreach activities, including stream cleanups, rain barrel and rain garden workshops, water monitoring efforts, storm drain marking, developing outdoor recreation opportunities, informative member meetings, and our annual Earth Day and watershed celebrations. We have managed barren-land revegetation, wetland development, and storm water management projects to reduce sediment and bacterial contamination of our streams. PCWA has a unique position as the only locally focused, non-profit organization in the area. By advocating for streams, our work leads to a cleaner, healthier. and more vibrant community. Leveraging partners and connecting dots are where much of the legwork and passion are ignited for this group of conservationists. We are always willing to get dirt under our nails and water in our waders to do what's best for the Piney Creek Watershed and our community!
For more information, check out the Piney Creek Watershed website (https://www.pineycreekwatershed.org/) .
Member Duties:
PCWA received 319 grant funds to improve water quality within Piney Creek Watershed. The project provides financial assistance to homeowners in the coal communities. The goal is to provide a significant cost share to eligible homeowners to keep their costs at a minimum. Studies have shown that poverty is a major cause of environmental degradation, and with a substantial number of residents in these communities on fixed incomes as a result of the coal economy vanishing, the viable way to have septic remediation work done is if it is offset.
PCWA will educate homeowners in the communities on proper septic care and maintenance and the importance of clean water.
The VISTA will assist PCWA staff with this work, as well as with the work of contacting homeowners and assisting them through the application process for financial assistance.
*Car Recommended
Service Areas:
Community Outreach
Education
Environment
Housing
Community and Economic Development
Neighborhood Revitalization
Program Benefits:
Segal Education Award ($7,395.00) OR Cash Stipend ($1,800) upon successful completion of service
Living Allowance ($62.69/day, disbursed every 2 weeks)
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 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 | AmeriCorps (https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award)
*For more information regarding the AmeriCorps VISTA Childcare benefit, please visit AmeriCorps Childcare Program (https://americorpschildcare.com/)
*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit VISTA Benefits | AmeriCorps (https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/vista/benefits) .
*For details about Non-Competitive Eligibility, please visit Non-Competitive Eligibility Overview (americorps.gov) (https://my.americorps.gov/trust/help/member_portal/non_competitive_eligibility_overview.htm)
*USE THIS LINK TO APPLY: My AmeriCorps - Home Page (https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=122556) *
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.
Required Skills
(Recommended) Skills:
Leadership
Fundraising
Grant Writing
Non-Profit Management
Counseling
Community Organization
Teamwork,
Social Services
Required Experience