What are the responsibilities and job description for the Stewards VISTA: Appalachian Voices - AmeriCorps position at Conservation Legacy?
Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Appalachian Voices - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East
Site Location: Charlottesville, VA 22902
City, State or Full Address: 244 East High Street
Terms Of Service
Start Date: FEB 2026
End Date: FEB 2027
Must serve a 365-day (1 year) service term
Living Allowance: $68.39/day ($24,962.35/year)
Purpose
This is an AmeriCorps program committed to advancing community-driven economic development, energy education, and clean energy initiatives across Central Appalachia. Through service with Appalachian Voices, a regional nonprofit founded in 1997, the program supports coalfield communities as they build a fair and modern energy economy rooted in local leadership, collaboration, and long-term resilience. Grounded in values of environmental stewardship, self-determination, and regional equity, the program works to expand opportunities in the clean energy sector while uplifting the voices, needs, and aspirations of Appalachian residents.
This AmeriCorps VISTA will support communities, local organizations, and regional partners in identifying and implementing strategies that foster economic diversification and energy-sector workforce development. The member will help build capacity by supporting outreach efforts, strengthening educational and training programs, coordinating regional engagement, developing communication materials, and researching funding opportunities that advance community-led clean energy projects. Through their service, the member will play a vital role in supporting coalfield communities as they transition toward economic and environmental resilience.
The AmeriCorps VISTA member will build capacity and develop sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty in underserved communities.
Description Of Duties
As an AmeriCorps VISTA serving with Appalachian Voices, you will support the long-term capacity of coalfield communities by strengthening locally driven energy, education, and economic-transition initiatives. Your work will focus on planning, coordination, research, and resource development—not direct service. You will:
Qualifications
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
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 Austin Counts, austin@appvoices.org
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East
Site Location: Charlottesville, VA 22902
City, State or Full Address: 244 East High Street
Terms Of Service
Start Date: FEB 2026
End Date: FEB 2027
Must serve a 365-day (1 year) service term
Living Allowance: $68.39/day ($24,962.35/year)
Purpose
This is an AmeriCorps program committed to advancing community-driven economic development, energy education, and clean energy initiatives across Central Appalachia. Through service with Appalachian Voices, a regional nonprofit founded in 1997, the program supports coalfield communities as they build a fair and modern energy economy rooted in local leadership, collaboration, and long-term resilience. Grounded in values of environmental stewardship, self-determination, and regional equity, the program works to expand opportunities in the clean energy sector while uplifting the voices, needs, and aspirations of Appalachian residents.
This AmeriCorps VISTA will support communities, local organizations, and regional partners in identifying and implementing strategies that foster economic diversification and energy-sector workforce development. The member will help build capacity by supporting outreach efforts, strengthening educational and training programs, coordinating regional engagement, developing communication materials, and researching funding opportunities that advance community-led clean energy projects. Through their service, the member will play a vital role in supporting coalfield communities as they transition toward economic and environmental resilience.
The AmeriCorps VISTA member will build capacity and develop sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty in underserved communities.
Description Of Duties
As an AmeriCorps VISTA serving with Appalachian Voices, you will support the long-term capacity of coalfield communities by strengthening locally driven energy, education, and economic-transition initiatives. Your work will focus on planning, coordination, research, and resource development—not direct service. You will:
- Assist in the planning and development of community-centered energy education and workforce-training programs by helping design materials, structures, and strategies that can be used by local partners.
- Support Appalachian Voices staff and the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia in coordinating regional clean-energy outreach efforts, including logistical planning, scheduling, and communication.
- Collaborate with community partners, regional organizations, and stakeholders to gather information on local energy-sector needs and help inform long-term project plans.
- Contribute to the development of educational resources—such as presentations, informational materials, and outreach plans—that partners can use to engage residents in clean-energy opportunities.
- Assist with tracking and evaluating program outcomes by organizing data, gathering feedback through partner organizations, and identifying opportunities to strengthen program effectiveness.
- Research funding sources, best practices in energy-sector development, and emerging clean-energy technologies, and prepare summaries or recommendations to support partner decision-making.
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
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), 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.
- 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.
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award* of $7,395.00
- or choice of cash stipend of ~$1,800.00
- Living Allowance of $68.39 per day, disbursed every 2 weeks
- Professional Development Funds
- 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.
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 Austin Counts, austin@appvoices.org
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Salary : $24,962
