What are the responsibilities and job description for the Stewards VISTA: Community Outreach and Engagement VISTA-Patuxent Research Refuge- AmeriCorps position at Conservation Legacy?
Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Community Outreach and Engagement VISTA-Patuxent Research Refuge- AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East
Site Location: Patuxent Research Refuge
City, State or Full Address: 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, Maryland 20708
Terms Of Service
Start Date: August 10, 2026
End Date: August 9, 2027
Must serve a 365-day (1 year) service term
Living Allowance: $76.61/day ($27,962.65/year)
ALSO Apply using this link: My AmeriCorps - Home Page
Purpose
The Patuxent Research Refuge Community Outreach and Engagement Program is an AmeriCorps Program dedicated to connecting communities with the natural world through wildlife-dependent recreation, environmental education, and conservation outreach. Situated between Washington, DC and Baltimore, the program serves the communities surrounding the Refuge, guided by the values of stewardship, access to public lands, and a commitment to expanding outdoor opportunities for all Americans. Grounded in the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the program strives to build lasting relationships between people and nature for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Community Outreach and Engagement VISTA is an AmeriCorps Position that builds organizational capacity to expand public engagement with wildlife-dependent recreation, including fishing, hunting, and other traditional outdoor activities. The member will develop outreach systems, craft a strategic coalition-building plan, and design environmental education curriculum that fosters long-term community connections to conservation. Through this work, the member serves as a vital link between the Refuge and the communities it is designed to serve, strengthening the Refuge's ability to fulfill its public engagement mission.
The AmeriCorps VISTA member will build capacity and develop sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty in underserved communities.
Description Of Duties
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 Michael “Jason” Cangelosi, michael_cangelosi@fws.gov
ALSO Apply using this link: My AmeriCorps - Home Page
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: Patuxent Research Refuge
City, State or Full Address: 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, Maryland 20708
Terms Of Service
Start Date: August 10, 2026
End Date: August 9, 2027
Must serve a 365-day (1 year) service term
Living Allowance: $76.61/day ($27,962.65/year)
ALSO Apply using this link: My AmeriCorps - Home Page
Purpose
The Patuxent Research Refuge Community Outreach and Engagement Program is an AmeriCorps Program dedicated to connecting communities with the natural world through wildlife-dependent recreation, environmental education, and conservation outreach. Situated between Washington, DC and Baltimore, the program serves the communities surrounding the Refuge, guided by the values of stewardship, access to public lands, and a commitment to expanding outdoor opportunities for all Americans. Grounded in the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the program strives to build lasting relationships between people and nature for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Community Outreach and Engagement VISTA is an AmeriCorps Position that builds organizational capacity to expand public engagement with wildlife-dependent recreation, including fishing, hunting, and other traditional outdoor activities. The member will develop outreach systems, craft a strategic coalition-building plan, and design environmental education curriculum that fosters long-term community connections to conservation. Through this work, the member serves as a vital link between the Refuge and the communities it is designed to serve, strengthening the Refuge's ability to fulfill its public engagement mission.
The AmeriCorps VISTA member will build capacity and develop sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty in underserved communities.
Description Of Duties
- Develop a community outreach plan for staff to expand engagement Build outreach materials for staff to strengthen partnerships to increase access to nature-based programming
- Develop curriculum for environmental education programming for local schools
- Develop resources for staff to coordinate youth summer programs in partnership with local recreation centers
- 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 (V MO) 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 $76.61 per day, disbursed every 2 weeks
- PD 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 Michael “Jason” Cangelosi, michael_cangelosi@fws.gov
ALSO Apply using this link: My AmeriCorps - Home Page
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 : $27,963