Stewards VISTA: Hatfield and McCoy Experience TN Comms -AmeriCorps

Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Hatfield and McCoy Experience TN Comms -AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East

Site Location: Hatfield and McCoy Experience

City, State or Full Address: 107 Old Mill Ave, Pigeon Forge TN 37863

Terms of Service:

Start Date: September 8, 2026

End Date: September 7, 2027

Must serve a 365-day (1 year) service term

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

Purpose:

The Hatfield and McCoy Foundation, an AmeriCorps Program, is dedicated to preserving and sharing Appalachian heritage through cultural education, tourism, storytelling, and community engagement in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and the surrounding region. The program serves both local residents and visitors by deepening understanding of regional history, traditions, and culture while strengthening community connections and identity. Guided by values of cultural stewardship, authenticity, collaboration, and sustainability, the program seeks to expand outreach, elevate community voices, and build lasting systems that support meaningful engagement with Appalachian heritage.

This AmeriCorps Position strengthens the Foundation’s communications and storytelling capacity by developing tools, resources, and systems that increase awareness of programs, initiatives, and regional culture. The member will support content development, outreach planning, and digital storytelling efforts through the creation of communication calendars, templates, and resource toolkits for staff and partners. Through this service, the member helps expand the Foundation’s reach and enhance its ability to connect people with Appalachian history, culture, and community experiences.

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

Description of Duties:

Qualifications:

·       United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien

·       Must be 18 years of age

·       High School Diploma/GED

·       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), 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

o   or choice of cash stipend of ~$1,800.00

·        Living Allowance of $68.39 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 Jack Hatfield, jack@hatfieldmccoyfoundation.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