Stewards VISTA: Hatfield and McCoy Foundation WV -AmeriCorps

Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Hatfield and McCoy Foundation WV -AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East

Site Location: Hatfield and McCoy Foundation

City, State or Full Address: 12790 Jerry West Hwy., Sarah Ann, WV 25644

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 Appalachian history while promoting heritage tourism, education, cultural preservation, and economic opportunity throughout southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky. Serving visitors, local residents, schools, and regional partners, the program highlights the region’s historical significance and cultural traditions through the Hatfield & McCoy Homeplace and Museum and associated outreach efforts. Guided by values of cultural stewardship, collaboration, community pride, and sustainability, the program works to strengthen community connections, support educational opportunities, and contribute to long-term regional vitality.

This AmeriCorps Position focuses on expanding organizational capacity by developing systems that enhance museum operations, volunteer engagement, visitor services, educational programming, and community outreach. The member will create tools, resources, and communication materials that improve coordination, support partnerships, and increase awareness of programs and heritage tourism opportunities. Through this service, the member plays a key role in strengthening the Foundation’s sustainability and its ability to connect communities with Appalachian history and culture.

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

Description of Duties:

VISTA members will support capacity building efforts focused on heritage tourism, nonprofit growth, and community engagement at the historic Hatfield & McCoy Homeplace in southern West Virginia. Members will develop resources for museum operations for staff to support visitor engagement focused on Appalachian history and community development. Additional responsibilities include creating plans for volunteer coordination, social media and communications, outreach materials for schools and community organizations, partnership development, and tourism initiatives supporting rural economic development. Members will gain hands-on experience in nonprofit operations, historic preservation, museum administration, public programming, and community engagement while helping strengthen sustainable community resources throughout Appalachia.

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