What are the responsibilities and job description for the WV Ready Member with Harrison County Parks & Rec. position at Stewards Individual Placements?
Purpose
Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural and cultural resources. The West Virginia Rural Engagement Ambassadors for Development and Youth (WV READY) is a new collaborative AmeriCorps program sponsored by Stewards Individual Placements. Stewards, in partnership with Volunteer WV, and local community organizations such as the City of Smithers, is working to support West Virginias developing tourism, and outdoor recreation economies.
Stewards, in partnership with Harrison County Parks & Recreation, is seeking a WV Ready Service Member who will lead the development of a comprehensive Strategic Plan for the Rail Trail system. The plan will identify programming opportunities along the trail to boost local economic development, strengthen small business participation, and unite the community around trail use and stewardship. This is a hands-on role with field engagement, stakeholder facilitation, data collection/analysis, and clear deliverables culminating in a presentation to agency leadership and elected officials.
Description Of Duties
To achieve the goals of this WV Ready position, the member will:
Conduct baseline assessment of the Rail Trail network (segments, conditions, amenities, connectivity, usage patterns, and safety considerations)
Benchmark programming models from peer trail systems (events, health & wellness, outdoor education, cultural/historic interpretation, art installations, volunteer programs, youth engagement, adaptive recreation)
Analyze local demographics, tourism trends, and business landscape to identify opportunities for trail-linked economic activity (pop-up markets, trail promotions, guided walks/hikes/rides/tours)
Map assets and needs (access points, parking, signage, lighting, restrooms, water stations, ADA accessibility, wayfinding, public art)
Develop and implement a stakeholder engagement plan (public workshops, intercept surveys on the trail, online surveys, focus groups)
Facilitate meetings with public officials, advisory groups, local businesses, chambers of commerce, tourism entities, schools/universities, health systems, law enforcement/EMS, and community organizations
Build partnerships that support programming and cross-promotion (health challenges, seasonal festivals, heritage walks, mountain bike groups)
Identify and design a portfolio of trail programs (low-cost pilots and scalable signature events) aligned to community goals: health & wellness, arts/culture, environmental education, accessibility, youth development, and economic vitality
Create activation strategies for trailheads (e.g., pop-up vendor zones, performance spaces, kid-friendly stations, interpretive signage)
Recommend inclusive programming
Identify sponsorship packages and funding opportunities (grants, corporate/health partners, local foundations)
Develop a 35 year Strategic Plan with phased implementation roadmap and budget ranges
Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and data collection methods
Pilot up to 23 quick-start programs during the internship (as feasible), gather feedback, and refine
Produce professional-quality materials: executive summary, full plan, maps, slide deck, and public-facing one-pagers
Present findings to Parks & Recreation leadership, advisory groups, and elected officials
Provide recommendations on branding, messaging, and marketing toolkits
Qualifications
United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
At least 18 years of age
Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
Able to commit to 32 weeks of service
Must serve in West Virginia
Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a program in Parks & Recreation Management, Urban/Regional Planning, Public Administration, Community Development, Tourism & ospitality, Environmental Studies, or related field
Strong research, writing, and communication skills; comfortable facilitating public meetings
Experience with project management, data collection (surveys/interviews), and basic analytics
Proficiency with productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft 365), and basic mapping/visualization (e.g., ArcGIS Online/QGIS, or willingness to learn)
Ability to conduct field work on the trail (walking/biking), including occasional evenings/weekends for community events
Preferred Qualifications And Skills
Must serve in West Virginia, West Virginia resident preferred
Experience with recreation programming and event planning
Familiarity with economic development concepts
Skills in graphic design/communications (Canva, basic Adobe) and social media strategy
Knowledge of inclusive, accessible programming and ADA considerations
Grant writing or sponsorship packaging experience
Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively
Professional communication skills: written, presentation, and public speaking
Benefits
Although each WV READY Members project will look different depending on host site needs, they will still be able to lean on a cohort-style model for support, shared experiences, and professional development. Ideal candidates for this initiative are young adults looking to build a career and be a part of this larger movement in the Mountain State! Additional benefits include:
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
Living Allowance of $600 per week
Receive tuition and fee waivers at West Virginia institutions of higher education
Access to all member and alumni benefits of Conservation Legacy
Opportunity to make a HUGE impact on your community
Service opportunities can help propel your career forward with intentional experience and professional connections
Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural and cultural resources. The West Virginia Rural Engagement Ambassadors for Development and Youth (WV READY) is a new collaborative AmeriCorps program sponsored by Stewards Individual Placements. Stewards, in partnership with Volunteer WV, and local community organizations such as the City of Smithers, is working to support West Virginias developing tourism, and outdoor recreation economies.
Stewards, in partnership with Harrison County Parks & Recreation, is seeking a WV Ready Service Member who will lead the development of a comprehensive Strategic Plan for the Rail Trail system. The plan will identify programming opportunities along the trail to boost local economic development, strengthen small business participation, and unite the community around trail use and stewardship. This is a hands-on role with field engagement, stakeholder facilitation, data collection/analysis, and clear deliverables culminating in a presentation to agency leadership and elected officials.
Description Of Duties
To achieve the goals of this WV Ready position, the member will:
Conduct baseline assessment of the Rail Trail network (segments, conditions, amenities, connectivity, usage patterns, and safety considerations)
Benchmark programming models from peer trail systems (events, health & wellness, outdoor education, cultural/historic interpretation, art installations, volunteer programs, youth engagement, adaptive recreation)
Analyze local demographics, tourism trends, and business landscape to identify opportunities for trail-linked economic activity (pop-up markets, trail promotions, guided walks/hikes/rides/tours)
Map assets and needs (access points, parking, signage, lighting, restrooms, water stations, ADA accessibility, wayfinding, public art)
Develop and implement a stakeholder engagement plan (public workshops, intercept surveys on the trail, online surveys, focus groups)
Facilitate meetings with public officials, advisory groups, local businesses, chambers of commerce, tourism entities, schools/universities, health systems, law enforcement/EMS, and community organizations
Build partnerships that support programming and cross-promotion (health challenges, seasonal festivals, heritage walks, mountain bike groups)
Identify and design a portfolio of trail programs (low-cost pilots and scalable signature events) aligned to community goals: health & wellness, arts/culture, environmental education, accessibility, youth development, and economic vitality
Create activation strategies for trailheads (e.g., pop-up vendor zones, performance spaces, kid-friendly stations, interpretive signage)
Recommend inclusive programming
Identify sponsorship packages and funding opportunities (grants, corporate/health partners, local foundations)
Develop a 35 year Strategic Plan with phased implementation roadmap and budget ranges
Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and data collection methods
Pilot up to 23 quick-start programs during the internship (as feasible), gather feedback, and refine
Produce professional-quality materials: executive summary, full plan, maps, slide deck, and public-facing one-pagers
Present findings to Parks & Recreation leadership, advisory groups, and elected officials
Provide recommendations on branding, messaging, and marketing toolkits
Qualifications
United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
At least 18 years of age
Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
Able to commit to 32 weeks of service
Must serve in West Virginia
Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a program in Parks & Recreation Management, Urban/Regional Planning, Public Administration, Community Development, Tourism & ospitality, Environmental Studies, or related field
Strong research, writing, and communication skills; comfortable facilitating public meetings
Experience with project management, data collection (surveys/interviews), and basic analytics
Proficiency with productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft 365), and basic mapping/visualization (e.g., ArcGIS Online/QGIS, or willingness to learn)
Ability to conduct field work on the trail (walking/biking), including occasional evenings/weekends for community events
Preferred Qualifications And Skills
Must serve in West Virginia, West Virginia resident preferred
Experience with recreation programming and event planning
Familiarity with economic development concepts
Skills in graphic design/communications (Canva, basic Adobe) and social media strategy
Knowledge of inclusive, accessible programming and ADA considerations
Grant writing or sponsorship packaging experience
Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively
Professional communication skills: written, presentation, and public speaking
Benefits
Although each WV READY Members project will look different depending on host site needs, they will still be able to lean on a cohort-style model for support, shared experiences, and professional development. Ideal candidates for this initiative are young adults looking to build a career and be a part of this larger movement in the Mountain State! Additional benefits include:
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
Living Allowance of $600 per week
Receive tuition and fee waivers at West Virginia institutions of higher education
- Learn how to maximize your education award in West Virginia!
Access to all member and alumni benefits of Conservation Legacy
Opportunity to make a HUGE impact on your community
Service opportunities can help propel your career forward with intentional experience and professional connections
Salary : $600