Service Site: Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority
Address: 200 E Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, CO 81230
Term 1/March 10th, 2025 to December 14th, 2025
Program Overview
Localizing our food system is one of the most impactful and actionable steps we can take to solve so many of our
global problems. Across the central Rocky Mountains and southwestern Colorado, AmeriCorps service with Mountain
Roots Healthy Futures Program builds social, economic, and environmental health for rural communities. We work
with organizations throughout the region who are leaders in their fields, activating community-driven initiatives
including Farm to School, Regenerative Agriculture & Community Gardens, Hunger Solutions (Community Food
Security), and other programs in public health, conservation, and the environment. With Healthy Futures AmeriCorps,
you’ll build a bridge from college to career while building and sustaining healthy communities, healthy people, and a
healthy environment.
Organization Overview
The Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority (GVRHA) promotes and provides long term supply of affordable
housing in Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties. GV-HEAT, or the Gunnison Valley – Home Energy Advancement Team, is a
program of GVRHA connecting households with resources to help improve the energy efficiency, comfort, and
affordability of housing in our valley. GV-HEAT serves households in the low-income range (80% Area Median Income
(AMI) or below) and is expanding its programming to assist folks in the middle-income range (80-150% AMI). It is our
main goal to reduce the excessive energy burden and health risks these households are carrying. GV-HEAT has tripled
its annual output since its inception in 2017.
Service Description
An AmeriCorps Member will help build GV-HEAT’s overall capacity to increase its current output measured in
households served with energy efficiency upgrades and a healthier living environment. The Member will create and
implement an outreach plan to educate new and prospective clients on participating in a variety of GV-HEAT’s
programs and on the available tax and rebate incentives serving low to moderate income households in the Gunnison
Valley.
The AmeriCorps Member will give GV-HEAT the ability to sustain and grow its program. The activities of the Member
will be multi-faceted and will focus on interacting and collaborating with the local community to help educate and
spread the word with multiple stakeholders. The AmeriCorps Member will assist GV-HEAT in two key areas as part of
its mission to increase the scope and quantity of energy efficiency upgrades in income-qualified households. The
areas are 1) Education and Outreach about the CARE (Colorado’s Affordable Residential Energy) and bill pay
programs to households up to 80% AMI and 2) Education and Outreach about subsidized energy assessments, tax
incentives and, rebate opportunities to households between the 80%-150% AMI income range.
As part of Outreach, the AmeriCorps Member will spearhead GV-HEAT’s outreach efforts by creating and following an
outreach plan.
AmeriCorps Member Primary Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Assist and educate prospective and new clients and maintain client databases and connections.
• Educate the community about GV-HEAT programs, such as CARE and bill pay programs.
• Educate the community about subsidized energy assessments, tax incentives, and rebates on a federal, state
and local level to assist in energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy upgrades in client’s homes.
• Spearhead GV-HEAT’s outreach efforts with direct mailings, advertisements, organizing events or home tours.
• Collaborate with other organizations who are serving a similar client base to ensure effective wrap-around
services are provided for each client.
• Through outreach, find interested parties and present services and opportunities in community-based
presentations.
• Interview past participants and prepare case studies.
• Assist with data analysis and report creation; comprise user data into meaningful reports.
• Conduct energy savings calculations and reports.
• Write occasional state, local, or foundation grants.
SECONDARY FUNCTIONS
• Attend and report to GVRHA staff and/or board meetings, as applicable.
• Attend GVRHA events or happenings, as applicable.
Location and Service Conditions:
This position is based at Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority, 200 E Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, CO 81230 and
will involve service at other locations in Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties, when doing service in the community and in
the field. Position will involve occasional days of service outdoors and/or in a school or community building
Qualifications:
• Possess strong written and oral communication skills.
• Be organized in daily tasks.
• Be detail-oriented and able to work with accuracy across multiple projects.
• Demonstrate experience with community organizing.
• Able to prioritize tasks, work independently and as part of a team.
• Show proficiency in Microsoft applications, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Have an interest in social media and website management and utilizing CANVA as a tool to share about
resources.
• Maintain staff and client confidentiality.
• Be interested in obtaining knowledge in the fields of energy efficiency, housing, and construction.
• Bachelor’s or related degree and/or experience in a relevant field is preferred.
• Knowledge of the Spanish language is a plus.
AmeriCorps Required Qualifications:
• At least 17 years old at start of service
• Must be a high school graduate, GED recipient, or working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED
during the term of service. Members must obtain either a diploma or GED before using the education award.
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States
• Able to pass a National Service Criminal History Check (state, FBI, and National Sex Offender Public Website
checks) per 45 CFR 2540.202
Healthy Futures AmeriCorps Program Benefits
Term 1
Living Allowance: $13,769.91 Living Allowance: $4,050
Bi-weekly amount: $655.71 Education Award: $655.71
Education Award: $5,176.50 Education Award: 2025 minimum term award is
$1,565.08 (will see an increase in 2026)
• All Members receive professional development and training, plus covered travel costs for attendance at state or
regional conferences.
• Members may be eligible for Federal program assistance (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.)
• Members may qualify for student loan forbearance (postponing the payment of loans) while in service.
• Alumni benefits include priority hiring with organizations that are part of Employers of National Service and
the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to eliminate educational debt.
About the Living Allowance
An AmeriCorps Living Allowance is not a wage, salary, or hourly pay. You are enrolling in a SERVICE position, not
a job. The Living Allowance is a stipend designed to support the basic necessities of the individual while in
service, such as room and board, utilities, and transportation. Carefully consider this when applying.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now on our website at mountainrootsfoodproject.org. If you have any
questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
