Stewards VISTA: Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative- AmeriCorps

Job Overview

Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative- AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East

Site Location: Alma, CO

City, State or Full Address: 59 East Buckskin Rd. Alma, CO 80420

Terms of Service:

Start Date: 07/14/25

End Date: 07/13/26

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

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

*Professional Development Funds and Possible Housing Stipend

 Apply At: conservationlegacy:Career Search

Purpose:

This is an AmeriCorps Program dedicated to supporting the mission of the Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative (MRHI), a grassroots conservation organization serving the high-elevation communities of Park County, Colorado. The program aims to protect the unique biodiversity of the Mosquito Range while empowering residents and visitors through environmental education, stewardship, and volunteerism. Grounded in the values of community engagement, sustainability, and respect for natural and cultural heritage, this program seeks to foster long-term conservation through local participation and capacity building.

The AmeriCorps Position serves to build and strengthen community-led conservation efforts by developing and delivering environmental education programs, facilitating stewardship projects, expanding volunteer engagement, and supporting youth leadership opportunities. Through these efforts, the member will play a vital role in enhancing the community’s connection to and protection of the Mosquito Range while helping MRHI secure a sustainable foundation for future growth.

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

Description of Duties:

As an AmeriCorps Member serving with the Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative (MRHI), you will help build conservation capacity and environmental stewardship in Park County, Colorado. Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop and deliver environmental education programs for youth and adults, focusing on local ecology, conservation principles, and natural resource management.
• Organize and facilitate hands-on stewardship projects such as trail maintenance, native seed planting, invasive species removal, and habitat restoration.
• Create and implement a youth leadership program to engage local teens and pre-teens in environmental stewardship and career exploration.
• Coordinate and promote a community workshop series on topics such as conservation, natural science, and regional heritage.
• Recruit and engage volunteers from the local community and visiting public for ongoing stewardship and educational opportunities.
• Assist with outreach and communications to increase public awareness of MRHI’s mission and programs through newsletters, social media, and local partnerships.
• Support the development of new funding opportunities by researching grants and helping prepare proposals to sustain environmental education and stewardship programming.
• Collaborate with local schools, agencies, and businesses to build lasting partnerships and community support for MRHI’s conservation efforts.

This position is ideal for a motivated, creative individual interested in environmental education, community engagement, and grassroots conservation.

Qualifications:

• 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

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) from 7/14/25 to 7/13/26, 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
• Professional Development Funds and Possible Housing Stipend
• 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, [email protected]

For site related information, contact Cara Doyle, [email protected]

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.