Stewards VISTA: Outdoor Opportunity Youth Coordinator- AmeriCorps

Job Overview

Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Outdoor Opportunity Youth Coordinator- AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East

Site Location: Beckley, WV

City, State or Full Address: 330 Harper Park Drive, Suite I, Beckley, WV 25801

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)

PLEASE APPLY USING THIS LINK:  My AmeriCorps – Home Page

Purpose:

The Stewards Individual Placements AmeriCorps Program is committed to fostering connections between youth and the natural world while expanding career awareness in conservation. Serving middle and high school students in southern West Virginia, this program values education, community engagement, and workforce development. Through innovative curriculum design, leadership training, and partnership-building, the program empowers young people to explore career pathways in outdoor industries while strengthening local conservation efforts.

This AmeriCorps Position will focus on developing a middle school curriculum and creating a Youth Conservation Corps for high school students. The member will research best practices, collaborate with educators and professionals, and establish meaningful partnerships to enhance programming. Additionally, they will support volunteer training, secure funding opportunities, and engage with community leaders to ensure long-term program sustainability.

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

Description of Duties:

• Design an Outdoor Education Curriculum – Create a fun and engaging program for middle school students to learn about conservation careers and outdoor recreation.
• Develop a Youth Conservation Corps – Help establish a high school program where students (ages 16-18) can gain hands-on experience, earn a wage, and build life skills.
• Learn from Experts – Travel to other youth conservation programs to observe best practices and bring new ideas back to West Virginia.
• Grow Your Professional Network – Participate in Leadership Beckley, a program that connects you with local business and community leaders.
• Promote Outdoor Opportunities – Explore West Virginia’s parks, trails, and outdoor recreation sites to better connect students with local experiences.
• Build Career Connections – Work with conservation professionals and outdoor industry leaders to expand career exposure for students.
• Strengthen Partnerships – Develop relationships with local, state, and national recreation programs to support long-term program success.
• Support Educators & Volunteers – Create training materials and resources to help teachers, volunteers, and mentors engage with students.
• Secure Funding & Resources – Identify potential funding sources and partnerships to sustain and grow the program.

This role is ideal for someone who loves the outdoors, is passionate about education, and wants to make a lasting impact on youth and conservation efforts!

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
  • 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, [email protected]

For site related information, contact April Elkins Badtke, [email protected]

PLEASE APPLY USING THIS LINK:  My AmeriCorps – Home Page

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.