Stewards VISTA: Western Alliance for Reclamation Management (WARM)- WCU

Job Overview

Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Western Alliance for Reclamation Management (WARM)- WCU – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East

Site Location: 728 W. 2nd Street

City, State or Full Address: Salida, CO 81201

Terms of Service:

Start Date: July 13, 2026

End Date: July 12, 2027

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

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

Purpose:

The Western Alliance for Reclamation Management (WARM) is a nonprofit consortium and an AmeriCorps Program based at Western Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado, with programming spanning the American West. Founded in 2018, WARM works to restore lands and waters damaged by decades of legacy mining while building economic opportunity in the rural communities that have long depended on—and been impacted by—extractive industries. Rooted in the values of environmental restoration, workforce development, and community collaboration, WARM prepares the next generation of mine reclamation professionals by connecting students and community members to meaningful careers in environmental work. Gunnison itself is a tight-knit, high-elevation mountain town surrounded by public lands, offering a unique and rewarding place to live and serve for those drawn to both outdoor adventure and community-centered work.

The AmeriCorps VISTA member will serve full-time with WARM to help grow the organization’s capacity to train and connect people to careers in environmental restoration and land reclamation. In this AmeriCorps Position, the member will develop curriculum, scholarship and fellowship frameworks, and outreach materials that open doors for students and community members—particularly those from rural or under-resourced backgrounds—who are interested in environmental careers. By building these programs and systems from the ground up, the member will play a foundational role in expanding WARM’s reach and long-term impact across the rural West.

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

Description of Duties:

• Support expansion of career pathways in mine reclamation through developing resources for grant writing, partnership development, volunteer coordination, and workforce program support
• Develop outreach materials for staff to promote scholarships and fellowships for students and community members
• Develop logistics for a summer mine reclamation field course
• Develop an outreach plan for staff to build and maintain relationships with universities, government agencies, and nonprofit partners across the U.S. West
• Gain experience in nonprofit leadership and environmental workforce development
• Develop professional networks in environmental restoration and public service fields

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), 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, [email protected]

For site related information, contact Dominique Naccarato, [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.