Stewards VISTA: Schuylkill River Greenways NHA – AmeriCorps

Job Overview

Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Schuylkill River Greenways NHA – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East

Site Location: Pottsville, PA 17901

City, State or Full Address: 140 College Drive

Terms of Service:

Start Date: May 4, 2026

End Date: May 3, 2027

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

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

Use this link to apply: My AmeriCorps – Home Page

Purpose:

This position is part of an AmeriCorps Program designed to strengthen the capacity of nonprofit organizations and communities along the Schuylkill River by advancing environmental stewardship, public engagement, and equitable access to outdoor and heritage resources. The program serves communities throughout the Schuylkill River Valley in Pennsylvania, with a focus on collaboration, sustainability, inclusion, and long-term systems change that supports community resilience and regional development. Guided by principles of service, partnership, and stewardship, the program seeks to build lasting infrastructure that connects people to the Schuylkill River Trail and Schuylkill River Water Trail.

As an AmeriCorps Position, the member will support Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area by researching grant opportunities, developing sustainable fundraising and capacity-building systems, and strengthening partnerships that expand access to trails and waterways. Through indirect service activities such as research, planning, and systems development, the member’s work will enhance organizational effectiveness and contribute to long-term community impact aligned with SRGA’s mission.

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

Description of Duties:

The AmeriCorps member will engage in indirect service activities that build the organizational capacity of Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area (SRGA) and its partners to support sustainable trail development, community engagement, and long-term planning efforts. Duties include:

• Researching funding opportunities and preparing grant applications to support development of the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT), Schuylkill River Water Trail (SRWT), and related site enhancement projects
• Developing and maintaining systems for grant tracking, database management, and project scheduling
• Coordinating logistics and materials for public meetings, workshops, and partner discussions, including documentation and follow-up
• Assisting with planning processes by organizing information for engineering-related discussions and partner consultations
• Creating and applying evaluation tools to assess how trail sections and recreational amenities serve local communities
• Collaborating with SRGA staff and partner organizations to support outreach and engagement events that encourage public participation and highlight the value of regional recreational and heritage resources

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
• Housing Allowance ($500 monthly)
• 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 Jacob Gardner, [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.