As energy opportunities expand, coal and power facility jobs are declining across the United States. The Energy Communities AmeriCorps VISTA project will develop and advance programs that increase environmental awareness and stewardship, job training, employment pathways, and access to existing federal and community resources for low-income individuals living in energy transition communities. Energy Communities AmeriCorps members will serve low-income energy communities that are experiencing energy transformations. VISTA members will be placed with local organizations to help assess environmental impacts, identify existing supports, and develop economic transformation and revitalization goals with their communities. 

IMPORTANT:

Please note that this VISTA term is:

• Full time, 
• 1-year in length,
• Begins in November 2024 and ends in November 2025

The living allowance for Energy Communities VISTAs is $88.39 per day (including weekends). This is equivalent to $15.51/hour ($32,262.35/year).

For more information about Energy Communities AmeriCorps, please visit our website.

For any questions, please contact Shelby Street at sstreet@conservationlegacy.org

To apply, please use the AmeriCorps link here.

About the Site and Position:

Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) was formed 10 years ago by Congressman Hal Rogers and Governor Steve Beshear when the coal industry had its final decline in Eastern Kentucky. Communities began asking the all-important question of "What's next?" for a region that had been dependent on this single industry. From those initial conversations came SOAR, a special regional initiative to bring the right answers to this question in a full-time capacity. SOAR communicates, convenes, and connects leaders and organizations from across Eastern Kentucky to accomplish critical long-term goals of increasing the region's population and labor force participation. SOAR serves the 54 Appalachian Regional Commission counties in Eastern Kentucky. The core of SOAR's work happens in the 36 ARC distressed counties in Eastern Kentucky, which means these counties are in the bottom 10% of counties nationwide when it comes to median household income, 3-year trailing unemployment rate, and poverty rate. These communities are struggling with outmigration, a declining tax base, a lack of job opportunities, low labor force participation, and other barriers to employment like housing and childcare shortages. SOAR's EDA Recompete project, The Eastern Kentucky Runway, seeks to remove barriers to employment for individuals aged 25 - 54 years old and bring them back into the workforce. Over the next 5 years, SOAR expects to reduce the prime age employment gap in its 12 project counties by 5% and move 1,500 Eastern Kentuckians aged 25 - 54 into full-time employment.

Member Duties:

VISTA duties could include community outreach/engagement, data collection and entry, policy research, and/or client engagement and support. SOAR will provide opportunities for the VISTA to travel throughout Eastern Kentucky to gain field experience. The VISTA member will

• Set Year 1 activity and performance metrics with host site staff.
• Review existing SOAR communication and social media channels including the current roster of SOAR events.
• Perform a gap analysis on current SOAR communication strategies. 
• Develop strategic plans with SOAR Marketing and Communication staff to provide additional capacity on the execution of strategic communication and event plans. 
• Become skilled with software and technology used by the SOAR team (HubSpot, Asana, Eventbrite, and others). 
• Research industry best practices for communication, marketing, and event planning and bring recommendations back to the SOAR team.

Program Benefits:

VISTA service provides an excellent opportunity for the member to develop professional skills and experience, build their network, and make a tangible impact on critical community needs. VISTAs also access the following benefits:

• Segal Education Award ($7,395) OR Cash Stipend (~$1,800) upon successful completion of service
• Living Allowance ($88.39/day, disbursed every 2 weeks)
• Relocation Allowance
• Regular Training and Professional Development Opportunities (free and virtual)
• Employee Wellness Program (access to a licensed, professional counselor and 24/7 in-moment support)
• Childcare*
• Healthcare*
• Non-Competitive Eligibility upon successful completion of the term*
• Networking and Mentorship
• Access to a nationwide cohort of like-minded peers

*For more information regarding the Segal Education Award, check out this link: https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award.

*For more information regarding the AmeriCorps VISTA Childcare benefit, please visit https://americorpschildcare.com/.

*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit http://www.vistacampus.gov/healthcare.

*For details about Non-Competitive Eligibility, please see https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/americorps-vista-alumni-nce-2023.pdf

What is an AmeriCorps VISTA?

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members are dedicated individuals who serve full-time in their assigned communities to build capacity, support economic development, and foster sustainable programs. They receive various benefits, including a living allowance, education award, professional development, healthcare and childcare, and non-competitive eligibility for federal jobs after service completion.

What is Energy Comunimties AmeriCorps?

Energy Communities AmeriCorps offers technical support to help communities impacted by previous or pending coal mine and power plant closures. This program bridges the gap between environmental and economic concerns by focusing on a more diversified economic portfolio. Creating opportunities in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, small businesses, tourism and more strengthens communities and builds for the future.

The Basics:

• Funding: More than $12.5 million is available to support the project, funded by federal agencies and philanthropic sources.
• Duration: The initiative is set to run for three years, starting in fall 2024.
• Locations: Nine priority Energy Communities, including Appalachian Ohio, Eastern Kentucky, Illinois Coal Basin, Four Corners, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Wyoming, and Montana.

What is Stewards Individual Placements?

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health.

Stewards VISTA Program is a national intermediary sponsor with 22 years of experience operating VISTA projects that support economic development and environmental stewardship in coal mining communities. Since 2002, Stewards has engaged over 1,200 VISTA members, securing $41 million in grants and in-kind resources, recruiting 100,000 volunteers, and developing capacity for organizations to strengthen mining communities.

Stewards Individual Placements is a program of Conservation Legacy, a national organization with a 25-year history of operating AmeriCorps VISTA and State and National programs.

For more information regarding Stewards, please visit our website.

Stewards Individual Placements does not and will not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application, interviewing, and/or onboarding process, please send your request to the hiring manager in your preferred method of communication.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Communications
• Business/Entrepreneur
• Recruitment
• Computers/Technology
• Fund raising/Grant Writing 
• Community Organization  
• Leadership 
• Teamwork
• Project management
• Education
• Interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail

Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

Applicant must have earned an undergraduate degree.