Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural and cultural resources. The West Virginia Rural Engagement Ambassadors for Development and Youth (WV READY) is a new collaborative AmeriCorps program sponsored by Stewards Individual Placements. Stewards, in partnership with Volunteer WV, and local community organizations such as the Meadow River Valley Association, is working to support WV’s transition to eco-tourism, outdoor recreation, and increasing outdoor access.

Meadow River Valley Association (MRVA) is a 501C3 non-profit that was formed to promote community and economic development projects within the boundaries of the Meadow River Watershed in Fayette, Greenbrier, and Nicholas Counties in West Virginia.  MRVA has led the redevelopment of the former Rupert School and participated in the acquisition of more than $5 Million to convert a portion of the former school into 20 affordable housing units that will open in early 2025. This is in addition to overall coordination of property acquisition and assisting other project partners with project development (early childhood learning center, family resource center, gymnasium, and helipad for emergency services). This project was successful thanks to the support received from the Blueprint Communities Program.  

Since the Rupert School project has progressed to a point where the organization can shift focus, MRVA is currently working on enhancement of recreational opportunities that will drive community and economic development. MRVA’s goal is to assist with enhancing recreational opportunities that will create economic opportunities that will allow our organization to further utilize the skills learned and partnerships developed during the Blueprint Communities Program training and Rupert School redevelopment to repurpose other abandoned properties and help foster business development.

The WV Rural Engagement Ambassador for Development and Youth (WV Ready) AmeriCorps Member with the Meadow River Valley Association and their consultant will assess, develop, and grow West Virginia's regional outdoor recreational economy by: 

• Identifying a path forward for National Park Service expansion to Nallen, WV that is supported by stakeholder groups
• Identify a path forward for other river protection destinations and Meadow River Rail Trail management above Nallen, WV that is supported by stakeholder groups
• Provide recommended solutions for historic and complicated access issues for user groups that leverages the backbone feature of the rail trail
• Identify recreation-based economic development opportunities for the headwaters region of the Meadow River Watershed
• Continue youth engagement and participation initiatives via the Meadow River Youth Advisory Council at Greenbrier West High School

Description of Duties:

To achieve the goals of this WV Ready position, the member will:

• Work with MRVA volunteers to host additional meetings in the community and gather input
• Work with the selected master planning consultant on projects
• Support project direction setting
• Engage public in redevelopment plans
• Assist in Master Plan development

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check
• Able to commit to 32 weeks of service
• Valid Driver’s License

• Must serve in West Virginia, West Virginia resident preferred

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Professional communication skills: written, presentation, and public speaking
• Facilitating group conversations
• Managing/supporting volunteers
• Passion and interest for outdoor recreation development
• Leadership
• Ability and willingness to work actively outdoors

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 Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term
• The Member will be included in the WV Ready Member cohort; this cohort will meet on a bi-weekly basis for 1.5 hours and Members are expected to attend

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Member will receive training on Community Asset Mapping (CAM)
• Safety training pertinent to environmental consulting will be provided

Benefits:

Although each WV READY Member’s project will look different depending on host site needs, they will still be able to lean on a cohort-style model for support, shared experiences, and professional development. Ideal candidates for this initiative are young adults looking to build a career and be a part of this larger movement in the Mountain State!  Additional benefits include:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5176.50, pre-tax
• Living Allowance of $600 per week
• Receive tuition and fee waivers at West Virginia institutions of higher education
  • Learn how to maximize your education award in West Virginia!
• Paid Training & Professional Development
• Access to all member and alumni benefits of Conservation Legacy
• Opportunity to make a HUGE impact on your community
• Service opportunities can help propel your career forward with intentional experience and professional connection

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, 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 and accomplishment tracking.

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements. 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.