Energy Communities VISTA: Economic Development Specialist – Cumberland Valley Area Development District

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 [email protected]

To apply, please use the AmeriCorps link here.

About The Site And Position

The Cumberland Valley Area Development District’s official mission is “to bring local civic and governmental leaders together to accomplish major objectives and take advantage of opportunities which cannot be achieved or realized by those governments acting alone”. This position will be associated with our Economic Development unit, whose focus is helping local governments improve infrastructure, respond to crises, and realize potential for economic growth and greater, more effective use of the resources already available in the area. We work closely with the officials in our 25 county and city jurisdictions, providing guidance in funding opportunities, writing or assisting with grant applications, and administering grant programs to ensure they meet federal and/or state standards. We are focusing our efforts through this program on three counties – Knox, Harlan, and Bell. The VISTA will serve under guidance by CVADD staff, in community outreach, grant writing, and grant program management to ensure needs in the community are being addressed. The area is poised to tackle the future, and it is an exciting time to work here. CVADD works hard to help local jurisdictions find funding to build the infrastructure necessary to support new jobs and industries, to promote the area’s distinct culture, and to provide guidance in preparing communities to be grant-ready. The VISTA will help us provide those services, which are focused on helping communities help themselves so efforts are foundational and sustainable.

Member Duties

The VISTA will have the opportunity to provide input to CVADD staff about projects they see a need for and work on those projects as appropriate. CVADD will make every effort to support the VISTA in these tasks, and provide on-the-job training as needed to ensure the VISTA is comfortable with the parameters of assigned tasks. We anticipate that the VISTA would live in one of the three focus counties, working under the guidance of CVADD staff to help local government officials. The VISTA would be tasked with:

• Assisting in developing resources for grant proposals; attending and conducting public meetings about ongoing CVADD projects;
• Providing outreach by attending meetings with local organizations such as Chambers of Commerce, city councils, and fiscal courts;
• Meeting with local officials to discern their needs and then working with CVADD staff to address those;
• Providing assistance to CVADD staff in administering grant projects.

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 Communities 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.

Required Skills

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Community Organization
• Fund raising/Grant Writing
• Communications
• Writing/Editing
• Public Speaking
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Project management
• Interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail

Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Required Experience

Applicant must have earned an undergraduate degree.