Energy Communities VISTA: Project Specialist – Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky

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

Located in Hazard, KY, Foundation for Appalachian KY is a hub for rural development- building capacity and support for community and economic development activities, investing local resources to accelerate promising sectors, new social enterprises, and entrepreneurial ecosystems, and acting as an honest broker that can support civic engagement. Working with local people, local government, nonprofits, schools, and businesses, we have developed partnerships that support community engagement, diverse leadership, new enterprises and entrepreneurship, workforce empowerment and jobs in several promising sectors including local food and agriculture, arts and culture, affordable and energy efficient housing, in one of the most persistently poor regions of our country. We envision a region where economic opportunity is abundant, communities value and encourage learning and curiosity as a priority throughout a person’s life, and new ideas, businesses, and visions can thrive and take root. As the Foundation’s community representative in a partnership for the development of a 7000-acre solar farm on a multi-county mine site, the VISTA member will maintain close ties to developers, environmental partners (TNC), affiliate Foundation boards in impacted communities, and other community stakeholders. The first year will be primarily learning about the project, building strong relationships, attending meetings and hosting stakeholder events to ensure and open and honest process.

Member Duties

VISTAs will work to alleviate poverty in one of the most persistent poverty regions in the nation. The VISTA member will

• maintain close ties to developers, environmental partners (TNC), affiliate Foundation boards in impacted communities, and other community stakeholders.
• work with community leadership boards in four counties to determine priority needs for funding generated through a Community Benefits Agreement with BrightNight Starfire Solar.
• engage in coalition building across counties, community colleges, affiliate boards, local governments and other partners to connect on goals and strategies to build local economies and meet community needs.
• activities could include grant writing, fundraising, outreach, volunteer program development, database development, and pilot programs related to the investment strategies for the BrightNight Community Fund.

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:

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

Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Required Experience

Applicant must have earned an undergraduate degree.