Energy Communities VISTA: Community Engagement Coordinator - Indiana County Thrives

Join as our Energy Communities VISTA & catalyze a just transition for Indiana County, PA. Help us leverage new skills and relationships for innovative economic growth in our coal-impacted communities.

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 December 2024 and ends in December 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:

Indiana County Thrives (ICT) is an inclusive, community-led economic and workforce development initiative focused on creating equitable opportunities in the coal-impacted communities of Indiana County, PA. ICT draws strength from its partnership with The Center for Community Growth and Whole Unity Inc., who have been working to address the needs of marginalized communities and strengthen community bonds. ICT’s focus is to build capacity by facilitating strategic workshops that advance place-based development. Our program seeks to connect each community’s unique identity, assets, and ambitions, to create innovative pathways for thriving places to live, work, and play. Our efforts have gained momentum with the addition of 2 DOE capacity building programs. With the help of our VISTA, we’re poised to leverage these new skills, relationships, and the groundwork from our existing programs to achieve a just transition. The VISTA project will be instrumental in facilitating ICT’s mission to bring about new, diverse economic and workforce opportunities. Their skills will help us in executing our workshops, engaging with stakeholders, reporting on results, finding funding, and developing the partnerships that will turn community-led innovation strategies into actionable steps towards building diverse and robust local economies that follow the Department of Labor’s good jobs principles.

Indiana, the county seat where we are centralized, is a welcoming college town, surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, with shops, nightlife, and street festivals. ICT works within communities in the 9 municipalities impacted by the closure of coal-fired power plants. Each of these communities are identified as Environmental Justice Communities by PennEnviroScreen and contain significant levels of low-income, unemployment, disability, and other environmental and health-related impacts.

For the year of service, we are prepared to assist with finding living arrangements and covering a portion of each month’s rent to ensure that the burden on the VISTA does not exceed 20% of their monthly income (maximum $200).

Member Duties:

The VISTA member will assess and develop an asset map of existing community supports and new federal opportunities available to the community. The VISTA will identify organizations serving the community, and build partnerships and coalitions to align resources. The VISTA will develop strategic plans utilizing community input to identify anti-poverty initiatives needed by the community.

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:

• For the year of service, we are prepared to assist with finding living arrangements and covering a portion of each month’s rent to ensure that the burden on the VISTA does not exceed 20% of their monthly income (maximum $200).
• 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.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

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

Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

Applicant must have earned an undergraduate degree.