Position Title: Stewards VISTA: LEAD Agency- AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East
Site Location: LEAD Agency
City, State or Full Address: 223 A St. SE, Miami, OK 74354
Terms of Service:
Start Date: 07/14/25
End Date: 07/13/26
Must serve a 365-day (1 year) service term
Living Allowance: $68.39/day ($24,962.35/year)
PLEASE APPLY USING THIS LINK: My AmeriCorps - Home Page
Purpose:
Ottawa County, Oklahoma, is home to the historic Tar Creek mining district, once one of the world’s most productive lead and zinc regions. While the industry brought jobs and prosperity in its time, decades of mining left behind significant environmental challenges that still affect the land, water, and nearby communities. Many families live near areas impacted by this legacy, and the region continues to face economic hardship as it works toward recovery.
This AmeriCorps VISTA project is focused on helping local leaders and organizations strengthen their long-term recovery efforts—not by replacing local solutions, but by equipping communities with the tools and partnerships they need to succeed on their own terms. The goal is to build lasting capacity that reduces poverty, grows opportunity, and ensures that communities can plan and implement their own future. The VISTA member will work with rural stakeholders to assess current needs, identify available resources, and lay out a clear strategy for long-term revitalization. They’ll support efforts to secure outside funding, connect with regional partners, and coordinate outreach that brings residents into the process. While the environmental cleanup remains a long-term challenge, this position focuses on the people and places impacted—helping communities build systems that work for them. This is a hands-on opportunity to serve in a region that has given a lot to this country. The work centers on practical problem-solving, local leadership, and helping rural Oklahomans chart a more stable and prosperous path forward.
The AmeriCorps VISTA member will build capacity and develop sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty in underserved communities.
Description of Duties:
The VISTA member will help build local capacity in Ottawa County by working with residents and community leaders to assess needs, identify solutions, and support long-range recovery planning. Duties include:
- Developing a community-driven needs assessment
- Drafting a strategic action plan, and supporting training sessions that build local leadership
- Researching and tracking funding opportunities
- Supporting partner engagement
- Coordinating outreach efforts
This role is focused on equipping the community with the tools and knowledge needed for long-term economic stability and reduced dependence on outside aid.
Qualifications:
- United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
- At least 18 years of age
- College graduate
- Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check
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 full-time (35-40 hours) from 7/14/25 to 7/13/26, but exact schedules may vary.
- Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
Orientation and Training:
- Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
- Member will receive a Virtual Member Orientation (VMO) from VISTA on their first day of service.
Benefits:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award* of $7,395.00
o or choice of cash stipend of ~$1,800.00
- Living Allowance of $68.39 per day, disbursed every 2 weeks
- Relocation Allowance ($750) if Eligible
- Healthcare Coverage* if Eligible
- Childcare Coverage* if Eligible
- Loan forbearance if Eligible
- Interest Payments if Eligible
- Training and Professional Development Opportunities
- Employee Wellness Program (access to a licensed, professional counselor and 24/7 support)
- Non-Competitive Eligibility* (NCE) status upon successful completion of the term
- Networking and Mentorship
- For more information regarding the Segal Education Award, check out this link as well as alternative uses for the award here.
- For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit http://www.vistacampus.gov/healthcare.
- For more information regarding the AmeriCorps VISTA Childcare benefit, please visit https://americorpschildcare.com/.
- For details about Non-Competitive Eligibility, please visit https://my.americorps.gov/trust/help/member_portal/non_competitive_eligibility_overview.htm.
Evaluation and Reporting:
As an AmeriCorps VISTA member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed their required year of service; 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, accomplishment tracking, and quarterly reporting.
Supervisor Name and Contact Information:
For VISTA related information, contact Addie Gilkerson, [email protected]
For site related information, contact Rebecca, [email protected]
PLEASE APPLY USING THIS LINK: My AmeriCorps - Home Page
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
