Stewards VISTA: WV DEP Northern Basin Year 1

Overview

Are you looking for an opportunity to live and serve closely in unique Appalachian communities of West Virginia? Our state is home to over 10,000 streams and 46 rivers with over 30 watershed associations dedicated to protecting them and enhancing the communities they flow through with environmental restoration projects and outreach. This program will provide the opportunity for career experience with state, federal and nonprofit programs that provide technical assistance and grant funds for environmental restoration efforts.

You will be paired with a WV Department of Environmental Protection mentor to create systems for innovative projects that improve water quality, habitat, health, recreation, water monitoring, youth programs and community revitalization. This service opportunity will be in the Northern Basin of West Virginia with a focus on watersheds in Fairmont and northern panhandle areas. The VISTA will contribute to the development of internal resource databases, community development planning tools, and a multi-year community engagement implementation guide.

These products will be used by staff to guide external engagement, coordinate partners, and pursue programmatic funding after the VISTA term.

• Identify community assets that projects can be built around to enhance community.
• Develop a toolkit to promote existing watershed associations’ success stories through web sites, apps and publications.
• Develop a plan for staff to prepare and submit grant applications to enhance a priority community asset.
• Develop a toolkit to facilitate a Project Team for a successful project to increase organizational capacity and enhance environmental stewardship and community revitalization in WV.
• Create a plan to celebrate success and develop a volunteer recognition program.
• Create a database to identify new organizations that could benefit from the project partnership.
• Develop a plan to recruit volunteers and new members for the organization’s Board of Directors.
• Promote local business and nonprofits as a project partner and invest project funding to support their needs.

Relocation Allowance, Stipend, Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend, Childcare assistance if eligible, Housing, Training, Education award upon successful completion of service, Living Allowance, Health Coverage*.

Permits attendance at school during off hours, car recommended, permits working at another job during off hours.

Neighborhood Revitalization, Community and Economic Development, Disaster Relief, Entrepreneur/Business, Health, Education, Technology, Environment, Community Outreach, Veterans, Children/Youth.

Environment, Recruitment, Fund raising/Grant Writing, Public Speaking, Urban Planning, Computers/Technology, Communications, Teaching/Tutoring, Team Work, Non-Profit Management, Community Organization, Writing/Editing, Education.

Program Type: Ameri Corps VISTA
Program Stewards VISTA: WV DEP Northern Basin Year 1
Program Start/End Date 05/04/2026 - 05/03/2027
Work Schedule Full Time
Education level Some college
Age Requirement Minimum: 18 Maximum:
None
Program Locations WEST VIRGINIA
Languages English
Accepting Applications From 01/21/2026 To 05/01/2026

Addie Gilkerson
330 Harper Park Dr
Beckley WV 25801

(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).
www.stewardslegacy.org