Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Western Alliance for Reclamation Management (WARM)

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East

Site Location: Gunnison, CO

City, State or Full Address: 1 Western Way, Gunnison, CO 81231

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 05/05/25
• End Date: 05/04/26
• 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:

The Western Alliance for Reclamation Management (WARM) AmeriCorps Program is dedicated to preparing the next generation of professionals for careers in mine reclamation, environmental stewardship, and sustainable resource management across the US West. By fostering collaboration between academic institutions, industry leaders, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, WARM works to restore ecosystems, revitalize impacted communities, and create economic opportunities through responsible reclamation efforts.

As an AmeriCorps Position, the WARM VISTA member will build the organization's capacity by supporting fundraising, grant writing, partnership development, and board recruitment, while also assisting in the coordination of a summer mine reclamation field course. The member’s service will strengthen WARM’s expansion efforts, ensuring more students and professionals gain hands-on experience in reclamation and sustainability. This role is a unique opportunity to engage with industry experts, faculty, and students while advancing WARM’s mission of workforce development and environmental restoration.

The AmeriCorps VISTA member will build capacity and develop sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty in underserved communities.

Description of Duties:

• Grant Writing & Fundraising: Research funding opportunities, draft grant proposals, and assist in developing fundraising strategies to sustain and grow WARM’s programs.
• Partnership Development: Build relationships with academic institutions, industry professionals, nonprofits, and government agencies to expand WARM’s network and increase opportunities for student engagement.
• Program Coordination: Support planning and logistics for WARM’s summer mine reclamation field course, ensuring a successful experience for students and professionals.
• Outreach & Communications: Develop materials, manage digital content, and contribute to outreach efforts that highlight WARM’s mission and impact.
• Board & Organizational Development: Assist with board recruitment and engagement efforts, helping to strengthen governance and long-term sustainability.
• Capacity-Building Support: Research best practices for workforce training programs and contribute to the development of curriculum, toolkits, and other resources that enhance WARM’s mission.

This position requires strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Some evening, weekend, and occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Has received some college
• 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 5/05/25 to 5/04/26, 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
  • 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 at agilkerson@conservationlegacy.org

For site-related information, contact Dominique Naccarato at dnaccarato@western.edu

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.