Stewards VISTA: Floyd County Flood Relief-AmeriCorps

Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Floyd County Flood Relief-AmeriCorps

jobshiringnearme.org Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East

Site Location: Prestonsburg, KY

City, State or Full Address: 149 S Central Ave, Prestonsburg, KY 41653

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 06/02/25
• End Date: 06/01/26
• 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:

This AmeriCorps program supports the revitalization of rural communities impacted by the decline of the coal industry and natural disasters, with a focus on building long-term resilience, economic opportunity, and food security in underserved areas. Serving in Floyd County, Kentucky—a region rich in culture and natural beauty but facing persistent poverty and disaster recovery challenges—the program is rooted in the values of community empowerment, environmental stewardship, and sustainable rural development. This AmeriCorps position will support efforts to repurpose FEMA buyout land in flood-impacted former coal towns, helping to transform blighted areas into assets that serve the public good and spark economic renewal.

As an AmeriCorps position, the Flood Relief VISTA will lead community engagement and planning efforts in the former coal camps of Garrett and Wayland. The member will work with residents, local partners, and officials to gather input and develop reuse plans for land impacted by the 2022 floods—focusing on innovative solutions such as community gardens, floodable food forests, and tourism-friendly features like a bicycle pump track. This service will build the foundation for long-term redevelopment while advancing community-driven solutions to food insecurity, blight, and economic instability in one of Appalachia’s most resilient counties.

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

Description of Duties:

As an AmeriCorps member serving with Floyd County in eastern Kentucky, you will help lead local recovery and revitalization efforts in former coal towns impacted by the 2022 floods. This position is ideal for someone who wants to make a tangible difference in rural community development while gaining hands-on experience in public engagement, planning, and sustainable land use.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Community Engagement: Organize and lead meetings, surveys, and outreach activities to gather input from residents, local leaders, and organizations about how best to repurpose FEMA buyout land in the towns of Garrett and Wayland.
• Research and Planning: Work with county staff and community partners to explore potential land reuse strategies—such as floodable food forests, community gardens, recreation spaces, and tourism infrastructure—and help draft practical and creative land-use plans.
• Mapping and Documentation: Support the creation of maps, site descriptions, and visual materials to communicate redevelopment ideas and options to stakeholders and funders.
• Partnership Building: Connect with local nonprofits, regional agencies, and state and federal contacts to support planning and prepare for future funding opportunities.
• Foundations for Long-Term Success: Lay the groundwork for Years 2 and 3 of this project by documenting community input, identifying potential funding sources, and helping to recruit future volunteers and partners who will carry these plans forward.

Qualifications:

o    United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien

o    At least 18 years of age

o    Has received a four-year college degree

o    Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check

Physical Requirements:

jobshiringnearme.org 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 6/02/25 to 6/01/26, 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 at agilkerson@conservationlegacy.org

For site-related information, contact Missy Allen at missy.allen@floydjudge.com 

PLEASE APPLY USING THIS LINK: My AmeriCorps – Home Page

jobshiringnearme.org 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.