Conservation Legacy
Energy Communities VISTA: Solar Projects Coordinator - Appalachian Voices Norton
Conservation Legacy, Norton, Virginia, United States, 24273
The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia is bringing solar to the coalfields as a social and economic catalyst to the region while ensuring an equitable role in the national clean energy transition.
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 November 2024 and ends in November 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).
About the Site and Position:Founded in 1997, Appalachian Voices works in Central and Southern Appalachia to bring people together to protect the land, air and water and advance a just transition to a generative and equitable clean energy economy. The New Economy for Appalachia program focuses on the key principles of community engagement, economic diversification, land restoration and growing the clean energy sector. Working with Appalachian Voices and the Workgroup provides a first-hand view of the challenges faced by low-income and energy communities while participating in the community-focused work revitalizing Central Appalachian coal communities. Between 2015 and 2020, 1,078 jobs were lost in mining industries, a 25% decline. Virginia's coalfield counties have an average per capita income of $20,913 and a 21.84% poverty rate, compared to the national 14.1%. Each county ranks as “disadvantaged” in the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. Four are categorized as "distressed," two are "at-risk," and one is "transitional," per the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Economic Status and Distressed Areas map. This VISTA will provide meaningful capacity to the Solar Workgroup to further engage energy communities. This includes providing educational material and events on clean energy to community members, working to inform the next generation of energy workers, and developing new resources for the region. This ensures community members have a say in and benefit from the energy transition, including having opportunities to develop good-paying and lasting jobs in the clean energy industry.
Member Duties:The VISTA will serve with the Solar Workgroup and Appalachian Voices to:
identify and apply for solar and energy efficiency grant/prize funding;
develop and implement solar energy and energy resilience education and outreach plans including tabling at local festivals and student education events;
coordinate Workgroup public events, meetings and celebrations;
serve directly with under-resourced communities on clean energy planning and benefits;
and develop education materials, including flyers, webpages, presentations, videos, blogs, newsletters and social media posts.
One specific major project for the VISTA will be planning for and conducting a solar celebration or festival in the Summer of 2025 to include local communities, solar developers, educational institutions, local nonprofits, and other community stakeholders.
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:
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
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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 November 2024 and ends in November 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).
About the Site and Position:Founded in 1997, Appalachian Voices works in Central and Southern Appalachia to bring people together to protect the land, air and water and advance a just transition to a generative and equitable clean energy economy. The New Economy for Appalachia program focuses on the key principles of community engagement, economic diversification, land restoration and growing the clean energy sector. Working with Appalachian Voices and the Workgroup provides a first-hand view of the challenges faced by low-income and energy communities while participating in the community-focused work revitalizing Central Appalachian coal communities. Between 2015 and 2020, 1,078 jobs were lost in mining industries, a 25% decline. Virginia's coalfield counties have an average per capita income of $20,913 and a 21.84% poverty rate, compared to the national 14.1%. Each county ranks as “disadvantaged” in the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. Four are categorized as "distressed," two are "at-risk," and one is "transitional," per the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Economic Status and Distressed Areas map. This VISTA will provide meaningful capacity to the Solar Workgroup to further engage energy communities. This includes providing educational material and events on clean energy to community members, working to inform the next generation of energy workers, and developing new resources for the region. This ensures community members have a say in and benefit from the energy transition, including having opportunities to develop good-paying and lasting jobs in the clean energy industry.
Member Duties:The VISTA will serve with the Solar Workgroup and Appalachian Voices to:
identify and apply for solar and energy efficiency grant/prize funding;
develop and implement solar energy and energy resilience education and outreach plans including tabling at local festivals and student education events;
coordinate Workgroup public events, meetings and celebrations;
serve directly with under-resourced communities on clean energy planning and benefits;
and develop education materials, including flyers, webpages, presentations, videos, blogs, newsletters and social media posts.
One specific major project for the VISTA will be planning for and conducting a solar celebration or festival in the Summer of 2025 to include local communities, solar developers, educational institutions, local nonprofits, and other community stakeholders.
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:
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
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