Schuylkill Headwaters Association
AmeriCorps OSMRE/VISTA
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Pottsville, PA
Job Description The OSMRE/VISTA will work to build the capacity of Schuylkill Headwaters Association (SHA), enabling their long-term stability and success. The OSMRE/VISTA will assist in the preparation and submission of grant proposals to secure future funding to support projects at the Silver Creek Environmental Education Trails and Recreation Park (SCEETR) and expand applied environmental curriculum offered to local students. The OSMRE/VISTA will assist SHA with environmental stewardship by increasing student awareness of local environmental impacts caused by Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) and the legacy of anthracite coal extraction in Schuylkill County, PA. The OSMRE/VISTA will lead both teacher and student tours of the passive AMD treatment system at Silver Creek and other water quality and conservation sites constructed and maintained by SHA to address the legacy of anthracite coal extraction. The OSMRE/VISTA will design, develop, and execute environmental and watershed-based curriculum in collaboration with local school teachers and educators at the SCEETR to develop more local conservation stewards. The OSMRE/VISTA will offer in-class presentations about SHA’s mission, conservation work, and opportunities for students to become more involved in local conservation through volunteer activities or service projects. The OSMRE/VISTA will also assist with planning annual activities such as the Bear Creek Festival, tree plantings, trash cleanups, and Schuylkill Acts & Impacts.
Qualifications Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree, good communication skills, and the ability to work in a changing environment. Qualities like initiative, flexibility, and organizational skills are preferred. Candidates must be able to work independently. Candidates must be available to serve full-time for at least one year.
Other Information VISTA members receive a modest, monthly living allowance to help cover the basic necessities. VISTA members who successfully complete a term of service are also eligible to receive either a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,550 to pay for college or to pay off student loans, or an end-of-service cash stipend of $1,500. Additional benefits include training, limited health care benefits, relocation expenses, student-loan forbearance or deferment and non-competitive eligibility for a federal government position. You may also be eligible for childcare assistance should you need it.
How to Apply For more information or directions on how to apply, please contact Alexa Kramer at outreach@schuylkillheadwaters.org or 570-640-8896. Also, you may visit these two websites for more information about AmeriCorps VISTA and the Appalachian Coal Country Team: http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-vista
http://www.osmrevista.org/
Appalachian Coal Country Team AmeriCorps OSMRE/VISTA
Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Schuylkill Action Network
Schuylkill Conservation District
Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited
Schuylkill River Heritage Area
Schuylkill VISION