Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Rural Economy Diversification Coordinator-AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East
Site Location: Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC)
City, State or Full Address: Main St. Baker, MT 59313
Terms of Service:
Start Date: September 8, 2026
End Date: September 7, 2027
Must serve a 365-day (1 year) service term
Living Allowance: $68.39/day ($24,962.35/year)
Purpose:
This AmeriCorps Program at Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC) aims to strengthen economic resilience and long-term sustainability across rural communities in southeastern Montana by building systems that support strategic planning, investment, and workforce development. Serving five rural counties facing economic vulnerability tied to agriculture and energy dependence, geographic isolation, and limited workforce pipelines, the program is guided by values of collaboration, data-informed decision-making, and community-driven solutions.
This AmeriCorps Position supports EPEDC by developing and organizing datasets, planning frameworks, stakeholder engagement systems, and resource guides that enhance regional economic strategy and inform future updates to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. Through research, analysis, and systems development, the member strengthens the organization’s capacity to respond to community needs and expand economic opportunity. This service contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty by supporting more effective, coordinated investments and stable employment pathways across rural communities.
The AmeriCorps VISTA member will build capacity and develop sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty in underserved communities.
Description of Duties:
The VISTA will build internal systems and frameworks that strengthen EPEDC’s capacity to bolster energy transition & economic diversification across rural eastern Montana.
Activities include:
· Developing a regional energy transition and economic expansion framework
· Organizing centralized datasets related to workforce, industry, and energy trends
· Creating staff-ready planning tools that support long-term decision-making.
The VISTA will design a stakeholder engagement system that documents partners, priorities, and collaboration pathways producing resource guides and planning materials that identify funding research and development pathways. The VISTA will also develop an economic diversification roadmap with prioritized, implementation-ready projects and tools that inform future updates to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. All systems, tools, and documentation created will be used by EPEDC staff to guide planning and support long-term economic resilience.
Qualifications:
· United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
· Must be 18 years of age
· College graduate
· 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), 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
· Cell phone stipend ($60/month)
· 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, [email protected]
For site related information, contact Terra Burman, [email protected]
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.