Build Connections and Help Protect Our Great River Resources!
AmeriCorps Stewardship & Community Outreach Assistant at Missouri River Relief will work to increase capacity within the organization to strengthen the connections between Missouri River Relief and the communities it serves through outreach and engagement with existing and new volunteer groups.
The position’s goal is to develop unique strategies aimed at deepening the communities understanding and appreciation of the Missouri River through education and hands-on stewardship through assisting with the organization, implementation and marketing of small and large-scale cleanup programs along the Lower Missouri River and its watershed.
Click here to download the complete job description.
- Status: One Year Term/AmeriCorps VISTA/Full-Time
- Start Date: April 12, 2021
- End Date: April 11, 2022
- Location: Columbia, Missouri
- Application Deadline: February 12, 2021
How to Apply to the AmeriCorps Position
The application process for this position has closed. Thank you for your consideration.
You can click here to take you directly to the position. If that link does not work for you, follow the instructions below to find the job opportunity. The Listing ID for this position is 101029
- Search AmeriCorps listing. Go to https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/publicRequestSearch.do
- Search by the following. Program Type: AmeriCorps.VISTA State: Missouri. Program Name: Missouri River Relief
- Click "Apply Now" and create a profile to submit your application
- Interview. If you are selected for an interview you will be contacted by February 12th.
Note* The VISTA Application website currently states that the application deadline is 3/12/2021, however, the application deadline is Feb. 12, 2021
Benefits of Service
Living Allowance
- Receive a modest bi-weekly (full 14 days of service) living allowance ($513.94) to cover basic expenses.
- The amount listed may differ from what members see in their paychecks because a) the rates listed here are gross/pre-tax amounts; and b) actual payment may vary to reflect the number of days served in a pay period.
- $5,000 Housing Assistance Grant
End Of Service Award
- Choose between a Segal Education Award (valued at approximately $6,000) to pay for a range of education expenses or a $1,800 cash stipend.
- During service, you may defer student loans until the end of the service year. Interest accrued during service will be paid by the National Service Trust upon completion of service.
Professional Development Training
- Attend in-person and virtual training where you learn how to be a community development change agent.
Join A Community
- Join an AmeriCorps umbrella and meet other like-minded individuals living and working in your community.
Leave
- You are entitled to personal leave, medical leave, and leave for certain holidays (those recognized by your sponsor.) Family leave and emergency leave are also available in certain situations. Military service and jury duty can also necessitate a leave of absence, both of which are covered.
Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE)
- Americorps VISTA is the only AmeriCorps program where you can earn federal non-competitive eligibility, giving you an edge in the federal hiring process. NCE status lasts for 12 months following service.
Other Benefits
- Other benefits may include a relocation allowance for moving for service, childcare assistance, mileage reimbursement for service-related travel, and health care options.
Click here to take a more in-depth view of the Benefits of Service
Words of Wisdom to The Next AmeriCorps Position
Missouri River Relief hosts an additional AmeriCorps VISTA position aimed at making a lasting impact on the next generation of river stewards through education. Each year we ask our Education Assistant to reflect on their experience and share a few words of wisdom to the next. Although this AmeriCorps position is geared towards stewardship and community building, we encourage you to check out their experiences from their time at Missouri River Relief. Please note that these experiences are from our AmeriCorps Education Assistants and previous river education interns serving our organization. We look forward to adding your experience.
Job Description
AmeriCorps: Stewardship & Community Outreach Position Purpose:
Missouri River Relief is a non-profit dedicated to connecting people to the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska to St. Louis, Missouri. We do this through three avenues: Missouri River cleanups, education programs, and outreach events. This position will work directly with the Missouri River Cleanup Programs, working to increase capacity within the organization to strengthen the connections between Missouri River Relief and the communities it serves through outreach and engagement with existing and new volunteer groups.
The position’s goal is to develop unique strategies aimed at deepening the communities understanding and appreciation of the Missouri River through education and hands-on stewardship through assisting with the organization, implementation and marketing of small and large-scale cleanup programs along the Lower Missouri River and its watershed.
AmeriCorps: Stewardship & Community Outreach Assistant Eligibility Requirements:
- Be 18 years or older (no upper age limit)
- Pass a national service criminal history check
- Hold a valid driver’s license and proof of mandated state automobile insurance
- Hold one of the following citizenship or legal residency statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. Green Card status), and persons legally residing within a state. Examples of persons legally residing within a state may include those holding the following classifications: refugee, asylee, temporary protected status throughout service, and holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
- Preference will be given to candidates who can meet 40 hours a week M-F to promote collaboration
AmeriCorps: Stewardship & Community Outreach Position Responsibilities:
65% River Cleanup Program Development
- Assists with the development and implementation of large-scale river cleanup programs including outreach and fundraising efforts.
- Assist with grant research, writing and fundraising to build program capacity.
- Identify and engage partners that serve low-income families and individuals.
- Coordinate with the education staff to develop and promote educational material designed to encourage plastic free solutions to real-world problems.
- Develop a small-scale river cleanup model for low-order streams and waterways affecting higher-order water quality.
30% Volunteer Outreach and Development
- Expand our current database of civic and corporate volunteer groups.
- Build upon and expand our core volunteer base including outreach and recruitment efforts.
- Revise, create and implement new training materials and classes to engage and enhance volunteers while creating rewarding traditions to incentivize and retain members.
- Coordinate with the organization’s volunteer base to develop innovative ways to deepen the volunteer experience including training materials, guides and classes to engage volunteers.
- Work to create a pipeline for retaining and recruiting volunteers from river cleanup programs and transition them to long-term reliable volunteer crew members.
- Assist in creating a marketing plan to emphasize volunteer opportunities and manage social media outreach to volunteers.
5% “One MRR” Responsibilities: engage and collaborate across program areas when possible
- Contribute to an inclusive work community by using sensitivity to bring cultural relevance to the workplace and relationships with co-workers.
- Cultivate a culture of risk management throughout all programs.
- Proactively share the mission and program structure with external stakeholders.
Knowledge & Skills
The Stewardship & Community Outreach Assistant must possess knowledge and skills which may result from formal education or experience in event planning and volunteer management. To perform effectively in this position, the individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Intentional Culture: Commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural relevance within your teaching and community.
- Strategic planning: Demonstrate the ability to organize and implement programs while effectively utilizing organizational resources including volunteers and equipment.
- Communicative: Demonstrate the ability to engage with and inspire civic, corporate and family groups from all backgrounds before and during stewardship programs.
- Technology: Ability to use common computer programs including Microsoft Office, website tools and social media
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
The AmeriCorps VISTA must have the ability to:
- Travel across the lower section of the Missouri River Valley; this could include a variety of cities such as Omaha, NE, Columbia, MO, Kansas City, MO and St. Louis, MO.
- Possess a valid US driver’s license.
- Stand, walk, bend, stoop, and reach for extended periods of time.
- Ability to work occasional weekends.
- Lift and carry up to 30lbs. (i.e. load, unload and move supplies, assist in river cleanup programs transporting large items).
- Work outdoors in all weather conditions (i.e. in temperatures over 100oF, as well as rain and other inclement weather conditions as needed).
This job description is not meant to state or imply that these are the only duties performed by the AmeriCorps VISTA occupying this position. AmeriCorps will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with federal and state laws.
AmeriCorps is a Federal assistance provider. The mission of AmeriCorps is to strengthen organizations that alleviate poverty through volunteering and the mobilization of resources.
Equal Employment Opportunity: Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at Missouri River Relief. Missouri River Relief does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or programs.
If you have questions, feel free to contact Kevin Tosie at 314.698.6069 or kevin@riverrelief.org
