DOI Vista Position Available

Date: December 23, 2013
Contact: Robin Snyder, 304-640-0724

Glen Jean, WV, December 23, 2013–The National Park Service is currently recruiting for a VISTA position that will develop programming for Camp Brookside, a residential youth camp located near Hinton, WV. Duties of this position include writing grants, meeting with community stakeholders to collect program ideas and promote partnerships, and developing programs for youth employment, education, and volunteer outreach.    

New River Gorge National River was designated as a unit of the National Park Service in 1978 protecting 53 miles of one of the oldest rivers in the world. The park protects 72,808 acres along the New River from the Bluestone Dam to the Hawk's Nest Lake. Here in southern West Virginia, the New River carved the deepest and longest river gorge in the Appalachian Mountains. In addition to the abundance of natural, scenic, and recreational offerings in the is National Park Service unit, the park also provides a glimpse into the unique cultural history of the New River Gorge including coal mining and railroad history. Education is a primary focus for park staff that regularly provides curriculum-based education programs to schools in five neighboring counties. Education, community engagement and youth programs are critical in protecting park resources and encouraging stewardship of these public lands.

The OSM/VISTA Teams assists rural mining communities in Appalachia and the Rocky Mountains by building capacity for local organizations and governments that are working towards healthy futures, economic development, and environmental stewardship in our ten state service area (PA, OH, MD, WV, VA, KY, TN, CO and NM). The OSM/VISTA Teams is maintained by a unique partnership between the Office of Surface Mining (DOI) and AmeriCorps VISTA that enables the teams to place determined, college-trained, men and women in rural mining communities for a year of national service. Since 2002, the Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) has consistently placed OSM/VISTA's in the most rural and impoverished communities in Appalachia, serving rural people in need by working directly with community members and organizations. In 2007, the Western Hardrock Watershed Team was created to emulate the success of the Appalachian Coal Country Team. The DOI/VISTA program is modeled after these Teams and will be managed through the Appalachian Coal Country Team's Beckley Support Office. To learn more about these innovative teams, visit www.coalcountryteam.org or www.hardrockteam.org.

New River Gorge National River is proud to announce its partnership with the ACCT. Through this partnership the ACCT is providing a yearlong VISTA position in the park to research grant opportunities, engage partner and community groups, and to develop programs for the park's new residential youth camp, Camp Brookside. Construction on the site will be completed in the spring of 2014, and this position will work with the management team at the park to develop the plan of operation for Camp Brookside including a summer, residential youth employment program and year-round educational opportunities for local community groups.     

This position is not a staff position and does not include a salary; rather it provides a living allowance less than $1,000 a month. It includes health insurance, child care assistance, and an education award valued at or $5,550 or a cash stipend of $1,500 at the end of service. Candidates relocating more than 50 miles for service are eligible for $550 relocation/settling in allowance. The park has affordable housing available. The position will begin in February 2014 and includes a one year commitment to the position.

Goals

The goal for this position is to build capacity for New River Gorge National River to promote economic opportunities for the community, foster environmental stewardship, and plan outreach and education opportunities at Camp Brookside. Additionally, the candidate will:

• Meet with stakeholders to gather ideas about educational programming at the camp.
• Research and write grants to obtain funding to sponsor a pilot youth program session in 2014.
• Collaborate with partners to create an outline for programming at Camp Brookside in 2014 - 2015. 

Tasks

The tasks associated with this project include, but is not limited to:

• Grant writing and fundraising
• Public speaking
• Strengthen existing partnerships, foster new partnerships
• Community Development

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Strong writing skills, public speaking, and computer literacy
• Experience in grant writing and fundraising is preferred
• Experience working with partners, community groups, and in volunteer recruitment

HOW TO APPLY

All interested candidates will need to apply through AmeriCorps at: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=52958&fromSearch=true

Please contact Robin Snyder at 304-640-0724 if you are interested in this position. Selections will be made by January 3^rd, so contact her immediately to learn more about this opportunity.

Park updates will be posted to the park's website at www.nps.gov/neri. You can also find updates on the park's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/newrivergorgenps or follow us on Twitter at https://Twitter.com/NewRiverNPS.