Join the Preserve WV AmeriCorps Team!
Updated 12/19/2024 - Now Seeking Candidates for AmeriCorps one-year service terms to begin in January 2025 . Current opportunities include:
- Cockayne Farmstead, Glen Dale
- Rivers to Ridges Heritage Trail, Point Pleasant
- West Virginia Association of Museums, Morgantown
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Location: Glen Dale (Ohio County)
Do you love creating digital content that brings history to new audiences? The Cockayne Farmstead is a 19th century historic property owned and managed by the Marshall County Historical Society, a grassroots organization charged with preserving historic buildings and a vast collection of over 3500 19th and early 20th century artifacts. Join their team as the AmeriCorps Heritage Coordinator where you can make a positive impact on the local community by planning, expanding, and developing digital content for social media, YouTube, and websites that fits with the Farmstead’s mission to educate the next generation through telling the story of Marshall county’s past. The historic Cockayne Farmstead is a unique historic site unlike any other in Marshall County, West Virginia. The Farmstead consists of an historic, National Register listed farmhouse built ca. 1850, a prehistoric earthen mound, and a large collection of 19th Century family artifacts and documents spanning the Cockayne family’s residence from 1850-2001. The 1850 farmhouse has been described as “frozen in time,” with the last major renovation occurring around the turn of the 20th century. The exterior house has been restored, but the interior has been preserved in place. The Heritage Coordinator will serve at the Cockayne Farmstead for 35-40 hours per week. Generally, service will occur Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 am - 5 pm. Occasional evening and weekend service hours will be required due to special events. The main duties of the AmeriCorps Heritage Coordinator will include:
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Location: Point Pleasant (Mason County)
Rivers to Ridges Heritage Trail seeks a full-time AmeriCorps Heritage Coordinator to provide support to three primary coalition entities in Point Pleasant collaborating to enhance cultural heritage tourism and education activities in the lower Kanawha River Valley. Rivers to Ridges Heritage Trail is a regional nonprofit organization serving Mason, Putnam, and western Kanawha Counties. Their mission is to enhance and promote economic activities, through technical and financial assistance for the development of a tourism corridor which follows the Kanawha River from Nitro, WV to Point Pleasant, WV. The AmeriCorps Heritage Coordinator will serve 35-40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend and evening service hours for special events and meetings. The primary service location will be the Main Street Point Pleasant office, however, some travel will be required within the 3 counties for service activities. Additionally, some on-site service will be required at the West Virginia State Farm Museum, also located in Point Pleasant. The main responsibilities of this service opportunity will be to:
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West Virginia Association of Museums
Location: Morgantown (Monongalia County)
The West Virginia Association of Museums (WVAM) is seeking a half-time Preserve WV AmeriCorps member to increase its public presence and achieve its organization goals. As the foremost statewide nonprofit dedicated to preserving the story and soul of the Mountain State, WVAM’s mission is to serve, educate, advocate for, and enhance communications within the museum community. WVAM is an all-volunteer organization that carries out its mission by listening to its members, serving their interests, and keeping members informed of current standards and activities on a national scale.
The AmeriCorps member will serve 15-20 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with some evening and weekend commitments. The main responsibilities for this service opportunity will be to:
The West Virginia Association of Museums (WVAM) is seeking a half-time Preserve WV AmeriCorps member to increase its public presence and achieve its organization goals. As the foremost statewide nonprofit dedicated to preserving the story and soul of the Mountain State, WVAM’s mission is to serve, educate, advocate for, and enhance communications within the museum community. WVAM is an all-volunteer organization that carries out its mission by listening to its members, serving their interests, and keeping members informed of current standards and activities on a national scale.
The AmeriCorps member will serve 15-20 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with some evening and weekend commitments. The main responsibilities for this service opportunity will be to:
- Plan and execute WVAM in-person and virtual learning opportunities on various topics relating to museums and related cultural resources
- Assist with planning executing WVAM’s annual conference
- Assist with managing WVAM membership and public outreach to West Virginia museums and related cultural institutions
- Assist with writing content for and publishing WVAM newsletters and email blasts
- Help to manage WVAM social media and website
AMERICORPS REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO SERVICE
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AMERICORPS SERVICE EXPECTATIONS
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AMERICORPS MEMBER BENEFITS
- STIPEND: AmeriCorps members receive an annual stipend that is disbursed on a bi-monthly payment schedule over the course of the year. The amount of the stipend is based on the type of service slot.
- Full-time (35-40 hours/week) - $22,000 annual stipend
- Half-time members (15-20 hours/week) - $11,000 annual stipend - EDUCATION AWARD: AmeriCorps members will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon the successful completion of their term of service. The educational award can be used for tuition at most colleges, technical, and vocational schools, or for the repayment of qualified, federal student loans. Members 55 or older may choose to transfer their award to a child, stepchild, or grandchild. AmeriCorps members can receive educational awards for the equivalent of 2 full-time service terms. The value of the educational award for the upcoming term is:
- Full-time - $7,395.00
- Half-time - $3,697.50 - AUTOMATIC STUDENT LOAN DEFERMENT & INTEREST PAID: Members’ qualified student loans can be deferred during AmeriCorps service, with the accumulated loan interest paid by AmeriCorps at the end of the deferred period.
- WV UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE TUITION & FEE WAIVER: For every 600 hours of service, AmeriCorps members will receive a waiver for one semester’s tuition and fees to undergraduate or graduate programs at public colleges and universities in West Virginia. AmeriCorps members are eligible for up to 8 semesters of tuition waivers, meaning that after you have accepted every other form of financial aid available to you (not including loans and work study), the WV AmeriCorps Tuition Waiver can be applied to cover your remaining balance of tuition and fees. You are not required to accept offers of student loans or work study assistance before applying the tuition waiver.
- HEALTH INSURANCE: Group health insurance is available for full-time members who do not have health insurance or do not qualify for Medicaid.
- CHILDCARE SUBSIDY: Full-time AmeriCorps members have the option to apply for childcare coverage provided by AmeriCorps
SKILLS SUGGESTED FOR THIS PROGRAM
- Demonstrable historical research abilities
- Good written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking
- Good organizational skills, required to work on multiple tasks for event coordination and volunteer management purposes
- Comfortable working with different types of people
- Responsible and able to be self-directed and take the initiative
- Experience with historical resources, public history, or historic preservation (or ability to prove you can learn)
- Some leadership experience
- Computer experience: online research, email, Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Google Drive, and social media
- Must be willing and able to travel statewide for various trainings and for service at some sites
HOW TO APPLY
1.) Send a written cover letter and your resume with contact information for two professional references to AmeriCorps program director at [email protected].
The cover letter should directly reference the description of the position the applicant is applying to and speak to how the applicant's interests, experience, and career goals are a good match for that particular service opportunity. Position descriptions for all available service opportunities can be found below. If interested, applicants may use the cover letter to apply for more than one position.
2.) Submit an AmeriCorps application under the "Preserve WV AmeriCorps" listing. You will need to create an account to submit this application. For problems creating and submitting an application, contact the National Service hotline at 1-800-942-2677.
1.) Send a written cover letter and your resume with contact information for two professional references to AmeriCorps program director at [email protected].
The cover letter should directly reference the description of the position the applicant is applying to and speak to how the applicant's interests, experience, and career goals are a good match for that particular service opportunity. Position descriptions for all available service opportunities can be found below. If interested, applicants may use the cover letter to apply for more than one position.
2.) Submit an AmeriCorps application under the "Preserve WV AmeriCorps" listing. You will need to create an account to submit this application. For problems creating and submitting an application, contact the National Service hotline at 1-800-942-2677.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION?
If an applicant looks like a good fit for the Preserve WV program, program staff will reach out via email to set up a “get to know you” phone interview. After this initial phone interview, program staff will then pass along all application materials to the site supervisors of the individual service opportunities the applicant expressed interest in.
If a supervisor believes an applicant is a good candidate for their site, the supervisor will reach out to set up an additional interview (either by phone, Skype, or in person).
n order to be selected to serve at a site, you will need to be approved both by the program staff and the site supervisor.
Following your interviews, completion of all application paperwork, and the checking of your references (from the MyAmeriCorps application form), program staff will make offers to selected candidates on a rolling basis. The program may be able to hold your offer open for a limited time if you are considering multiple options; please let program staff know if you have time constraints. Service opportunities will be filled on an ongoing basis throughout the summer (and, if necessary, the fall) until none remain open.
If you are accepted into the program, program staff will then let you know other steps required for enrollment (such as background checks and paperwork) and can (if necessary) provide helpful information for relocating.
If an applicant looks like a good fit for the Preserve WV program, program staff will reach out via email to set up a “get to know you” phone interview. After this initial phone interview, program staff will then pass along all application materials to the site supervisors of the individual service opportunities the applicant expressed interest in.
If a supervisor believes an applicant is a good candidate for their site, the supervisor will reach out to set up an additional interview (either by phone, Skype, or in person).
n order to be selected to serve at a site, you will need to be approved both by the program staff and the site supervisor.
Following your interviews, completion of all application paperwork, and the checking of your references (from the MyAmeriCorps application form), program staff will make offers to selected candidates on a rolling basis. The program may be able to hold your offer open for a limited time if you are considering multiple options; please let program staff know if you have time constraints. Service opportunities will be filled on an ongoing basis throughout the summer (and, if necessary, the fall) until none remain open.
If you are accepted into the program, program staff will then let you know other steps required for enrollment (such as background checks and paperwork) and can (if necessary) provide helpful information for relocating.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY NOTICE
Participation in the Preserve WV AmeriCorps (or any other CNCS) program is based on merit and equal opportunity for all, without regard to factors such as race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, political affiliation, marital or parental status, military service, or religious, community, or social affiliations. You have a right to reasonable accommodation for disabilities. Programs must furnish reasonable accommodations for the known physical and mental limitations of qualified AmeriCorps members.
If you believe your rights have been violated, you may report such violations to the directors of your program of whom must establish and maintain a procedure for filing and adjudicating certain grievances. You may also file discrimination-related grievances with the Equal Opportunity Counselor of AmeriCorps at (202) 606-5000, ext. 312 (voice), or 1 (800) 942-2677.
Participation in the Preserve WV AmeriCorps (or any other CNCS) program is based on merit and equal opportunity for all, without regard to factors such as race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, political affiliation, marital or parental status, military service, or religious, community, or social affiliations. You have a right to reasonable accommodation for disabilities. Programs must furnish reasonable accommodations for the known physical and mental limitations of qualified AmeriCorps members.
If you believe your rights have been violated, you may report such violations to the directors of your program of whom must establish and maintain a procedure for filing and adjudicating certain grievances. You may also file discrimination-related grievances with the Equal Opportunity Counselor of AmeriCorps at (202) 606-5000, ext. 312 (voice), or 1 (800) 942-2677.
