Stewards VISTA: USFS - Mancos Conservation District

Conservation Districts began in the 1930’s as a result of soil erosion during the Dust Bowl but have evolved into a unit of local government that utilizes a variety of resources to work toward solutions to today’s natural resource problems, ranging from soil and water conservation to water quality and conservation, flood control, wildlife habitat and forest management. The Mancos Conservation District supports rural landowners by providing information, technical and engineering support and access to government cost- sharing programs. The Mancos Conservation District works on a variety of conservation issues ranging from improving water distribution and on-farm irrigation systems, noxious weed control, water quality monitoring and riparian restoration, and rehabilitation of disturbed areas. The Mancos Conservation District has been collecting water quality data for the Mancos River and its tributaries, and the district is beginning to analyze and summarize the data collected as a part of the Mancos Watershed Water Quality Monitoring and Restoration Project. This important work will provide the district, local community and CDPHE valuable information about the current and historical quality of the Mancos River in order to support continued monitoring and restoration activities that will benefit the Mancos Community who relies on the water from the watershed for everything from municipal use such as drinking and showering, to recreation, ecosystems and agricultural uses.

Member Duties:

• Create educational and outreach materials for the Mancos Community around water quality importance and measurement, and how the community can impact water quality. Outreach materials will include social media campaigns, brochures, websites and curriculum.

• Design and implement community engagement activities, such as events, presentations and workshops, in addition to supporting the creation of an Urban Water Conservation Plan.

• Support program capacity building by recruiting 5 new volunteers for the Mancos Conservation Districts River Watch program.

• Assist in the preparation and submission of grant proposals to secure future funding to the Mancos Conservation District and the Mancos Watershed Water Quality Monitoring and Restoration Project.

• Develop and run a quarterly podcast on environmental issues in the region.

• Grant writing, tracking, and reporting.

• Complete water sample collection and field work.

Recommended Skills:

• Conflict Resolution
• Fund raising/Grant Writing
• Communications
• Public Speaking
• General Skills
• Leadership
• Writing/Editing
• Teamwork
• Education
• Community Organization
• Computers/Technology
• Teaching/Tutoring
• Environment
• Recruitment

Service Areas:

• Education
• Children/Youth
• Community and Economic Development
• Community Outreach
• Environment

Program Benefits:

• Segal Education Award ($6,895) OR Cash Stipend (~$1,800) upon successful completion of service
• Living Allowance ($62.69/day, disbursed every 2 weeks)
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Relocation Allowance
• Reduced Cost Housing
• Regular Training and Professional Development Opportunities (free and virtual)
• Employee Wellness Program (access to a licensed, professional counselor and 24/7 in-moment support)
• Childcare*
• Healthcare*
• Non-Competitive Eligibility upon successful completion of the term*
• Networking and Mentorship
• Access to a nationwide cohort of like-minded peers.

• For more information regarding the Segal Education Award, check out this link as well as alternative uses for the award here.

• For more information regarding the AmeriCorps VISTA Childcare benefit, please visit https://americorpschildcare.com/.

• For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit http://www.vistacampus.gov/healthcare.

• For details about Non-Competitive Eligibility, please visit https://my.americorps.gov/trust/help/member_portal/non_competitive_eligibility_overview.htm.

APPLY HERE: My AmeriCorps - Home Page

For more information, please contact Addie Gilkerson (she/her) at agilkerson@conservationlegacy.org

Stewards Individual Placements does not and will not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application, interviewing, and/or onboarding process, please send your request to the hiring manager in your preferred method of communication.