Stewards VISTA: Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative

Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East

Site Location: 59 E Buckskin Rd

City, State or Full Address: Alma, CO 80420

Terms of Service:

Start Date: July 13, 2026

End Date: July 12, 2027

Must serve a 365-day (1 year) service term

Living Allowance: $68.39/day ($24,962.35/year)

Purpose:

The Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative (MRHI) is a grassroots nonprofit and an AmeriCorps Program based in Alma, Colorado—one of the highest incorporated towns in the United States, sitting at 10,500 feet in the rugged Mosquito Range just over the Continental Divide from Breckenridge. Since 2007, MRHI has worked to protect the rare and fragile high-elevation ecosystems of this region, which support unique alpine plant communities and serve as critical sources of clean drinking water and natural resources for local residents. As the only local conservation organization serving this remote community, MRHI plays an irreplaceable role in standing up for landscapes that face growing pressure from increased recreation, mineral development, and off-road vehicle use—guided by the values of grassroots conservation, community stewardship, and protecting wild places for the people who depend on them most.

The AmeriCorps VISTA member will serve with MRHI to help the organization build the partnerships, systems, and community connections it needs to grow and deepen its conservation impact across the Mosquito Range. In this AmeriCorps Position, the member will develop volunteer management systems, strengthen community engagement efforts, and build organizational capacity through program development and resource development planning that sets MRHI up for its next chapter of growth. By helping lay this foundation, the member will play a critical role in ensuring that one of Colorado’s most extraordinary—and most threatened—mountain landscapes has a strong local voice advocating for its protection for generations to come.

The AmeriCorps VISTA member will build capacity and develop sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty in underserved communities.

Description of Duties:

• Conservation Education: Develop educational curriculum for staff to coordinate nature science and other educational programs and field trips to deepen conservation and heritage knowledge, expand job/career opportunities.
• Fund Development: Research and prepare grants, create database, and develop content for staff to promote fun social & recreation fundraising events.
• Volunteer Engagement: Develop volunteer management systems such as recognition methods.
• Community Outreach: Develop an outreach plan for staff to boost MRHI visibility and participation through in-person events, partnerships, social media and newsletters.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 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
  • or choice of cash stipend of ~$1,800.00
• Living Allowance of $68.39 per day, disbursed every 2 weeks
• 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, agilkerson@conservationlegacy.org

For site related information, contact Cara Doyle, info@mrhi.org

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.