Arts Based Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description
Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Arts & Resilience Systems Coordinator -AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East
Site Location: What's Next Eastern Kentucky (Brushy Fork Institute)
City, State or Full Address: 2164 Berea Byp. Berea, KY 40403
Terms of Service:
Start Date: September 8, 2026
End Date: September 7, 2027
Must serve a 365-day (1 year) service term
Living Allowance: $68.39/day ($24,962.35/year)
Purpose:
This AmeriCorps Program with What's Next Eastern Kentucky, an initiative of the Brushy Fork Leadership Institute, aims to strengthen community vitality, economic opportunity, and local leadership across Appalachian Kentucky by supporting locally driven responses to economic transition, disaster recovery, and population loss. Serving rural communities facing persistent poverty and increased vulnerability to natural disasters, the program is guided by values of collaboration, practical problem-solving, and community-driven solutions that support long-term resilience and recovery.
This AmeriCorps Position supports the development of CAReNet, the Community Arts and Resilience Network, by building systems, partnerships, and resources that connect artists, cultural workers, and community organizations to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The member will assist with coordination, facilitation, resource development, and partnership building to strengthen a regional network that supports community-led recovery. This service contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty by improving access to resources, strengthening collaboration, and supporting economic resilience in rural communities.
The AmeriCorps VISTA member will build capacity and develop sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty in underserved communities.
Description of Duties:
The VISTA will build internal systems and planning resources that strengthen the Community Arts and Resilience Network implemented by What's Next Eastern Kentucky.
Activities include:
• Developing regional asset mapping tools that document artists and partner organizations;
• Creating communication and engagement frameworks that support coordinated network development; organizing resource guides and funding research materials that inform sustainability planning;
• Producing documentation systems that capture models and case studies of arts-based disaster response. The VISTA will also develop tools such as an artist disaster readiness framework and structured network resources for staff use.
All systems, tools, and documentation developed by the VISTA will be used by staff and partners to guide planning, strengthen collaboration, and support long-term resilience beyond the VISTA service term.
Qualifications:
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• "Must be 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
o 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 Lydia Kitts, kittsl@berea.edu
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.