Spend Your Summer Making a Difference: Active SWV is Hiring an AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate!
Are you looking for a meaningful way to spend your summer? Active Southern West Virginia has an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to give back to their community, build real-world skills, and be part of something bigger than themselves. We are now accepting applications for an AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate through Conservation Legacy’s Stewards Individual Placements program!
About the Position
Position Title: Active Southern West Virginia Volunteer Support – VISTA Summer Associate
Program: Conservation Legacy – Stewards Individual Placements
Location: 118 North Heber Street, Beckley, WV 25801
Start Date: June 1, 2026
End Date: August 9, 2026
Hours: Full-time, 35–40 hours per week (300-hour minimum commitment)
This is more than a summer job, it’s a chance to play a real role in improving health, wellness, and community connection across Southern West Virginia.
Why This Role Matters
At Active SWV, we believe that access to physical activity can change lives. When people move more, they reduce their risk of chronic health conditions, miss fewer days of work, and lower their healthcare costs. Our volunteer programs and mobile tools are key to expanding community access to physical activity, and the Summer Associate will support efforts to expand our volunteer base and optimize digital tool adoption.
Specifically, the Summer Associate will help us improve volunteer knowledge and skills with our mobile membership app, streamline our events calendar and communication systems, and ultimately increase the number of participants who can easily register for our programs. Your work will leave a lasting mark on this organization and this community long after the summer ends.
What You’ll Do
As a VISTA Summer Associate at Active SWV, you’ll focus on capacity-building work that strengthens our programs from the inside out. Your duties may include:
- Compiling labor market research summaries and developing workforce resource inventories
- Creating community asset maps and organizing environmental data sets
- Drafting partnership coordination frameworks, planning templates, and resource guides
- Assisting with public-facing informational workshops, outreach campaigns, and site observations
- Quality-checking program calendars, social media posts, and emails for accuracy
- Learning and assisting participants with our registration mobile app
- Transporting equipment to program locations
- Conducting interviews with volunteers and participants for storytelling and outreach purposes
Who We’re Looking For
You don’t need a long resume — you just need a willingness to serve and a passion for community. Applicants must:
- Be at least 17 years of age
- Hold a High School Diploma or equivalency certificate (or agree to obtain one prior to using the education award)
- Be a United States citizen, United States national, or lawful permanent resident alien
- Speak English
- Agree to complete a National Service Criminal History Check
- Have access to a car (recommended)
Benefits of Serving
AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates receive a strong package of support in return for their service:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,565.08 upon successful completion (can be used for college tuition, trade school, or federal student loan repayment)
- Living Allowance of $957.46 (taxable) every other week
- Healthcare Coverage if eligible
- Childcare Coverage if eligible
- Loan Forbearance if eligible
- Student Loan Interest Payments if eligible
- Recreational Opportunities
- Professional Development Opportunities
Members are also permitted to attend school or work another job during off-hours, making this a flexible option for students and early-career professionals alike.
A Track Record of Impact
AmeriCorps has been a cornerstone of Active SWV since our very first days as an organization in 2015. Some of our biggest accomplishments, including our Kids Run Club program, which now reaches over 2,000 youth every year, were built by VISTA members who dedicated themselves to this region. Our outgoing members consistently describe their service as one of the most transformative experiences of their lives. This summer, you could be next.
How to Apply
Ready to make your summer count? Apply through Conservation Legacy’s career portal HERE.
For questions, reach out to Active SWV Executive Director Melanie Seiler at melanie@activeswv.com.
Applications are being accepted now — don’t wait!