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Education & Stewardship AmeriCorps VISTA

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Posted 01/29/2026
County Johnson
Location Oxford, Iowa
Salary Gross Annual Living Allowance (Pre-Tax) - $24,962

Description

Johnson County Conservation provides no-cost education programs to thousands of youth and hundreds of adults each year through immersive field trips, public events, festivals, summer camps, wilderness treks, and community partnerships. The Education & Stewardship VISTA will assist in expanding our education outreach with community partner groups serving low-income youth and families, engage volunteers, develop digital educational resources to increase accessibility, and write high-quality education curriculum. The Education & Stewardship VISTA will work alongside passionate, experienced nature educators to expand our current service offerings, increasing accessibility and engaging low-income youth and families through high-quality nature-based experiential education. The VISTA will serve as a part of Volunteer Iowa's program. Volunteer Iowa is a state agency whose mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. VISTA members with our program have the benefit of a statewide support network of staff, Commissioners, National Service Programs, fellow AmeriCorps members and a VISTA Leader. Members receive ongoing training, support, networking and professional development opportunities through Volunteer Iowa.  

Anticipated service schedule:

This is a full-time, temporary position. Hours are typically 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, except for any holidays or office closures. Some weekend and evening hours will also be required. Most service will be done at Kent Park, or other Johnson County Conservation operations centers or properties. This position starts on April 6, 2026 and ends on April 5, 2027

Member Duties:

Partnerships & Outreach: Support the development of new program partnerships and outreach, including an after-school program with Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County (NCJC), on-site programing at Global Food Project at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm, and others community partner organizations.  

Education & Learning Tools: Develop digital media tools to increase accessibility to nature-based education and promote community understanding of JCC’s sites, services, and natural resources. Develop new program curriculum, partnerships, and an evaluation tool for the Teen Outdoor Youth Corps.

Volunteer Program Support: Expand Johnson County Conservation volunteer support systems, events, and outreach. Develop partnerships with staff liaisons at local colleges and universities to engage a new volunteer demographic. Facilitate new or expanded volunteer stewardship events, such as invasive species removal and prairie seed harvests.

 

Member Benefits:

  • Health Benefits Program
  • End of Service Benefits (Members must choose either the $7,395 Education Award or the alternative, the end-of-service cash stipend of $1,800 prior to their start of service)
  • Childcare benefits for those eligible
  • Student Loan Forbearance depending on type of loan
  • Leave- Ten days of personal leave and ten days of medical leave are available during the year of service. Each can be used with the approval of the Host Site supervisor. Additionally, there are 5 emergency leave days that can be provided with the approval of Volunteer Iowa
  • Training & Professional Development
  • *Non-Competitive Eligibility - After completing service, non-competitive eligibility allows an AmeriCorps VISTA member who meets the minimum qualifications for a federal job to be hired by a federal agency without having to compete with the general public.

*this benefit is on pause and current members are not eligible at this time

Qualifications

College graduate Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident Must have a valid Iowa driver's license. Experience in environmental education or studying environmental education or other c

To Apply

Please submit an online application and send in the following items below: • Cover letter • Resume Send to: MWiegand@johnsoncountyiowa.gov Online application: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=126143