PRN is excited to announce that we have been selected to host an Energy Community AmeriCorps VISTA Member. You can apply for our position here.
Our “Energy Transition AmeriCorps VISTA” will support our work in helping Illinois energy communities clean up legacy pollution from Abandoned Mine Lands and navigate new clean energy opportunities. They will create and share educational materials, collaborate with local organizations, and engage community leaders to raise awareness and mobilize support for reclamation and clean energy initiatives.
The application to be an AmeriCorps VISTA with Prairie Rivers Network is open now!
Through this new program, AmeriCorps VISTA members are being placed in energy communities across the country to support local priorities, including economic development, energy transition, and environmental remediation. VISTA stands for “Volunteers in Service to America”, although this opportunity is compensated as described in the bullet points below.
The Illinois Coal Basin (the coal-producing region of Illinois, Southwestern Indiana and Western Kentucky) is one of nine areas in the country that is targeted for this program, and AmeriCorps VISTA members will be placed with local organizations working in these regions.
SI Now, a Southern IL community development non-profit and partner of PRN’s, has also been selected to host a VISTA member. Their application is open now too. Other VISTA positions in the Illinois Coal Basin may also open up, and the general application for our region is found here.
Check out these additional details about serving as an Energy Community AmeriCorps VISTA:
- Both the PRN and SI Now positions are one year, with the potential to increase to two or three years.
- VISTA’s receive a living allowance ($15.50/hour), education award or cash stipend, professional development, healthcare, childcare, and more. More information about VISTA benefits can be found here.
- Age requirement: 18 minimum and no maximum
- VISTA’s will support public and nonprofit organizations in their efforts related to economic development, energy transition, and environmental remediation
- PRN’s position is located in Champaign-Urbana, with travel needed
- SI Now’s position is located in Southern Illinois.
The new program has also extended the deadline to apply to host a VISTA member. Public and nonprofit organizations working in energy communities in the IL Coal Basin and other targeted areas can apply to host a VISTA member.
