Stewards VISTA: Plenty Doors Access to Housing- AmeriCorps

The Stewards VISTA position with Conservation Legacy is based in Helena, MT, focusing on addressing housing challenges on the Crow Reservation. The role involves developing a housing demonstration project to improve living conditions and reduce utility costs. The VISTA member will research building strategies, seek funding, and collaborate with local stakeholders. This one-year service term offers a living allowance of approximately $24,962.35.
Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Plenty Doors: Access to Housing- AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East

Site Location: Plenty Doors Community Development Corporation

City, State or Full Address: 8645 Weaver Dr., Crow Agency, MT 59022

Terms of Service:

Start Date: 07/14/25

End Date: 07/13/26

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

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

PLEASE APPLY USING THIS LINK: My AmeriCorps - Home Page

Purpose:

Plenty Doors Community Development Corporation serves residents on and around the Crow Reservation in rural Montana. In an area where the housing shortage is critical and family households are often double the state average in size, the need for affordable housing is urgent. Many homes on the reservation are overcrowded and in disrepair, leading to higher utility costs and lower living standards. Families work together to share resources, but limited housing infrastructure puts added strain on the community. Addressing this issue with smart, durable, and efficient housing solutions will support family stability, workforce readiness, and long-term economic sustainability.

In its first year, this VISTA project will lay the foundation for community-wide change by demonstrating what’s possible when innovative housing design meets local knowledge and determination. The VISTA member will play a vital role in helping Plenty Doors move from vision to reality—empowering residents through increased access to quality housing, while advancing a model for community-driven development that can be sustained and expanded over time.

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

Description of Duties:

The AmeriCorps VISTA member will support efforts to address housing challenges on and around the Crow Reservation by initiating a practical housing demonstration project. This first-of-its-kind pilot will showcase affordable, sustainable building strategies aimed at reducing utility costs for residents and easing the burden of overcrowded living conditions.

The member will:
• Develop and implement a small-scale, housing model tailored to local needs.
• Research viable building materials, energy technologies, and local regulations to ensure the model is cost-effective and replicable.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities to scale the project for broader community impact.
• Collect and organize data to support future investment and grant proposals.
• Work with local stakeholders and leadership to ensure the project aligns with long-term community goals and encourages self-reliance.

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) from 7/14/25 to 7/13/26, 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 JoRee LaFrance, JoRee@PlentyDoorsCDC.onmicrosoft.com

PLEASE APPLY USING THIS LINK: My AmeriCorps - Home Page

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.