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AmeriCorps VISTA - Affordable Housing & Sanitation

Rich Earth Institute
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Position Description: Americorps Service Member: Affordable Housing & Sanitation

Position Start/End Date: 10/1/2026 - 08/09/2027 

ABOUT RICH EARTH
The Rich Earth Institute reclaims human urine as a safe, sustainable fertilizer that prevents watershed pollution and conserves clean water. We demonstrate urine recycling is possible through our community-scale program, and support others in completing the nutrient cycle through research, education, and technological development.

ABOUT SERVERMONT AMERICORPS VISTA
The SerVermont AmeriCorps VISTA Program is a statewide national service program. Founded in 1965, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is an anti-poverty program designed to provide needed resources to nonprofit organizations and public agencies to increase their capacity to lift communities out of poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA provides opportunities for Americans 18 years or older from a diverse range of backgrounds to dedicate a year of full-time service with an organization (“sponsor”) to create or expand programs designed to empower individuals and communities in overcoming poverty.

 

MEMBER DUTIES

Rich Earth’s AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer will strengthen our organization’s capacity to support resilient housing, sanitation management, and disaster preparedness in Windham County, Vermont. Support from a VISTA Volunteer will help to alleviate poverty in southern Vermont by improving affordability of creating new housing. Specifically, affordability will be improved by providing more affordable, disaster-resilient, and environmentally friendly sanitation options for homeowners, housing developers, and community housing projects. Rich Earth’s VISTA Volunteer position will be responsible for the following activities:

  • Communications focused on outreach, networking, and relationship-building 
  • Coordinating, publicizing, and supporting the launching of a compost toilet service 
  • Documenting the compost toilet service operations and outcomes to create new resources 
  • Expanding the scope, content, and reach of Rich Earth’s education programs

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with or interest in architectural or urban planning
  • Strong communication skills
  • Ability to collaborate with a team, to take initiative, and to engage in open communication
  • Capable of communicating about science to different audiences, including writing and presenting about research in an engaging way
  • Enthusiasm for creative approaches to community engagement and storytelling 
  • Good organization skills and attention to detail
  • Experience with or interest in disaster preparedness

COMPENSATION:

  • Living Allowance: Paid bi-weekly, totaling $24,962 (pre-Federal taxes) for the full year of service. VISTAs serve full-time (35 – 40 hours / week) for one year (365 days).
  • End-of-Service Award (choice of one):
    • Segal Education Award: $7,395 to pay for future tuition or pay off qualified student loans. Good for 7 years.
    • Cash Stipend: A $1,800 cash payment (taxable) upon completion.
  • Healthcare Coverage: Members without coverage can join the VISTA Health
  • Benefit Plan through IMG Global (not insurance), covering office visits, labs, emergency care, and some dental/vision. 
  • Relocation Allowance: Members moving over 50 miles for service may receive a settling-in allowance and travel assistance up to $750. 
  • Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE): VISTA alumni gain special status that makes it easier to get hired for federal jobs for one year after service. 
  • Loan Forbearance: Qualified student loans may be deferred or put into forbearance during the service term.
  • Loan Deferment

APPLY: 
https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=129194