WV Rural Engagement Ambassador for Development and Youth (WV Ready) – AmeriCorps Member at Smither

 

 

Position Title:  WV Rural Engagement Ambassador for Development and Youth (WV Ready) – AmeriCorps Member with City of Smithers

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: City of Smithers
GATEWAY Center, #2 Greyhound Ln.
Smithers, WV 25186

 Terms of Service: 32 week AmeriCorps Service position


* Start Date: 05/04/2026


* End Date: 12/11/2026


* Application Deadline: 03/28/2026


* Number of Positions Available: 1


* AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1200 Hours

 

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural and cultural resources.

The West Virginia Rural Engagement Ambassadors for Development and Youth (WV READY) is a collaborative AmeriCorps program sponsored by Stewards Individual Placements.

Stewards, in partnership with Volunteer WV, and local community organizations such as the City of Smithers, is working to support West Virginia’s developing tourism, and outdoor recreation economies.

 

City of Smithers incorporated in 1938 from 6 coal camps along Great Kanawha River northside, parallel to Rt.

60 in Upper Kanawha Valley in westernmost Fayette County in southern WV.

Its mission is to provide an umbrella of municipal government, taxation, public health & safety, economic development, beautification, and other community quality of life betterment.

Located in the middle of the state’s eastern and western boarders, with the Capital of Charleston 30 minutes to the NW, and New River Gorge National Park about 30 minutes SE (which the NPS reports drawing close to 2-million visitors annually), the City of Smithers is in a “sweet spot” to attract and service the growing number of regional visitors.

 

The WV Ready AmeriCorps Member at the City of Smithers, will build upon efforts of previous AmeriCorps members by supporting city staff and partners overseeing the construction of one riverfront park, as well as support the economic redevelopment of a larger city-owned brownfields river's edge property which is slated to include public outdoor recreation attractions.  Additionally, this position will also contribute to communication and outreach efforts to increase public and stake-holder buy-in and usage of these and other related development sites.

 
Description of Duties:

To achieve the goals of this WV Ready position, the member will:


* Serve at Mayor’s right-hand representative to bolster and help oversee the construction and opening and public use of Oakland Riverfront Park

o   Support the research, planning, and communication efforts about the public opening and use of city-owned Oakland Riverfront Park


*       Act as Mayor’s right-hand representative to bolster and help oversee the planning and development of outdoor recreation-focused economic developments, such as the Longacre Development si...