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AmeriCorps Service – Ritchietown Renaissance

  • Wheeling, WV
  • Applications have closed

Website Wheeling Heritage

Programmatic Goal: Capacity Building & Historic Preservation

What is the site?   Ritchietown Renaissance, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the historic resources and heritage of the South Wheeling area. Its purpose is to preserve buildings in South Wheeling, either through its own actions, or by providing assistance to others in their preservation efforts. 

Wheeling Heritage is the operating organization for the Wheeling National Heritage Area, the Wheeling area Main Street Program, and Weelunk. Wheeling Heritage’s mission is to be a catalyst for the revitalization of Wheeling and provides support to partner organizations in the area.

What is the project? The purpose of this project is to build the capacity of the all-volunteer board of the recently-formed Ritchietown Renaissance by completing tasks that will further its communications, education, and advocacy efforts to preserve historic South Wheeling.

Daily tasks will involve: The member will serve approximately 3 days per week and will share an office space with other AmeriCorps members at the Friends of Wheeling office. The member’s tasks will focus on three primary areas of promotion, education, and action. These tasks will include:

  • Create a communications plan with a long-term marketing strategy and calendar for organizational outreach,
  • Set up an organizational website and social media pages,
  • Prepare a media “launch” of the organization,
  • Work with Wheeling Heritage on the historical recognition plaque for the South Wheeling Historic District,
  • Develop a plan to educate South Wheeling property owners about preservation assistance and incentives,
  • Create a graphic depiction of what has been lost in South Wheeling using Sanborn or other maps,
  • Create and assist with implementing the volunteer attraction and retention strategy, 
  • Plan and execute 1 preservation-related workshop, and
  • Develop methods for tracking the status of endangered historic buildings in South Wheeling.

Compensation

This is a half-time position. Half-time members (900 hours, approximately 20 hours a week) will receive a $10,000 annual stipend, paid in 23 equal installments on the 15th and 30th of each month.  Workers compensation insurance will be provided.  

AmeriCorps members will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon the successful completion of their term of service.  The educational award for full-time members is equivalent to the federal Pell Grant amount for that year. The award amounts are subject to change annually. In the 2022-2023 program year, the award is $3,447.50 for half-time members.  Members with uncompleted service terms or uncompleted hours, or who have not submitted all required program materials, will not receive an educational award. The educational award can be used for tuition at most colleges, technical, and vocational schools, or for the repayment of qualified, federal student loans. Members 55 or older may choose to transfer their award to a child, stepchild, or grandchild. AmeriCorps members are only allowed to receive educational awards for the equivalent of 2 full-time service terms (or 4 half-time terms).

Members’ qualified student loans can be deferred during AmeriCorps service, with the accumulated loan interest paid by AmeriCorps at the end of the deferred period.

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit an application on My AmeriCorps – Create a profile on the official My AmeriCorps website:  https://my.americorps.gov/mp/recruit/registration.do

​Once a profile is completed, view Preserve WV’s program listing, by simply searching “Preserve WV” in the Program Name Field of the Quick Search Box found on the AmeriCorps Search page: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/publicRequestSearch.do 
Apply using the “Apply Now!” button found on the Preserve WV program listing.
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Step 2: Send in a Cover Letter – Submit a written cover letter to Danielle Parker, executive director at [email protected].  The letter should directly reference the description of the position the applicant is applying to and speak to how the applicant’s interests, experience, and career goals are a good match for that particular service opportunity. Position descriptions for all available service opportunities can be found below. If interested, applicants may use the cover letter to apply for more than one position. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to send a formal CV or resume to accompany their cover letter. 

APPLY HERE