The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is recruiting Preserve WV AmeriCorps members to start immediately at additional sites. Most of these sites were added after PAWV was awarded supplemental funding from Volunteer WV and the Corporation for National and Community Service. The positions are one-year and will start on a rolling basis. They include:

 Charleston Main Street, Charleston (Full-time position);  Happy Retreat, Charles Town (Full-time position);  Hatfield McCoy Country Museum, Williamson (Full-time position);  Hinton Historic Landmarks Commission, Hinton (Full-time position);  Kump Education Center, Elkins (Half-time position);  Lewisburg Historic Landmarks Commission, Lewisburg (Full-time position);  Prickett’s Fort, Fairmont (Half-time position)

For full position descriptions, see the bottom of this post.

To apply, complete an AmeriCorps application, submitted under the Preserve WV AmeriCorps program at the website http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/join-americorps. Search under “West Virginia” for our listing.

Send a letter of interest to Danielle LaPresta, PAWV Executive Director, at [email protected] regarding the position(s) for which you would like to apply. Additional Information

The Preserve WV AmeriCorps program is a statewide program administered by Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV), the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to historic preservation in the Mountain State. The purpose of the Preserve WV AmeriCorps program is to implement historic preservation and heritage tourism projects throughout West Virginia by way of historic resource re-use, improvement, development, and interpretation. Members’ service will focus on community development and revitalization through projects focused on historic resource improvement, volunteer management, community engagement, historic resource surveys, historic preservation, and heritage tourism development.

Preserve WV AmeriCorps members will be placed with an individual site throughout the state of West Virginia. Position descriptions and sites are found at the bottom of this document; a separate document that has the positions open for recruitment is available. Program start date and orientation was originally August 29, 2016, and since that date has passed, members will start depending on their selection and availability. All members must commit to serving for 11 ½ to 12 months with full-time members serving 1750 hours and half-time members serving 950 hours.

Full-time members (1750 hours) will receive a $12,600 living allowance payable in 23 bi- weekly installments. Members qualify for student loan forbearance during their service year. Workers Compensation insurance and a health insurance subsidy for yourself (not family) will be provided. A child care subsidy can be available for qualified candidates. Unemployment coverage is not included. Half-time members (950 hours) will receive a $6,300 living allowance payable in 23 bi-weekly installments. Students currently enrolled in an institute of higher learning are encouraged to apply for the half-time member positions, as the service time and projects for these positions may be used toward internship requirements. Workers compensation insurance will be provided. A child care subsidy can be available for qualified candidates. Unemployment and health insurance coverage are not included.

All members are responsible for their own living arrangements and cost, unless otherwise noted in the position description. No resettlement or moving allowance is included.

All members will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award at the successful completion of their term of service. The educational award for full-time members is equivalent to the Pell Grant amount and is subject to change annually. The educational award for half-time members is pro-rated according to their service time and will, on average, be half of what a full-time member receives. Uncompleted terms or uncompleted hours do not receive an educational award. The educational award can be used for most college tuition, technical, or vocational education, or repayment of qualified student loans. Under new rules, some members 55 or older may choose to transfer their award to a child or grandchild. Existing qualified student loans can be deferred during your AmeriCorps service with loan interest paid for the deferred period.

Member Requirements:

 The member must be a US citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident alien.  The member must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 17 years old at the start of service.  The member must honestly record any criminal history with the program director and must have a clear record with no murder or sexual assault convictions.  The member will be required to attend one day of orientation with other members and their supervisors most likely at their site. Orientation will focus on the AmeriCorps program policies, procedures, and prohibited activities.  Members will be required to participate in their first Civic Service project on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and will be required to participate in three total Civic Service project days.  Members will receive additional site-specific training from their service site and participate in individual training in topics related directly to their site duties over the course of the service year.  Members will be required to provide their own transportation to trainings. Carpooling with other members or PAWV staff is strongly encouraged. Other training activities may be scheduled during the first month of service and throughout the year. Members will be notified of these training. Expect to attend quarterly meetings with Preserve WV AmeriCorps programs. This information will be provided to you and your supervisor during orientation.  Member must track and log service time and duties in a timesheet provided by the Preserve WV AmeriCorps program director, as well as in an online reporting system called OnCorps.  Members must participate in three civic service days per year at locations to be determined by the program or of their choice. These dates usually occur in September, January, and April, and further information will be provided during orientation.  Members must participate in teleconference calls with their site supervisor and the Preserve WV AmeriCorps program coordinator. Other teleconference calls or in-person meetings are to be scheduled at random or as needed.

While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or training hours, or otherwise performing activities supported by the AmeriCorps program or CNCS, staff and members may not engage in the following activities (see 45 CFR 250.65):

1. Any activity attempting to influence legislation; 2. Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts or strikes ; 3. Assisting, promoting or deterring union organizing; 4. Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements; 5. Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office; 6. Participating in, or endorsing events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials; 7. Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization; 8. Providing a direct benefit to 1. A business organized for profit; 2. A labor union; 3. A partisan political organization; 4. A nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section 501 (c)(3) of the IRS Code of 1986 except that nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent participants from engaging in advocacy activities undertaken at their own initiative; and 5. An organization engaged in the religious activities described in paragraph (vii) of this section, unless Corporation assistance is not used to support those religious activities 9. Conducting a voter registration drive or using Corporation funds to conduct a voter registration drive; 10. Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services; 11. Such other activities as the Corporation may prohibit.

Any perceived association with the AmeriCorps program while engaged in any of these activities should be avoided – this includes any time you are wearing your AmeriCorps uniform and/or the AmeriCorps logo. Individuals may exercise their rights as private citizens and may participate in the above activities on their own initiative on non-AmeriCorps time. The AmeriCorps logo should not be worn while doing so. Also a member’s service activities may not include:

1. Raising funds for his or her living allowance; 2. Raising funds for an organization’s operating expenses or endowment; 3. Writing grant applications for AmeriCorps funding or for any other funding providing by CNCS; and 4. Writing grant applications for funding by any other Federal agency.

Recruitment for this program encourages diversity and will not discriminate based upon race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, political affiliation, marital or parental status, or military service. The program will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified persons with disabilities.

National Service Criminal History Checks members must agree to conduct as part of the Preserve WV AmeriCorps program:

 National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW);  State of Residence Fingerprint Check, if applicable based on application address in the My AmeriCorps portal;  State of Service Fingerprint Check;  FBI Fingerprint Check.

All Positions Skill Requirements:

 Demonstrable historical research abilities  Good written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking  Good organization skills required for multi-tasking for event coordination and volunteer management purposes  Comfortable working with different types of people  Responsible and a self-starter  Experience with historical resources or historic preservation (or ability to prove capability to learn)  Familiarity with heritage tourism (or ability to prove capability to learn)  Some leadership experience or group/volunteer management experience (or ability to demonstrate effective leadership skills)  Computer experience: internet research, Microsoft Suite (including PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher), email, social media, (Graphic Design skills not necessary but appreciated)  Must be willing to travel using personal car or rental car throughout the state or region for some positions and training opportunities  College degree or significant life experience preferred  High school diploma or equivalent required

Position Descriptions

Charleston Main Streets – 1 Full-time Position

Site Supervisor: Ric Cavender

Charleston, Kanawha County www.charlestonmainstreets.org

Charleston Main Streets (CMS) is a city-wide, multi-district and economic development organization focused on the revitalization of Charleston’s East End and West Side through business development, urban design improvements, promotions and marketing, and community organization. CMS’s mission is to grow vibrant commercial districts, serving as the main vessel through the city’s urban core, that fosters an environment for economic growth and the strongest business districts in West Virginia.

The staff and Board of CMS are currently in the process of fulfilling the recently adopted 5-year comprehensive strategic plan. A component of the plan addresses strategies for business and economic development, including inventorying and eventually assisting with the sale/lease of key historic commercial properties. The CMS Central Economic Development Committee has identified the need for an AmeriCorps member to solely focus on the development of a comprehensive building and property database, which will be used as a foundational component of future economic and business development in our East End and West Side business districts. This process entails analyzing the existing data for each focus district property on the East End and West Side (square footage, location, potential use, assessed value, appraised value, last list price, etc.) and creating a comprehensive database.

The Preserve WV AmeriCorps member will serve approximately 40 hours per week and will operate out of the newly-renovated permanent office for CMS located at 422 Shrewsburry Street. The member will be assigned the following tasks to develop a comprehensive, multi- district property and building database that will be essential for future economic development endeavors in the urban districts of Charleston, including:

 Develop effective relationships with buildings owners, the Kanawha County assessor’s office, and other professionals in an effort to collect and analyze the most up-to-date information on every commercial property and building in the CMS development focus districts (Washington Street East and West and Smith Street);  Analyzing current building and property data;  Building upon current lists;  Visiting and assessing each property;  Once full lists are completed, develop individual property profiles and help create a uniform system for accessing information for each property, which will be used to recruit new businesses and investors to the districts; and  Assist with volunteer management and implementation regarding CMS annual events. Happy Retreat – 1 Full-time Position

Site Supervisors: Walter Washington, Randy Hilton, Richard Seckinger, and Marjorie Gaestel

Charles Town, Jefferson County http://www.happyretreat.org/

Happy Retreat is the 1780 home of Charles Washington, younger brother of George and founder of Charles Town. The Friends of Happy Retreat (FOHR) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation founded in 2006 to respond to concerns of residents of Charles Town, West Virginia, about Charles Washington’s home, Happy Retreat, and its vulnerability to development in the state’s rapidly growing Eastern Panhandle—just 55 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. The mission statement of the organization is as follows:

The Friends of Happy Retreat convenes partners to restore and program the home and grounds to:

 Connect people with interactive arts, cultural, entertainment, educational, scholarly, and non-profit activities;  Link people to our history, the heart of downtown, natural and recreational spaces, and the broader tourism region; and  Catalyze and inspire an appreciation for history & preservation, a sense of community & connection, and the grand idea of exploring new creative opportunities.

For nine years FOHR worked to purchase Happy Retreat and finally succeeded in 2015. In 2016, Happy Retreat was included in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Treasures program. The 5 needs identified through the National Treasures designation were: a) Identify the best approach for the future uses of Happy Retreat for historical, community, arts, cultural, educational, recreational, rental and other shared uses, using best practices and strategies from similar historic houses across the nation;

(b) Help enhance better local community engagement with Happy Retreat;

(c) Build a national network of support for the restoration of Happy Retreat;

(d) Help the Friends determine the best approach for installing a new Executive Director for Happy Retreat; and

(e) Support a robust fundraising campaign

An AmeriCorps member will help FOHR on items (a) and (b) in particular. The member will serve approximately 40 hours per week at an office located in Happy Retreat, which is located adjacent to downtown Charles Town – the core of the community. The member’s tasks will include:  Organize a volunteer database using CRM program for past, current, and future volunteers;  Organize a donor database for fundraising purposes related to improving the house and grounds;  Set up an email system to communicate with current and potential volunteers for special events and regularly-needed activities;  Establish an ongoing musical performance series, in coordination with local musicians, as well as marketing and coordinating the events;  Research the history of Happy Retreat early settlement of Jefferson County and development of Charles Town; o Develop plans for future exhibits to be displayed in the garage orientation center.  Conduct a market research project for use of Happy Retreat for weddings, corporate events and other rentals;  Develop and organize archives of FOHR history;  Assist in planning for September 9 Craft Beer and Music festival. o Organize and recruit volunteers; o Coordinate marketing on social media, radio and print; o Help set up event; and o Develop a short training video (3 – 5 minutes) for beer festival volunteers that acquaints them with what they will be doing and which they can view in advance.  Assist in planning for the first June 10 Wine & Jazz festival; o Recruit and organize volunteers; o Coordinate marketing on social media, radio and print; and o Help set up event; and  Research feasibility of bus tours to nearby historic sites, such as Ferry Farm and the Rising Sun Tavern in Fredericksburg, VA, and if determined feasible, organize bus tours.

Hatfield McCoy Country Museum – 1 Full-time Position

Site Supervisor: Bill Richardson

Williamson, Mingo County http://www.hatfieldmccoycountrymuseum.com/

The Hatfield McCoy Country Museum is located at the former Williamson High School Building at 801 Alderson St. in Williamson, WV. The museum is dedicated to the interpretation of the rich culture and heritage of central Appalachia and the region surrounding Mingo County WV. Its mission is to teach the public about the culture and heritage of the region and its significance to U.S. history. The museum is further intended to be an important element in attracting heritage tourists to the region.

The museum features one-of-a-kind artifacts from the region’s history and informational displays about the Hatfield McCoy Feud, West Virginia’s coal heritage, and more. Items on display include the not-guilty verdict for Sid Hatfield in his trial for the Matewan Massacre shootout; Henry Ford’s scrip making machine; the burial records for Devil Anse, Johnse, Cap and Levicy Hatfield; the death certificate and burial records for Mamie Thurman; the deed for the contested 5,000 acres of land that some believe started the Hatfield McCoy Feud; a gun found at the site of the Feud’s climactic battle – The Battle of Grapevine Creek and much more. Other attractions include the interior of a 1920s coal camp house, the Underground Theater that looks like the inside of a coal mine, the Bee Ward Coleman collection – one of the largest collections of coal mining artifacts anywhere in the country.

The Preserve WV AmeriCorps member will serve approximately 40 hours a week at the Hatfield McCoy Country Museum. The member will help to bring heritage tourists to a coal heritage destination in Mingo County. The member’s duties will include:

 Researching the heritage of the area and developing interpretive materials and displays for the museum based on this research;  Operating the museum and organizing volunteers to assist with keeping the museum open regularly;  Researching the old Williamson High School history and complete a historic property inventory form for the property;  Fundraising for interpretive materials;  Drafting a collection management policy;  Doing teaching activities with students and other groups, as well as seeking out student and other groups to visit the museum;  Acting as a docent and developing docent training materials for volunteers; and  Assisting with promotional activities for the museum, including social media.

Hinton Historic Landmarks Commission – 1 Full-time Position

Site Supervisor: Cris Meadows

Hinton, Summers County

The Hinton Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) operates under the authority granted to landmarks commissions by the West Virginia legislature. Its primary mission is to preserve historic structures within Hinton and to educate people about the city’s heritage. Hinton has one of the largest historic districts in the state with over 200-listed buildings. The purpose of the Hinton HLC is to review permit applications for building and sign changes and to promote historic preservation.

The Preserve WV AmeriCorps member placed with the Hinton HLC will serve for approximately 40 hours per week (mostly during the week with some weekend and evening activities) and operate out of the City Manager’s office at the City Hall Building. The member will complete tasks related to the historic preservation of the district and the implementation of heritage tourism activities in Hinton. Tasks will include:

 Educate local property owners in the historic rehabilitation tax credit program for restoration and maintenance purposes;  Assist selected consultant for the Hinton HLC in establishing design review guidelines and changing the commission’s ordinance to strengthen its authority;  Help the commission to design plaques and historic markers for historic buildings;  Coordinate volunteers for the current Railroad & Veterans Museum and Campbell- Flanagan House Museum; and  Assist the boards of the Railroad & Veterans Museum and Campbell-Flanagan House Museum with coordination and implementation of the Railroad Days Festival, Labor Day Festival, and the Veterans Day festivities and ceremonies.

Kump Education Center – 1 Half-time Position

Site Supervisor: Heather Biola

Elkins, Randolph County http://www.kumpcenter.org/

The mission of the Kump Education Center is to utilize the historic Kump property for the promotion of student achievement and teacher excellence in central West Virginia. The Kump Education Center is located in the historic home of H.G. Kump (the 19th Governor of the State of West Virginia). In 2008, the Kump family home and an endowed trust were gifted to the City of Elkins by the will of Mary Gamble Kump, daughter of H.G. Kump. The Kump Education Center, Inc. is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation, organized in 2010 with the mission to fulfill the further declared wishes of Mary Gamble Kump that the property be used for preservation and education purposes, including professional development for educators, student achievement, good citizenship development of children and youth, sustainability activities and studies, historic preservation, and heritage education and cultural tourism.

The Preserve WV AmeriCorps member will serve approximately 20 hours per week primarily at the Kump Education Center in the spring and summer months (weather permitting). Since the building does not currently have working heating methods, the member will be provided an office in the Elkins City Hall during winter, spring, and fall months. The member’s main service projects will involve assisting KEC board and volunteers to bring the Kump Property up to a fully habitable, year round condition. Member activities will include assistance in:

 Researching renewable energy methods, seek estimates on upgrades for old utilities, and finding information on grants and loans for public facilities needing to meet new ADA codes and standards for electrical wiring and plumbing codes;  Jumpstarting the utility rehabilitation project so the Kump Center can have year-round activities in the historic house within the next three years;  Leading some of the historic & heritage educational programs offered at the Kump Education Center;  Giving heritage tourism tours of the house and property;  Maintaining social media and traditional mailing; and  Managing volunteers for the center and events. Lewisburg Historic Landmarks Commission – 1 Full-time Position

Site Supervisor: Shannon Beatty (City Recorder)

Lewisburg, Greenbrier County

The Lewisburg Historic Landmarks Commission operates under the authority granted to landmarks commissions by the West Virginia legislature. Its primary mission is to preserve historic structures within Lewisburg and to educate people about the city’s heritage.

The AmeriCorps member will promote historic preservation and heritage tourism throughout the service year. The member will have an assigned office space at Lewisburg City Hall, Physical Location: 942 Washington Street, West, Lewisburg, WV 24901. The member will serve approximately 40 hours per week mostly during the week with some assignments during evenings and weekends, as well as attending all meetings related to the Lewisburg Historic Landmarks Commission. Duties will include:

 Coordinating the management of and improvements to the historic cemeteries in Lewisburg with tasks including building a volunteer base for basic grounds maintenance and selective monument cleanup;  Managing the burial records of the historic cemeteries;  Coordinating a review of Lewisburg’s latest historic buildings, surveying them in preparation for leading teams of volunteers to address inaccuracies in the current survey; and  Providing support to the Lewisburg Historic Landmarks Commission as needed.

Pricketts Fort – 1 Half-time Position

Supervisor: Jessica Kittle

Fairmont, Marion County (Pricketts Fort is located just outside of Fairmont. Fairmont is a historic community located along the banks of the Monongahela River. It is home to Fairmont State University. The downtown community is known for its friendly shopkeepers, unique restaurants, and Palatine Park. It is located along Interstate 79 between Morgantown and Clarksburg, WV.) http://www.prickettsfort.org/

The Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) historical organization responsible for the historical and educational programs available at the park. The foundation uses a living history style of interpretation to preserve, document and exhibit the past. It features an 18th-century recreation of the original Pricketts Fort, which provided a place of refuge from Native American attack. In addition, guests enjoy visiting the original 19th century Job Prickett House, Prickett Cemetery, Visitor Center, and Museum Gift Shop. Pricketts Fort’s half-time Preserve WV AmeriCorps member will provide services approximately 20 hours per week at the state park. These projects will help to keep the site safe, accessible, and enjoyable to heritage tourism visitors. The scope of service has been determined through a survey or the park and all of its needs. This a mostly hands-on preservation position, in which the member will be assisted by and receive training from the Executive Director, staff members, and volunteers. The member’s duties will include:

 Completing various preservation and maintenance projects such as laying shingles, repairing chimneys, and replacing logs in a period-correct manner;  Organizing an educational log maintenance lecture to take place in the 2017 season;  Organizing, promoting, and leading walk-throughs of the site in which he/she will demonstrate various examples of log preservation and maintenance;  Replacing and painting the porch of the Job Prickett House;  Repairing the fort gates;  Repairing headstones in the Prickett Cemetery; and  Managing, recruiting, and training volunteers to assist with these hands-on preservation projects.

If you have any questions about the Preserve WV AmeriCorps program, please contact Danielle LaPresta, PAWV Executive Director, at [email protected]