Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) has been a key partner for the Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps AmeriCorps program (PMSC) with 25 members serving over the past 17 years.
“Partnering with MWA has been a positive experience for everyone involved. Mountain Watershed Association staff, board, and previous members are great ambassadors for AmeriCorps and set their members up for success so they can Get Things Done!” – Jena Shaffer, PMSC.
Currently MWA is the only PMSC AmeriCorps host site located in Fayette County. Our AmeriCorps members serve the Indian Creek and greater Youghiogheny River watershed communities through water quality monitoring and maintenance of our treatment systems; the Indian Creek Valley Trail; and by coordinating volunteers for adopt-a-highway cleanups and other community events both hosted by MWA and other organizations.
Who and what is AmeriCorps and the Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps?
AmeriCorps is “a national network of service partners addressing critical and unmet community needs”; and The Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps is our local AmeriCorps program. Created in 1994, PMSC started with 40 members serving in 10 Pennsylvania counties and has since expanded to be one of the largest full-time AmeriCorps programs in Pennsylvania with 150 members serving 15 counties in southwestern and southcentral Pennsylvania. Members sign up to serve terms between from 300 hours in the summer, to a year’s commitment of 1700 hours for full time members. For their efforts, AmeriCorps members receive a living stipend, educational award, health insurance as applicable, and a wealth of experience.
Where are our former members now?
Over the past 17 years, AmeriCorps members serving at Mountain Watershed Association gathered much needed experience in watershed management while serving the Indian Creek and Youghiogheny River watershed communities that helped them in their career paths. Our former members are now serving at organizations including Fayette County Conservation District, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, United States Geological Survey, West Virginia Water Institute, private consulting firms, PMSC staff and the Mountain Watershed Association staff. One former member even went on to become an attorney.
Who wants to be our next AmeriCorps member?
MWA is currently recruiting for our next AmeriCorps member. The upcoming service year starts on August 20, 2020 and that member will serve 1700 hours through August 6, 2021. Member will primarily be involved in MWA’s Conservation and Outreach activities including our existing treatment systems and the Indian Creek Valley Trail. For more information about the position visit our website https://mtwatershed.com/employment/.
Carla Ruddock
Director of Conservation/Former PMSC AmeriCorps Member