Environmental Literacy Fellow VISTA
Position Title: Environmental Literacy Fellow VISTA
Organization: Catalyst Public Schools
Service Location: Bremerton, Washington
Timeline for Service: August 10, 2026 – August 9, 2027 (32 hours per week)
Teaser:
Are you passionate about empowering students and educators to connect with the environment? Join Catalyst Public Schools as an Environmental Literacy Fellow VISTA and help build sustainable environmental education programs that foster stewardship and ecological awareness among youth and adults!
Program Description:
Catalyst Public Schools is a Kindergarten through 12th grade public school, free of tuition and admission requirements, serving the greater Bremerton region. At Catalyst Public Schools, we are committed to fostering a nurturing and innovative learning environment where every student can thrive. Our focus on holistic education ensures that students are not only academically proficient but also emotionally and socially equipped to face the challenges of tomorrow.
As part of a broader collaboration with Great Peninsula Conservancy, the Environmental Literacy Fellow VISTA will help expand environmental literacy and sustainability education within the school community. This member will work closely with educators, students, and community partners to build capacity for educational programming that integrates environmental concepts aligned with state standards and community values.
Member Duties:
The Environmental Literacy Fellow VISTA will build capacity for Catalyst Public School’s K-12 environmental education by developing systems, tools, and resources that support staff-led curriculum, outreach, and partnerships. The VISTA will develop curriculum templates and planning tools for staff; create workflow guides and documentation to support program planning; build resource libraries, communication tools, and procedural guides to strengthen staff capacity; map internal workflows including staff roles and processes; and develop data tracking and evaluation systems to support long-term planning. Under the guidance of Catalyst Public Schools’ High School Principal, the VISTA member will build capacity for the school to better integrate environmental literacy lessons into its core curriculum.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Assist in developing and refining environmental literacy curriculum and resources aligned with educational standards.
- Organize and promote environmental and sustainability-themed events and activities for students and families.
- Facilitate partnerships between Catalyst Public Schools, Great Peninsula Conservancy, and community stakeholders.
- Track program participation and help measure the impact of environmental literacy efforts.
Qualifications:
- Passion for Catalyst Public Schools’s mission and vision.
- High degree of initiative and spirit of service.
- Strong interest in environmental literacy and sustainability.
- Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills.
- Preferred: understanding of education standards.
- Preferred: experience working in outdoor environments.
- Preferred: experience teaching or working with adult and/or youth learners.
- Preferred: valid driver’s license and personal vehicle.
AmeriCorps VISTA:
This Catalyst Public Schools VISTA position is funded by the Corporations for National and Community Service and will serve within the AmeriCorps VISTA program. AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Each VISTA member makes a year-long, full-time (32-hour work week) commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. To learn more about the AmeriCorps programs visit americorps.gov.
Compensation:
In return for their service, AmeriCorps VISTA members receive a modest bi-weekly living allowance of $957.46 (effective September 8th, 2024), health benefits during their service, and have the option of receiving an AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 (current through September 30th, 2024) or post-service stipend of $1,800 after completing their service. A relocation travel and settling-in allowance may also apply if they are moving. In addition to AmeriCorps’ standard benefits, Catalyst provides VISTA members with a housing stipend of $4,000 (paid out at $333.33 per month).
To Apply: Apply via the AmeriCorps portal here: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=128251 and send a cover letter and resume to Stephanie Layson at slayson@catalystpublicschools.org. Applications are accepted through AmeriCorps.gov but require that the applicant follow up with a cover letter and resume prior to receiving an interview. Deadline for applications is Friday, July 3, 2026.
Pay: $1,914.92 per month
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person