Stewards VISTA: Rural Economy Diversification Coordinator Y1

Overview

EASTERN PLAINS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (EPEDC) is a nonprofit regional economic development organization serving five rural counties in southeastern Montana. EPEDC works with local governments, businesses, and community partners to strengthen local and regional economies in a region challenged by reliance on agriculture and energy industries, large geographic distances, and limited workforce pipelines. This Ameri Corps VISTA position focuses on building the internal systems EPEDC uses to support communities navigating economic transition, and on developing staff‑ready datasets, planning frameworks, stakeholder engagement systems, and resource guides that inform long‑term decision‑making and future updates to the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

• Develop a regional energy transition and economic diversification framework.
• Organize centralized datasets related to workforce, industry, and energy trends.
• Create staff‑ready planning tools supporting long‑term decision‑making.
• Design a stakeholder engagement system documenting partners, priorities, and collaboration pathways, and produce resource guides and planning materials.
• Develop an economic diversification roadmap with prioritized, implementation‑ready projects and tools, informing future updates to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

• Relocation Allowance
• Health Coverage*
• Stipend
• $60/month cell phone reimbursement
• Training
• Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend
• Childcare assistance if eligible

• Strong research, data organization, writing, or analytical skills.
• Interest in rural economic development or regional planning.
• Computers/Technology
• Writing/Editing
• Communications
• Community Organization
• Fund Raising/Grant Writing
• Education