Canyonlands VISTA Project

Position: Canyonlands AmeriCorps VISTA Project
Location: Moab

Canyonlands Ameri Corps VISTA Project

The overall goal of this VISTA assignment is to build the capacity of the Southeast Utah Health Department (SEUHD) to secure sustainable funding that expands environmental health and prevention programs serving underserved and low-income populations in Grand, Carbon, and Emery Counties. By strengthening grant development and resource acquisition systems, the VISTA will help address poverty-related health disparities linked to unsafe housing, environmental hazards, mental health challenges, and substance use.

The VISTA will increase SEUHD's capacity to secure external funding by developing tools, systems, and relationships that support ongoing grant identification, writing, tracking, and reporting. This work responds to elevated regional poverty rates, particularly in Carbon County (16.8%), by expanding resources for programs that mitigate environmental and public health risks. Activities include researching funding opportunities; developing grant narratives, budgets, and documentation;

creating a centralized grant calendar and tracking system; and assisting with data collection and outcome reporting. The VISTA will also support expansion of environmental health services for individuals living in substandard housing, including those impacted by mold, pest infestations, and failing septic systems. Activities include supporting grant writing for housing inspections and remediation, compiling community needs data, developing impact statements, and documenting service gaps to inform funding strategies.

In addition, the VISTA will help expand SEUHD's capacity to fund prevention programs supporting families, individuals with mental health conditions, and those experiencing substance use challenges, including health promotion initiatives, harm reduction services, and the Parents as Teachers program. The member will draft grant proposals, compile outcomes and success stories, develop templates to streamline submissions, and support cross-program collaboration. Further help on this page can be found by clicking here.

Member Duties :
The Ameri Corps VISTA will build the Southeast Utah Health Department's capacity to secure sustainable funding and expand environmental health and prevention programs serving low-income and underserved residents in Grand, Carbon, and Emery Counties. The VISTA will research and identify public and private funding opportunities; develop grant narratives, budgets, and supporting materials; and create systems for grant tracking, reporting, and sustainability.

The member will support expansion of environmental health services addressing substandard housing issues such as mold, pest infestations, and failing septic systems by compiling community needs data, documenting service gaps, and developing impact statements. The VISTA will also assist with grant development for prevention programs, including health promotion, harm reduction, and the Parents as Teachers program. All tools, templates, and processes will be documented to ensure use, replication, and impact beyond the VISTA term.

Program Benefits :
Stipend , Health Coverage* , Training , Living Allowance , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend .

Terms :

Permits working at another job during off hours , Permits attendance at school during off hours .

Service Areas :

Environment , Health , Housing , Education , Children/Youth , Community Outreach .

Skills :

Communications , Fund raising/Grant Writing , Environment , Leadership , Public Health , General Skills , Writing/Editing , Computers/Technology , Community Organization , Team Work .