Empower Rural Iowa AmeriCorps Fellow (Iowa Economic Development Authority), RPC

Lead For America • Des Moines, IA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The full-time Rural Partners Corps (RPC) AmeriCorps Fellow will serve with the Iowa Economic Development Authority and its Center for Rural Revitalization from December 7, 2026, through August 13, 2027. Fellows serve approximately 40 hours per week and complete 1,200 service hours during the term. The role supports the Center’s work on the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa initiative and helps build organizational and community capacity to advance economic mobility for rural young people.

The Member will support the expansion of the Iowa United First Aid (IUFA) program, which uses GPS-location technology and trained volunteers to provide immediate assistance during the interval before an ambulance arrives. The position focuses on program development and capacity building; it does not involve providing medical care, making clinical decisions, or independently directing emergency responses. The Member will assist with customization, development, and testing of the Rural Response app, support expansion of IUFA into three additional Iowa communities, and help develop program, volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and training resources. Draft materials and recommendations are reviewed and approved by program staff before implementation or use.

The Fellow may also support statewide task force and council meetings, the annual Iowa Rural Summit, a potential national Rural Prosperity event in Iowa, and staff-led community visits. All service activities are performed under the guidance, supervision, and direction of program and host site staff and must align with the approved AmeriCorps grant and its requirements.

The service year includes a virtual national cohort orientation, an in-person Winter Institute with travel, lodging, and per diem covered, twice-monthly virtual training, a community listening tour, one-to-one support from a Lead For America Program Coordinator, peer pod meetings, and access to a national network of fellows, alumni, and community partners. Full-time fellows receive a $23,300 living allowance paid biweekly, a $5,220 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion, student loan forbearance and childcare support for eligible fellows, medical, dental, and vision coverage if applicable, and fully funded training.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident.
• Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Be at least 17 years old by the start of service.
• Have served fewer than four AmeriCorps State/National terms.
• Be ready to meet Lead For America, AmeriCorps, and service fellowship expectations.
• Be a community-rooted, service-oriented, self-directed professional who lives in or near the rural community where they will serve.
• Bring a meaningful connection to the community and an understanding of its strengths, priorities, and relationships.
• Demonstrate commitment to serving the community where they live.
• Have strong relationship-building, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Show initiative and independence in organizing work and moving projects forward.
• Be able to work across nonprofit, government, education, business, and community sectors.
• Bring humility and curiosity and be willing to learn from community members and local leaders.
• Align with the Host Site’s mission, values, culture, and priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Transferable skills in project management, community engagement, youth development, workforce development, partnership development, communications, or organizational capacity building.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a secondary point of contact, under staff supervision, for the Rural Response app development team and three pilot communities during app customization.
• Attend discovery meetings and assist with user testing, feedback collection, documentation, and communication about project deliverables.
• Support staff-led expansion of the IUFA program to three additional Iowa communities.
• Contribute to refining program application materials and guidelines and creating informational resources for distribution.
• Support community outreach and engagement through email, phone, and potential site visits.
• Help develop IUFA policies, procedures, and program resources, submitting draft materials and recommendations to program staff for review and approval.
• Assist staff in developing volunteer recruitment resources, including social media templates, outreach materials, and printed resources.
• Assist staff in developing and organizing volunteer onboarding and training materials for staff review and approval.
• Assist with coordination and planning for statewide meetings of the Empower Rural Iowa task force and the Iowa Rural Development Council.
• Support event logistics, materials, communications, and planning for the annual Iowa Rural Summit and a potential national Rural Prosperity event in Iowa.
• Participate, as appropriate, in staff-led community visits or technical assistance visits; observe engagement processes, assist with information gathering, and contribute to recommendations and resource materials under supervision.
• Attend weekly meetings with the Host Site Supervisor to report progress, receive guidance, review service activities, and align work with program goals and AmeriCorps requirements.

Benefits

• $23,300 living allowance dispersed biweekly over the service term.
• $5,220 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful program completion.
• Access to a national network of fellows, community partners, and alumni, plus one-to-one support.
• Student loan forbearance and childcare support for eligible fellows.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, if applicable.
• Fully funded training throughout the year.
• Travel, lodging, and per diem stipend for the in-person national Winter Institute.
• Hands-on experience, in-demand skills, and career exploration in community development and digital inclusion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED