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

Lead For America • Des Moines, IA

10d

About The Position

The Rural Partners Corps (RPC) Fellow will serve with the Iowa Economic Development Authority and its Center for Rural Revitalization, supporting capacity-building activities for Iowa United First Aid (IUFA), an initiative of the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa task force. IUFA uses GPS-location technology and trained volunteers to provide immediate intervention while emergency assistance is on its way. This is a program development and capacity-building role; it does not involve providing medical care, making clinical decisions, or independently directing emergency responses.

Under the guidance and supervision of program and host site staff, the Fellow will support customization, buildout, and testing of the Rural Response app, and staff-led expansion of IUFA to three additional Iowa communities. Work may include supporting community and volunteer recruitment, technical assistance, outreach, development of program policies and materials, and volunteer onboarding resources. The Fellow may also assist with statewide meetings, community visits, and events such as the Iowa Rural Summit and a potential national Rural Prosperity event in Iowa.

The service term runs December 7, 2026, through August 13, 2027. Fellows serve approximately 40 hours per week and complete 1,200 service hours. The position is intended for a community-rooted, service-oriented candidate who lives in or near the rural community served and can work across nonprofit, government, education, business, and community sectors. The role supplements rather than displaces paid employees or existing volunteers and must comply with AmeriCorps requirements.

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.
• Live in or near the rural community where the Fellow will serve.
• Have a meaningful connection to the community and understanding of its strengths, priorities, and relationships.
• Be committed to serving the community where they live.
• Have strong relationship-building, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Show initiative and independence in organizing work and advancing projects.
• Be able to work across nonprofit, government, education, business, and community sectors.
• Demonstrate humility and curiosity and a willingness to learn from community members and local leaders.
• Align with the Host Site’s mission, values, culture, and priorities.
• Be ready to meet Lead For America, AmeriCorps, and service fellowship expectations.

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 app discovery meetings and assist with user testing, feedback collection, project documentation, and communications about 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.
• Assist with community outreach and engagement through email, phone, and potential site visits.
• Contribute to the development of IUFA policies, procedures, and program resources, with drafts submitted to program staff for review and approval.
• Help develop 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.
• Support coordination and planning for statewide meetings of the Empower Rural Iowa task force and the Iowa Rural Development Council, including logistics, meeting materials, communications, and planning.
• Assist with planning and preparation for the annual Iowa Rural Summit and a potential national Rural Prosperity event in Iowa.
• Participate in staff-led community visits or technical assistance visits; observe community engagement, assist with information gathering, and contribute to recommendations and resource materials under staff supervision.
• Attend weekly meetings with the Host Site Supervisor to report progress, receive guidance, review service activities, and maintain alignment 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 covered 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