Housing and Redevelopment Support Specialist (Tuscola County EDC), RPC Fellow

Lead For America • Caro, MI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Housing and Redevelopment Support Specialist is a full-time Rural Partners Corps (RPC) AmeriCorps service fellow hosted by the Tuscola County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), a nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life in Tuscola County through economic development. The fellow supports the EDC’s work to preserve housing and advance redevelopment opportunities, assisting with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing projects under existing third-party administration contracts and with Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) and tax increment financing (TIF) activities. Service is performed under staff guidance and in alignment with the approved AmeriCorps State and National grant and its performance measures.

The fellow assists with housing applications and project tracking, redevelopment research and materials, project documentation, partner communications, and improvements to application guidance and information resources. The role supports access to housing resources, project information, partnerships, community investment, and economic mobility. The member prepares materials for staff review and does not independently make eligibility decisions, approve expenditures or reimbursements, or issue official reports. Service supplements rather than displaces paid employees or existing volunteers and must comply with AmeriCorps requirements.

RPC fellows serve approximately 40 hours per week and complete 1,200 service hours over the term. The scheduled service term is December 7, 2026, through August 13, 2027. Fellows receive structured orientation and training, a community listening tour, one-to-one program support, and opportunities for networking and professional development. The program does not offer part-time or remote fellow positions.

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 understand its strengths, priorities, and relationships.
• Be committed to serving the community where they live.
• Demonstrate 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.
• 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

• Assist staff with housing applications, supporting documentation, applicant communication, and project tracking for contracted third-party administration services.
• Refer eligibility questions, decisions, approvals, and other determinations to authorized staff.
• Assist with redevelopment research, application materials, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority meeting preparation, and project follow-up under staff direction.
• Support project records, financial and reimbursement documentation, reporting materials, and closeout information; prepare and organize documentation for staff review.
• Assist with communication among residents, municipalities, developers, consultants, contractors, and other project partners within assigned responsibilities and under staff guidance.
• Help improve application guidance, tracking tools, and information resources, sharing proposed improvements with staff for review and implementation.
• Participate in a structured community listening tour and required RPC training and development activities.
• Comply with AmeriCorps requirements, including restrictions on prohibited activities; supplement rather than displace paid employees or existing volunteers.

Benefits

• $23,300 living allowance paid biweekly during the service term.
• $5,220 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program.
• 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, including travel, lodging, and per diem for the 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