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

Lead For America · Des Moines · $5,220/month (stated in the posting)

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Note: This is a full-time RPC AmeriCorps position with the Iowa Economic Development Authority & The Center for Rural Revitalization

About the Rural Partners Corps:

The Rural Partners Corps (RPC) is a new AmeriCorps service fellowship from Lead For America (LFA) that places locally rooted fellows with rural, place-based backbone organizations. Fellows already live in or near the communities they serve. They bring local knowledge, transferable skills, relationships, and a commitment to making their communities stronger. RPC Fellows will serve 40 hours per week from December through August, working alongside Host Site staff and community partners to build organizational and community capacity and advance cradle-to-career economic mobility for rural young people.

About the Iowa Economic Development Authority & The Center for Rural Revitalization

Iowa Economic Development Authority's purpose is to create opportunities for Iowans, communities, and businesses to thrive. Our vision is to build a culture in which businesses can prosper, build communities where people want to live and visit, and raise the standard of living for Iowans.

The Center for Rural Revitalization, housed within the Iowa Economic Development Authority, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Governor's Empower Rural Iowa initiative, implementing ERI task force recommendations, acting as a liaison to rural communities and helping small communities access programs that support rural areas.

Position Overview

The Member will assist staff with capacity-building activities that expand the Iowa United First Aid (IUFA) program, an initiative of the Governor's Empower Rural Iowa task force. IUFA's mission is to provide immediate medical intervention during the critical window between the onset of an emergency and the arrival of an ambulance. The program leverages GPS-location technology and trained volunteers to decrease immediate response time and stabilize emergencies while coordinating with emergency assistance. The Member’s role is focused on program development and capacity building and does not include providing medical care, making clinical decisions, or independently directing emergency responses.

The Member will assist with the customization, buildout, and testing of the Rural Response app (estimated completion February 2027). The Member will support staff-led efforts to expand the IUFA program to additional communities in Iowa. This includes contributing to community recruitment, technical support activities, volunteer recruitment efforts, policy and procedure development, community engagement, and communication activities. All activities will be consistent with the approved AmeriCorps State and National grant and its performance measures.

The Member will have the opportunity to participate in statewide meetings of the Empower Rural Iowa task force and Iowa Rural Development Council and contribute to a variety of projects and initiatives, including the annual Rural Summit and a potential national Rural Prosperity event convening in Iowa in June 2027.

All functions and activities performed by the RPC Member are completed under the guidance, supervision, and direction of program and host site staff.

Key Responsibilities

The RPC fellow will:

1. Rural Response App Support

• The Member will serve as a secondary point of contact, under staff supervision, for the Rural Response app development team and the three pilot communities during app customization (estimated completion February 2027). Activities may include:
• Attending discovery meetings with staff, stakeholders, and community representatives.
• Assisting with user testing and feedback collection.
• Supporting documentation and communication related to project deliverables.

2. IUFA Program Expansion Support

• The Member will support staff-led expansion of the IUFA program to three additional communities in Iowa. Activities may include contributing to:
• Refinement of program application materials and guidelines.
• Creation of informational resources and materials for distribution.
• Community outreach and engagement through email, phone, and potential site visits.
• Development of policies, procedures, and program resources. Draft materials and recommendations will be shared with program staff for review and approval before implementation.

3. Volunteer Recruitment Capacity Building

• The Member will support and assist staff with the development of volunteer recruitment resources, including social media templates, outreach materials, and printed resources that support community volunteer recruitment efforts. These activities will support recruitment of volunteers for the IUFA program and its community-based emergency response model.

4. Volunteer Onboarding Support

• The Member will assist staff with the development and organization of volunteer onboarding and training materials designed to support community implementation of the IUFA program. Program staff will review and approve materials before they are used for volunteer onboarding or training.

Other Service Activities

1. Meeting and Event Support

• The Member will assist staff with coordination and planning activities related to statewide meetings of the Empower Rural Iowa task force and the Iowa Rural Development Council and may contribute to a variety of organizational projects and initiatives. Activities may include supporting logistics, preparing materials, assisting with communications, and participating in planning efforts for:
• The annual Iowa Rural Summit (April 2027).
• A potential national Rural Prosperity event convening in Iowa (June 2027).

2. Community Learning Opportunities

• The Member may participate in staff-led Empower Rural Iowa BOOST community visit or other technical assistance visits to Iowa communities. Activities may include observing community engagement processes, assisting with information gathering, and contributing to the development of recommendations and resource materials under staff supervision.

3. Weekly Check-ins

• The Member will participate in weekly meetings with the Host Site Supervisor to share progress, receive guidance, review service activities, and ensure alignment with program goals and AmeriCorps requirements.

All functions and activities performed by the RPC Member are completed under the guidance, supervision, and direction of program and host site staff. The Member’s service will supplement, not displace, paid employees or existing volunteers and will not duplicate services in a manner prohibited by AmeriCorps requirements. The Member will not engage in prohibited activities under 45 CFR § 2520.65.

Learning & Development Opportunities

As an RPC fellow, you will receive structured training and support throughout your service year, including: 

• A week-long virtual orientation with the national cohort to kick off the service year.
• A week-long, in-person national Winter Institute convening with your Lead For America cohort — travel, lodging, and a per diem stipend are fully covered.
• Twice-monthly virtual training on skills for service, including project management, asset-based community development, grant writing, and serving vulnerable populations, plus self-paced curricula with opportunities to earn badges and credentials.
• A structured community listening tour at the start of service to understand local needs, assets, and opportunities.
• Dedicated 1:1 support from a Lead For America Program Coordinator and twice-monthly peer pod meetings for networking and professional development.
• Access to a national network of Lead For America fellows, alumni, and community partners.

Requirements

Who We’re Looking For

The ideal RPC Fellow is a community-rooted, service-oriented, self-directed professional who lives in or near the rural community where they will serve.

The ideal candidate brings:

• A meaningful connection to the community and understanding of its strengths, priorities, and relationships
• A commitment to serving the community where they live
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and collaboration skills
• Initiative and independence to organize work and move projects forward
• Transferable skills in areas such as project management, community engagement, youth development, workforce development, partnership development, communications, or organizational capacity building
• The ability to work across nonprofit, government, education, business, and community sectors
• Humility and curiosity—the ability to learn from community members and local leaders rather than arrive with predetermined solutions
• Alignment with the Host Site's mission, values, culture, and priorities
• Readiness to meet LFA, AmeriCorps, and service fellowship expectations

Eligibility:

• Be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident.
• Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Be 17 years of age or older by the start of service.
• Have not already served four (4) or more AmeriCorps State/National terms. 

Timeline:

We are currently recruiting fellows to serve from December 7th, 2026 - August 13th, 2027. Fellows will serve full-time (approximately 40 hours per week), completing 1200 hours of service over the course of the term.

Application Process:

1. Submit Your Application: Complete the application on the next page to join our general talent pool.
2. Host Site Review: Our host site organization will review your application, and invite those moving forward to interview.
3. Lead For America Interview: Finalist candidates will be invited to interview with the Lead For America team.

Benefits

Full-time RPC fellows receive: 

• Stipend: $23,300 living allowance dispersed biweekly over the course of the service term.
• Education Award: $5,220 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program.
• Support: Access to a national network of fellows, community partners, alumni, and 1:1 support.
• Student loan forbearance and childcare support for eligible fellows.
• Healthcare coverage: Medical, dental, and vision coverage (if applicable).
• Fully-funded training throughout the year.
• Hands-on experience, in-demand skills, and career exploration in community development and digital inclusion.

Non-Discrimination

This institution operates in accordance with Federal and AmeriCorps civil rights and non-discrimination requirements. This program is available to all. All program documents, including compliance history information, may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact us at ACCinfo@leadforamerica.org

Note: The RPC program does not offer part-time or remote fellow positions at this time.

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