Community Impact Fellow (Strategic Twin-Counties Education Partnership) - RPC

Note: This is a full-time RPC AmeriCorps position with the Strategic Twin-Counties Education Partnership.

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 Strategic Twin-Counties Education Partnership

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

Working alongside STEP staff and community partners, the Fellow will help advance the Local Education Attainment Collaborative by strengthening community engagement, expanding participation in its three working groups, and sprinting collaborative efforts to improve educational and workforce outcomes. The Fellow will also contribute to STEP's broader strategic initiatives by identifying opportunities to strengthen partnerships, improve organizational systems, document outcomes, and expand the reach and sustainability of the organization's work. This position offers and opportunity to build relationships across education, business, and community sectors while contributing to meaningful, long-term progress in the Twin-Counites.

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. Support LEAC Collaboration: Assist with planning, preparing for, and co-facilitating community team meetings, including follow-up on goals, priorities and action items.

2. Strengthen Working Groups: Support the growth and engagement of the three working groups focused on literacy, FAFSA completion, and career preparation aligned with regional labor market needs.

3. Build Community Partnerships: Identify and engage potential partners, resources, and stakeholders to expand collaboration across education, business, workforce, and community organizations. Coordinate outreach and partnership activities with STEP staff; refer organizational commitments and decisions to authorized staff.

4. Advance Strategic Initiatives: Provide capacity-building support for STEP’s broader strategic priorities, including career awareness, career exploration, career preparedness, and work-based learning.

5. Review and Improve Tracking Systems: Assist in evaluating existing data collection and tracking processes and recommend improvements to strengthen efficiency, consistency, and usefulness. Share recommendations with STEP staff for review.

6. Document Outcomes and Impact: Help collect, organize, and analyze information to track progress, identify trends, document successes, and demonstrate the impact of STEP’s initiatives. Follow STEP’s applicable confidentiality and data-handling procedures when accessing, recording, and sharing information.

7. Research Opportunities for Growth: Research community needs, best practices, potential funding and partnership opportunities, and strategies to expand the reach and sustainability of STEP’s work. Provide research findings and recommendations to STEP staff for consideration.

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.

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.