Job Description

Note: This is a full-time ACC AmeriCorps position with the North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission

About the American Connection Corps:

The American Connection Corps (ACC), an AmeriCorps program of Lead For America (LFA), is a service fellowship program aimed at helping communities build the digital connectivity necessary to expand opportunity and economic mobility, ranging from healthcare access to quality employment.

ACC Members spend a year serving with locally-rooted organizations, helping address the digital divide and strengthen access to opportunity. Through their service, they gain hands-on experience, build in-demand skills, and explore career pathways while making a tangible impact in their communities.

About the North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission

The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the six-county region of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter. We are proud to be recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s seven Local Development Districts.

Our mission is to strengthen our communities and economies through strategic planning, funding support, and program delivery. We work collaboratively with municipalities, businesses, partners, and residents to turn ideas into action and make meaningful progress in our region.

The AmeriCorps Member will support community outreach, resource navigation support, and regional planning activities across North Central Pennsylvania’s six-county region, with a strong emphasis on improving access to healthcare, public transit, digital connectivity, and essential community services.

The Member will work collaboratively under staff guidance and supervision with local governments, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, transportation agencies, and community stakeholders to identify barriers impacting underserved populations and support community-informed efforts that improve quality of life and regional resiliency.

The AmeriCorps Member will help advance equitable access to transportation, healthcare, and digital connectivity services for underserved populations throughout North Central Pennsylvania, with a focus on strengthening rural community resiliency and quality of life.

Key Responsibilities

The ACC Member will:

• Under staff guidance, will support communication and collaboration among local governments, healthcare providers, transportation agencies, broadband providers, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and other regional stakeholders to support community development and regional planning initiatives.
• Conduct community outreach, stakeholder engagement, and public participation activities to identify barriers affecting underserved populations and gather input for planning, community engagement, and service delivery.
• Support initiatives that improve access to transportation, healthcare, broadband, and other essential services for rural residents, seniors, individuals with disabilities, low-income households, and other vulnerable populations.
• Dedicate at least 50% of position activities to broadband expansion, digital inclusion, and digital equity efforts throughout North Central Pennsylvania.
• Research, assess, and document regional needs related to broadband availability, healthcare access, transportation services, and community resiliency to support planning and AmeriCorps approved service activities
• Assist with the support and execution of approved service activities and community initiatives that advance digital connectivity, healthcare access, transportation mobility, and community development goals.
• Provide information, resource navigation support, and community education activities related to broadband, healthcare, transportation, resiliency, and other regional resources and opportunities, provided the Member does not engage in grant writing, fundraising, donor cultivation, preparation of funding proposals, or activities prohibited under AmeriCorps requirements.
• Assist staff with organizing and supporting stakeholder meetings, workshops, public engagement sessions, and collaborative planning activities to advance regional priorities.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret demographic, economic, and service-related data to support planning initiatives, approved reporting requirements, and program evaluation activities under staff oversight.
• Prepare reports, presentations, outreach materials, service summaries, and activity updates to communicate approved service activities, outcomes, and community priorities.
• Support implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), regional resiliency initiatives, and other strategic planning efforts through approved service activities under staff direction.
• Promote awareness of available community resources, services, and programs.

All activities performed by the AmeriCorps Member will occur under staff supervision and within the approved AmeriCorps position description and program scope. The Member serves in a direct service and capacity-building role and may not independently manage programs, supervise staff or contractors, determine eligibility, engage in fundraising or grant writing leadership, or perform duties that duplicate, displace, or supplant employees or contractors.

Learning & Development Opportunities

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

• A two-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 ACC 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 ACC Members, alumni, and community partners.

Requirements

• Passion for community service and connecting your neighbors to the digital tools, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Interest in gaining experience in community development or digital inclusion.

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 Members to serve from September 8th, 2026 - August 13th, 2027. Members will serve full-time (approximately 40 hours per week), completing 1700 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 ACC Members receive:

• A $33,000 living stipend (dispersed bi-weekly over the course of the service term)
• A $7,395 Segal Education Award through AmeriCorps, which can be applied to education-related expenses after the program concludes (including repayment of qualifying student loans).
• Healthcare coverage (if applicable).
• Access to childcare benefits
• Student loan forbearance during your year of service.
• Fully-funded ACC Winter Institute druing the year.

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 ACC program does not offer part-time or remote member positions at this time.