Community Schools Capacity-Building Fellow (Finger Lakes Community Action)

Note: This is a full-time RPC AmeriCorps position with Finger Lakes Community Action.

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 Finger Lakes Community Action

Wayne County Community Schools, a program of Finger Lakes Community Action (FLCA), which serves as the countywide backbone connecting all 11 school districts in rural Wayne County, NY, with out-of-school-time providers, workforce partners, nonprofits, and local government through the Wayne County Partnership.

Position Overview

Wayne County Community Schools has built a countywide cradle-to-career system that connects schools, families, employers and community partners across all 11 school districts in rural Wayne County, NY. Through the Wayne County Partnership for Strengthening Families and the Cradle to Career Steering Committee, workgroups cover every stage, from early childhood through adulthood, and are supported by the Community Schools Coalition, Wayne County MOST and dozens of partner organizations. The RPC Member will assist program and host site staff in strengthening and sustaining that system, so it works effectively for youth and families and lasts beyond any one person or grant. The Member will provide service by supporting coalition documentation, data and evaluation activities, staff-led career exploration initiatives, and countywide resource mapping and partnership efforts.

The Member will support four core projects: assisting staff with coalition documentation and evaluation efforts; helping staff understand how data and information move between partners; contributing to a staff-led career exploration pilot with community partners; and supporting asset mapping and stakeholder collaboration across education, workforce and community sectors. The Member’s contributions will consist of research, information gathering, documentation, outreach and coordination support, and preparation of materials for staff and partner review. The Member will not independently direct the coalition, establish shared policies or data-sharing agreements, make decisions on behalf of partner organizations, or manage program initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

The RPC fellow will:

Initiative 1: Coalition Documentation, Data & Evaluation Support

- Assist staff and the evaluation team with documenting the coalition’s structure, partnerships and growth over time by gathering, organizing and compiling information for staff and partner review and consideration.

- Help staff review how data and information are collected and shared across partners, and share findings and options with staff for review

- Participate in evaluation and coalition meetings to support aligned processes and shared learning by assisting with meeting preparation, documentation and follow-up as assigned. Staff and coalition partners retain responsibility for setting evaluation priorities, determining data-sharing practices and making decisions about coalition processes.

Initiative 2: Cradle-to-Career & Career Exploration Support

- Support staff-led initiatives that expand access to career exploration and pathways for youth and young adults, including a pilot with community partners such as the local library system by assisting with approved planning, outreach and activity support.

- Under staff direction, help organize and engage local professionals and volunteers to participate in staff-led career exploration activities. The Member does not independently recruit, supervise or manage volunteers or partners.

- Assist with outreach, scheduling and collecting participant feedback for staff review using staff-approved methods and applicable consent, privacy and data-handling procedures.

Initiative 3: Asset Mapping, Partnership & Capacity Building

- Assist staff with updating countywide maps of youth, family and workforce resources by gathering and organizing publicly available and partner-provided information for staff review.

- Support staff with outreach and relationship-building across schools, employers and community organizations, and help organize convenings and follow-up by assisting with meeting preparation, information sharing, documentation and follow-up communications for staff review. Staff retain responsibility for partner relationships, commitments and decisions.

- Help develop tools, guides and resources that document coalition processes, so capacity remains after the service term by researching, compiling and preparing draft materials for staff and partner review and approval.

Ongoing:

- Begin service with a staff-guided listening and learning period to understand existing initiatives and partners. Use this period to become familiar with current activities and identify, with staff guidance, ways the Member’s service can complement existing efforts and avoid duplication.

- Participate in regular check-ins with the Host Site Supervisor to share progress, receive guidance and align service activities with program goals.

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:

- Submit Your Application: Complete the application on the next page to join our general talent pool.
- Host Site Review: Our host site organization will review your application, and invite those moving forward to interview.
- 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 [email protected]

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