Community and Business Development Specialist (Tuscola County EDC), RPC Fellow

Note: This is a full-time RPC AmeriCorps position with Tuscola County Economic Development Corporation

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.

The Tuscola County EDC is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to raising the quality of life in Tuscola County through economic development.

The Community and Business Development Specialist will support Tuscola County Economic Development Corporation efforts to strengthen local businesses and advance community and economic development priorities. The RPC Member will assist with business outreach, project support, economic development, transportation, research, and partner engagement while helping improve the tools and processes used to connect businesses and communities with resources. This service will support employment, entrepreneurship, and economic mobility in Tuscola County.

All activities will be conducted under the guidance of TEDC staff and in alignment with the approved AmeriCorps State and National program goals and performance measures.

• Business assistance: Assist staff with business retention and expansion visits, business intakes, resource referrals, and follow-up. Refer business decisions, eligibility determinations, and commitments to authorized staff.
• Project support: Community development activities through research, documentation, and project tracking.
• Partner engagement: Assist with communication and collaboration among businesses, municipalities, schools, workforce organizations, EMCOG, and other agency partners. under staff guidance.
• Organizational capacity: Help develop and improve resource materials, intake tools, and tracking systems that strengthen TEDC services for staff review and use.
• Communications and reporting: Assist with outreach materials, meeting preparation, project summaries, and documentation of services and community outcomes in accordance with staff guidance and applicable data-handling procedures.

The RPC Member’s service activities will supplement, not displace or duplicate, the work of paid staff or existing volunteers and will not include prohibited activities under AmeriCorps regulations.

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.

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.

• 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

• 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. 

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.

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.