Northern Lakes Economic Alliance - Rural Partners Corps Fellow

Note: This is a full-time RPC AmeriCorps position with the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA)

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 Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) is a 501(c)(3) regional economic development organization with a four-county service area: Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties. Our mission is to drive economic resiliency by ensuring the resources, infrastructure, and policies exist to fuel business growth and community prosperity.

The Rural Partners Corp (RPC) Fellow will join the NLEA to support the NLEA’s efforts to promote economic development strategies and capacities within Northern Lower Michigan. The Member will support research efforts into the region's manufacturing sector as part of historical impact research as well as forward looking market analyses. The Member will also assist with the development of the organization's 2028-2031 Strategic Plan through stakeholder engagement.

The Member will perform research, information-gathering, and planning support under the direction of NLEA staff, consistent with the approved AmeriCorps State and National grant and its performance measures.

• Economic Impact Research & Case Study Development: Support comprehensive research on the Boyne City Industrial Park through historical record reviews and founder interviews to analyze its lifetime economic impact and deliver actionable insights for other Northern Lower Michigan communities. Compile and organize research findings to support a case study that can inform community-level economic development planning.
• Regional Manufacturing Data Analysis: Support data collection and market analysis for a US Economic Development Administration (EDA) planning grant, evaluating regional manufacturing trends, capacity, and growth opportunities across Northern Lower Michigan. Collect, organize, and summarize regional data for planning purposes and share findings with NLEA staff. Activities must support regional or community-level planning rather than provide individualized consulting or other direct services to a specific business.
• Strategic Planning & Process Support: Assist NLEA leadership with the design and execution of the strategic planning process for the 2028–2031 Strategic Plan, helping align regional economic priorities and organizational goals. Support staff-directed stakeholder engagement, meeting preparation, documentation, and synthesis of stakeholder input. NLEA leadership will retain responsibility for strategic decisions and approval of the final plan
• Regional Economic Capacity Building:Collaborate on broader economic development initiatives across Northern Lower Michigan, supporting strategies that strengthen local business infrastructure, community capacity, and regional competitiveness. Support research, resource mapping, and coordination with community organizations and regional stakeholders to strengthen community capacity and address identified regional needs. Activities must remain consistent with the AmeriCorps guidelines and may not displace or duplicate the work of existing employees or other workers.

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.