Highland Rural Partners Corps Fellow (Blue Grass Resource Center)

Note: This is a full-time RPC AmeriCorps position with Blue Grass Resource Center.

About the Rural Partners Corps

Rural Partners Corps (RPC) is a new service fellowship from Lead For America (LFA) designed to help rural communities build the local capacity, partnerships, and talent needed to expand economic opportunity for children and youth—from cradle to career.

Through RPC, rural place-based backbone organizations host a dedicated AmeriCorps Member who spends a full service term working alongside local partners to strengthen the systems, relationships, and infrastructure that help young people and families thrive.

About Blue Grass Resource Center

ENHANCEMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE FOR HIGHLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA, RESIDENTS, THROUGH HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

Position Overview

The RPC Fellow will support staff-led efforts that contribute to the county’s growth and establish opportunities for youth to be engaged in hospitality training programs, and will assist staff and county agencies in identifying career paths within the community for students (cradle to career). The Fellow will provide capacity for community-serving activities associated with the Highland Inn Revitalization Project, an anchor institution on Main Street in Monterey, Virginia, the county seat of Highland County.

The Inn is owned by Blue Grass Resource Center and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is undergoing renovation to reopen. The Fellow will support staff-led efforts to engage additional stakeholders in the existing Highland Community Development Initiative (HCDI) collaborative group. All service will be consistent with the AmeriCorps-approved RPC grant and address unmet community needs.

The host site and Fellow must comply with all prohibited-activity restrictions in 45 CFR 2520.65 and applicable award terms, including restrictions on lobbying, political and electoral activities, religious activities, and prohibited direct benefits. This position does not displace existing staff or volunteers, fill staff vacancies, supplant hiring, or duplicate services already available locally. The Fellow’s activities will supplement, not replace, the responsibilities of paid staff or existing volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Executive Director to develop systems for collecting and organizing information on approved community service activities for funding partner requirements and reports, with staff oversight and responsibility for final reporting and grant compliance.
• Assist staff-led efforts to plan and establish a youth hospitality training program, including researching resources, organizing information, and supporting program planning.
• Research and compile information on potential funding resources for approved community-serving program activities associated with the Highland Inn Revitalization Project, for staff review. Any resource development or fundraising activities must directly support eligible service activities, comply with applicable AmeriCorps requirements and time limits, and remain within the approved grant scope. The Fellow will not independently manage fundraising campaigns, make financial commitments, or raise funds for general operating expenses, endowments, or other ineligible purposes.
• Help provide cross-sector engagement by helping organize community convenings, stakeholder meetings and activities related to “grow your own” career opportunities for students (cradle to career), under staff direction and in support of approved community-service goals.
• Help collect data and information for staff to review and use in decision making for approved community service programming. Staff will retain responsibility for decisions, program direction, and approval of resulting actions..
• Support staff-led collaborative relationships and outreach with local schools, community organizations, and higher education institutions as part of the hospitality training program.
• Work with staff on communications and outreach initiatives, including drafting newsletter content and social media materials related to approved community service programming and the historic preservation and community-serving activities associated with the nonprofit-owned Inn, consistent with the approved RPC award. All materials will be reviewed and approved by authorized staff before publication.
• All functions and activities performed by the AmeriCorps Fellow are completed under the guidance, supervision, and direction of program and host site staff.
• 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 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 RPC Fellows, 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 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.