Note: This is a full-time ACC AmeriCorps position with the City of Cleveland.

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 City of Cleveland

The City of Cleveland is committed to improving the quality of life in the city by strengthening neighborhoods, delivering superior services, embracing the diversity of its citizens, and making Cleveland a desirable, safe city in which to live, work, raise a family, shop, study, play and grow old.

Position Overview

This placement is in a unique spot in Cleveland, a city that is among the worst internet-connected cities of 100,000+ households, even though great progress has been made over the last few years. In January 2024, the City of Cleveland launched a partnership with DigitalC to connect as many previously unconnected households to affordable broadband as possible. In that same year, the City of Cleveland secured $150,000 to run a pilot digital skills workforce development program in local Rec Centers, with programming by selected vendor(s) to begin in January 2027.

Under the guidance, supervision, and direction of program and host site staff, the ACC Fellow will perform direct service activities that support the staff-led implementation of initiatives that contribute to closing the digital divide in Cleveland.

Key Responsibilities

The ACC Member will:

• Support the expansion of community outreach and awareness efforts as this initiative continues into year 3 of a 4-year partnership with DigitalC.
• Assist staff by supporting communication, coordination, and progress tracking for participating community partners implementing various components of the initiative.
• Assist with the coordination and implementation of a pilot digital skills workforce development program at our Rec Centers, called REC-N-TEC.
• Assist staff with collecting, organizing, and documenting information used to track the Workforce Development vendor's performance metrics.
• Document program activities, participant feedback, and implementation outcomes, and share observations and recommendations with staff to inform future program planning and potential expansion from the three pilot Rec Centers to additional sites after 2027.

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 [email protected]

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