Note: This is a full-time ACC AmeriCorps position with Community Connections, Inc.

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 serve 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 Community Connections, Inc.

Our mission is to connect people with disabilities, developmental delays, and complex needs to the resources they choose to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. We do this through our state and locally-supported programs: case management for long term community-based programs, early intervention for young children with delays, family support for families of people with disabilities, and a community care hub connecting providers of social and health care across our region.

Position Overview

This service opportunity will provide capacity-building support to a new AI initiative within Community Connections, working closely with operational staff and the AI contractor to collect information on organizational and stakeholders needs and explore options for implementing safe and appropriate solutions for disability services. The Member will have the opportunity to assist with collaboration between community organizations across the region, learn from experts in AI design and development as part of approved training and service activities, and prepare research-based recommendations for staff review to support creative solutions at individual, organizational, and community levels.

Key Responsibilities

The ACC Member will:

• Cybersecurity Readiness
• Conduct organizational cyber hygiene assessments using staff-approved tools, checklists, and frameworks.
• Assist community organizations in identifying common cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities by compiling assessment findings and sharing them with authorized staff and participating organizations.
• Research and compile cybersecurity resources, training materials, and guidance documents for staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Assist authorized staff by researching, drafting, and documenting cybersecurity policies, procedures, and incident response protocols; final approval, adoption, and enforcement remain the responsibility of organizational staff.
• Collect and organize information to support cybersecurity risk assessments and digital resilience planning.
• Support the Data Governance Committee of SW Colorado Cares by assisting staff with coordinating meetings, researching community-informed practices, documenting discussions, and assisting participating organizations with drafting shared agreements; committee members and authorized organizational staff retain decision-making and approval authority.
• Research and compile data governance best practices to inform the work of the Data Governance Committee.
• Track project activities, maintain records, and prepare reports demonstrating outcomes and impact in accordance with established procedures and staff guidance.
• Collaborate with community stakeholders to identify cybersecurity needs and opportunities for improvement and share findings with authorized staff.
• Support preparedness efforts related to cyber incidents, business continuity, and operational resilience through research, resource development, and staff-directed planning activities.
• Assist with evaluating cybersecurity training effectiveness and documenting findings and recommendations for staff review.
• AI Readiness and Digital Literacy
• Support the project team’s implementation of AI solutions by conducting research, preparing educational materials, gathering user feedback, and documenting implementation activities in coordination with Community Connections, the host site, and the Center for Rural AI; authorized staff retain responsibility for selecting, approving, and deploying AI systems.
• Develop educational resources that increase AI literacy and awareness of the benefits, limitations, and risks of AI technologies for staff review and use in approved program activities.
• Support community organizations in identifying opportunities to responsibly integrate AI tools into programs and operations by researching potential applications and sharing findings with staff; organizational leaders retain responsibility for adoption and implementation decisions.
• Research emerging AI tools, trends, and best practices relevant to community needs.
• Demonstrate safe and ethical use of AI technologies, including privacy, security, transparency, and responsible data practices, in accordance with staff-approved guidance and organizational procedures.
• Create guides, tutorials, and resource materials that improve access to AI knowledge and skills for staff review and use in community education activities.
• Collect feedback from program participants and stakeholders to inform continuous improvement of AI readiness initiatives, following approved consent, privacy, and data-handling procedures.
• Support the development of organizational AI governance practices, policies, and guidelines by researching best practices and preparing drafts for authorized staff review and approval.
• Conduct outreach activities to engage underserved populations in AI education and digital skills development in coordination with program staff and community partners.
• Assist in measuring and reporting AI readiness program outcomes and participant learning gains by collecting, compiling, and documenting program data in accordance with established procedures.
• Cybersecurity and AI
• Build relationships with community organizations, partners, and residents to identify digital resilience and technology education needs in coordination with program staff.
• Promote equitable access to technology, cybersecurity resources, and AI literacy opportunities through approved outreach, education, and resource-sharing activities.
• Maintain accurate program records and collect data required for AmeriCorps performance measurement and reporting in accordance with program procedures, confidentiality requirements, and staff guidance.
• Participate in training, professional development, and service activities required by AmeriCorps and the host organization.
• Support special projects and initiatives that are included in the approved AmeriCorps program design and advance community digital resilience, cybersecurity awareness, and AI readiness.
• Represent the organization professionally at meetings, workshops, community events, and stakeholder engagements as assigned and under appropriate staff guidance.
• Contribute to the development of tools, resources, and recommendations that strengthen organizational and community capacity for staff review and use in advancing approved program goals.

All activities performed by the AmeriCorps Member will occur under staff supervision and within the approved AmeriCorps position description and program scope. The Member serves in a direct service and capacity-building role and may not independently manage programs, supervise staff or contractors, determine eligibility, engage in fundraising or grant writing leadership, or perform duties that duplicate, displace, or supplant employees or contractors.

Learning & Development Opportunities

As an ACC Member, 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 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 December 7th, 2026 - August 13th, 2027. Members will serve full-time (approximately 40 hours per week), completing 1200 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 $23,300 living stipend (dispersed bi-weekly over the course of the service term)
• A $5,220 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 ACCinfo@leadforamerica.org

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