Digital Navigator (West Marion Inc.) - ACC Member

Note: This is a full-time ACC AmeriCorps position with West Marion 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 West Marion Inc.

The mission of West Marion Inc. is to enhance the quality of life of our residents and overcome racial barriers by building bridges in McDowell County. We do this by showing compassion, advocating for policy and systems change, promoting economic development, sharing resources, empowering youth, and creating equitable outcomes for all.

Position Overview

The Digital Navigator member will support the Digital Bridge Collaborative, a partnership between West Marion, Inc., IPHC en Español, MATCH, and NC Cooperative Extension, to help reduce digital barriers in McDowell County. The member will help provide one-on-one technology assistance at different community locations, help residents access online health services and other resources, assist in planning and supporting digital skills workshops, and participate in community outreach events. Through this work, the member will help residents, especially older adults, low-income families, and people facing language barriers, build confidence using technology, access important services, and become more digitally independent. This will strengthen community connections, improve access to resources, and help create a more equitable community where everyone has the opportunity to participate in the digital world.

Key Responsibilities

• Community-Based Digital Navigation and Outreach
• Provide services at different locations throughout the week based on community needs. Coordinate schedules and assignments with designated program staff. Potential locations include Marion and Old Fort libraries, senior centers, IPHC en Español, and other community partner sites. Service locations and activities will be confirmed with program staff and participating partners.
• Provide patient, resident-directed assistance with navigating websites, online accounts, patient portals, and telehealth technology. The member will not provide medical advice, make clinical decisions, interpret medical information, or perform clinical services.
• Schedule and assist with coordination of appointments based on the weekly schedule and assigned locations.
• Help residents build the skills and confidence to use technology independently.
• Follow established staff guidance and approved procedures when assisting residents and handling devices, accounts, or personal information.
• Community Outreach
• Provide services at different locations throughout the week based on community needs. Potential locations include Marion and Old Fort libraries, senior centers, IPHC en Español, and other community partner sites.
• Attend community events, resource fairs, health equity forums, and other outreach activities as needed. Use program-approved outreach materials and messaging and refer requests for new services or commitments to program staff for review and approval.
• Work with community partners to connect residents with digital resources and support. Coordinate with partners within the member’s assigned role and under staff guidance; the member will not independently establish partnerships or make commitments on behalf of the program.
• Be flexible as schedules, locations, and community needs change. Changes to assignments and schedules will be coordinated with the designated supervisor.
• Educational Sessions
• Help develop and help lead digital skills classes based on community needs. Develop and deliver sessions in coordination with program staff, using staff-approved content and materials.
• Help create and offer at least two educational sessions each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. These sessions will be conducted as assigned by program staff and only to the extent they are consistent with the approved grant and program requirements.
• Assist with partnering with libraries, senior centers, and community partners to plan locations to host sessions. Support staff-led coordination with these partners; program staff will approve arrangements and commitments.
• Potential topics include:
• Basic computer and smartphone skills
• Email and online accounts
• Recognizing scams and staying safe online
• Protecting personal information
• Accessing patient portals and telehealth for technology-navigation purposes only
• Finding and using online resources
• Digital Access and Collaboration
• Work with the four collaborative partners to improve digital access in the community. Perform assigned collaboration activities under program staff guidance and within the member’s service role.
• Help residents learn about available technology and internet access resources. Use information and resources reviewed or approved by program staff and refer questions beyond the member’s role to appropriate staff or service providers.
• Explore opportunities to work with Rutherford County libraries and support digital access through bookmobiles equipped with Starlink. Research potential options and share findings with program staff for review. Any new service arrangements, partnerships, or commitments must be reviewed and approved by authorized program staff
• Assist with coordination with community partners and share observations about service gaps with program staff and support staff-led coordination to avoid duplication of existing services.
• Tracking and Reporting
• Help keep records of the number of residents served and the types of assistance provided. Use program-approved tracking tools and procedures and record only information needed for authorized program reporting.
• Support with tracking appointments, class attendance, and community outreach activities. Maintain records in approved systems and submit updates as directed by the designated supervisor.
• Help identify common digital challenges and unmet needs residents share. Report trends and observations to program staff to support program improvement.
• Help with tracking storytelling for qualitative data by collecting or documenting stories and testimonials only in accordance with program procedures and applicable consent requirements.
• Provide updates to WMI and the collaborative partners to help guide future activities through approved reporting processes and as directed by the designated supervisor.
• Protect residents' privacy and maintain confidential records. Follow applicable organizational and partner-site privacy, confidentiality, and data-security policies; access and share personal information only as authorized and necessary for assigned duties; and do not retain confidential information on unauthorized devices or accounts. Report privacy concerns or suspected data incidents promptly to the designated supervisor.

All functions and activities performed by the AmeriCorps Member are completed under the guidance, supervision, and direction of program and host site staff.

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 [email protected]

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