Position Description: American Connection Corps (ACC) Member serving as a Digital Navigator.
Deliver digital skills training to neighbors in your community! You don't need to be a tech expert. If you're patient, customer-service focused, and willing to learn along with the people you're assisting on how to use internet-enabled devices and develop digital skills to meet their needs online, then we invite you apply!
Host Partner: University of Idaho Extension – Digital Economy Program (DEP)
AmeriCorps Program: Lead for America (LFA) - American Connection Corps (ACC)
Position Title: Digital Navigator
- 1700 Hours (September 2024 - July 2025)
- Full Time, 40 hours per week
Service Area Location: Saint Maries, Idaho serving Benewah County & the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.
Why consider an AmeriCorps Term of Service?
AmeriCorps is an opportunity for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to give their time and talent to strengthen communities. Be a part of something bigger, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for your service!
Host Organization Mission:
The Digital Economy Program’s (DEP) mission is to reduce the digital divide, extending the benefits of digitalization to all Idahoans, so no one is left behind, nor left offline, in the growing digital economy. The program provides learning opportunities for Idahoans focused on basic digital skills, retraining for remote work, and helping entrepreneurs and business owners access new markets and expand their sales using online venues. The DEP is a community development program of the University of Idaho Extension. Through a state-wide network of faculty and staff, Extension provides reliable, research-based education and information to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. Learn more at www.uidaho.edu/digital-economy.
POSITION SUMMARY
The expansion of broadband internet access in Idaho’s rural communities brings economic development opportunities, improved education access, telehealth, and overall quality of life. Digital Navigators will play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide by working within rural, underserved communities to provide digital skills training, outreach, and support. Digital Navigators will promote and deliver DEP services locally and work alongside local leaders and community partners to improve internet access, adoption and digital opportunity in Idaho’s rural and underserved communities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Host Site Specific Activities:
- Promote and implement University of Idaho Extension Digital Economy Program’s courses and programming in assigned service area; support place-based learners with digital skill building to access and complete University of Idaho online courses.
- Research the local current state of digital inclusion needs and barriers; provide a detailed report of findings for DEP and local stakeholders and utilize this information to help you identify areas of additional programming that would reduce the digital divide and increase one or more of the following:
- Broadband internet affordability and access
- Access to internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user
- Access to digital skills training and technical assistance
- Ability to utilize applications and online content per their individual needs
- Utilize established digital literacy curricula to focus primarily on teaching digital skills to a diverse audience through various platforms, both online and in-person, while monitoring and tracking client progress. Have digital skills offerings at local libraries regularly.
- Identify and develop partnerships with local organizations such as University of Idaho Extension County offices, libraries, schools, community action agencies, health clinics, senior centers, workforce development centers, youth STEM activities and others to implement digital skilling training programs, ensuring that all Idahoans have access to and can utilize the internet for telehealth, education, jobs, and social well-being.
- Identify and research outreach programs that could provide underserved populations with access to effective internet services and devices, as well as digital skilling programs. Identify which community partners might be helpful to engage to deploy those programs and which internet providers offer affordable plan options for low-income households in your service area.
- Coordinate marketing and promotion of digital skills programming and other services through public relation initiatives and networking/collaborating with government, economic, educational, and other organizations.
- Collect data on services and programming you deliver locally; provide data and information to DEP to assist with the preparation of reports, impact statements, and success stories.
- Engage with any local steering committee of diverse stakeholders, such as a Broadband Action Team, to help promote broadband internet access as an important part of local economic development. Champion the development of local Digital Access Plan focused on internet adoption that can be used in combination with infrastructure expansion plans for local strategic planning efforts.
- Ensure a post-service sustainability plan by engaging local partners to integrate digital adoption and inclusion programs into their regular programming.
- Complete all University of Idaho required trainings and DEP onboarding processes and trainings; attend required DEP meetings; carefully track and report data and information as outlined by the DEP.
ACC Program Activities :
- Conduct an initial listening tour in the first 1-2 months to assess community needs by hosting individual or group conversations with community members that represent the diverse range of demographics present in your community.
- Complete bi-weekly timesheets and monthly impact reports.
- Meet monthly 1:1 with your designated ACC Program Officer.
- Complete key training modules and certifications, including On3Learn eCourses.
- Attend required ACC meetings and trainings, including bi-weekly Pods, quarterly training retreats, and Life After LFA webinar series.
- Lead event planning and implement activities for two National Days of Service in your local area for both MLK Day of Service (January) and AmeriCorps Week (March).
- When applicable, recruit and coordinate local community volunteers to ensure buy-in and long-term sustainability of your projects.
- Serve productively and effectively across service environments and adhere to LFA, host site, and AmeriCorps policies and procedures.
- Meet AmeriCorps service hour benchmarks and complete full term of service (1700 hour minimum with service ending on AUGUST 8, 2025).
COMPETENCIES
Required knowledge, skills and abilities for all ACC AmeriCorps Members: Comfortable speaking to groups and giving short presentations on a topic; researching complex topics; facilitating meetings and discussions; attending virtual and online events; good written and verbal communication skills (including phone and email), and possess basic skills related to Excel/Google sheets and notetaking.
Additional Host Site Specific competencies:
Digital Navigators must be proficient in assisting others with computers and the internet for everyday tasks and activities; have experience researching potential solutions/answers to technology related questions; demonstrate a willingness to attend trainings to grow technical skills to assist others; excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills; ability to work proactively with minimal supervision; commitment to equity and opportunity for underserved Idahoans; experience working within rural communities preferred. Experience and/or interest in teaching or adult education is preferred. Bilingual skills are preferred, but not required.
Digital Navigators must be willing to travel within their assigned service area regularly, must possess a valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle (mileage reimbursement provided to conduct position responsibilities), and current vehicle insurance. Use of a personal cell phone may be required. Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To serve in AmeriCorps, you must:
- Be 17 years of age or older (no upper age restriction)
- Be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident
- Possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Pass a National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC) that includes: an FBI fingerprint check, a National Sex Offender Registry check, and state-specific criminal history checks for both the State of Service and State of Residence.
- Not hold other full-time employment; other obligations should be temporary or part-time in nature and must not interfere with the program schedule and requirements (i.e. 35-40 hours/week, training dates, etc.). (ACC Program specific requirement)
- Not be enrolled in a full-time Undergraduate or Professional degree program during the term of service. (ACC Program specific requirement)
- Agree to maintain full healthcare coverage during the entirety of the term of service, recognizing that LFA provides healthcare coverage to all full-time Members that are not otherwise covered.
BENEFITS
Full-time Members Receive:
- $33,000 stipend
- Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage (available to those who are not already enrolled in Medicaid or other State plan, a spouse’s plan, or a family member’s health care plan)
- Student Loan Forbearance and Interest Accrual Payments (for most Federal loans)
- Childcare Support
- Upon successful completion of AmeriCorps term of service, eligible to receive Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395 that can be applied to current educational expenses at eligible institutions or to repay qualified student loans.
Training
- ACC Orientation & Leadership Training
- ACC Winter Training Institute with your cohort
- Scholarship opportunity to attend the National Digital Inclusion Alliance summit or a similar professional conference of your choice
- ACC Graduation ceremony and summit
- Additional training as provided by the host site
Support
- Monthly 1:1 calls with a dedicated ACC Program Officer to support your professional and personal goals and planning for the future.
- Regular virtual Zoom trainings and pod sessions with your cohort.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program for legal, financial, tax, and mental health resources.
- Regular calls with your host site supervisor and cohort
Alumni
- Financial incentives to further your education, including scholarships, discounts, and waivers, through Lead For America's partnerships with prestigious educational institutions across the country.
- Membership in a lifelong alumni network of talented, passionate, and dynamic leaders across the country.
Lead For America is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. Lead For America’s management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, team member activities, access to facilities and programs and general treatment during employment.
Lead For America will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation of an otherwise qualified applicant, AmeriCorps member, or team member related to an individual’s: physical or mental disability; sincerely held religious beliefs and practices; and/or any other reason required by applicable law, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship upon Lead For America's business operations. Any applicant or team member who needs an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of their position should contact their assigned supervisor or ACC Program Officer for more information.
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary
Pay: $19.41 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- Childcare
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Loan forgiveness
- Mileage reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Payment frequency:
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Application Question(s):
- Are you a U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident?
- Are you 17 years of age or older by the start of service?
- Have you already served four (4) or more AmeriCorps and/or VISTA terms?
- In connection with my service to the ACC AmeriCorps Program, I hereby authorize the ACC AmeriCorps Program and University of Idaho to conduct a criminal background check on my behalf.
- As an ACC Member, you will be serving alongside people with diverse lived experiences and political perspectives. Have you ever changed your mind, or seen the world differently, due to a relationship with someone from another political background or lived experience? How have you maintained positive/meaningful relationships with others who have different viewpoints/perspectives than yourself?
- Tell us about a time that you had to bounce back in the face of difficulty. What did you do to overcome the obstacles? Where did you draw your motivation to persevere? What role did you play, and what was the outcome? How has failure or challenge sharpened, or reshaped, your values?
- What is your connection to the community listed in this position description that you wish to serve?
- What specific talents, skillsets, passions, and lived experience do you bring to tackle the challenges of increasing Internet adoption in this service area? How would increasing digital access and adoption impact these communities, and aid in addressing local challenges?
- Do you hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent?
- If selected, I understand my full participation during the ACC Program is required from September 2024 - July 2025. I am willing and able to accept the following living allowance and benefits package for 1,700 hours of service (one program year): $33,000 Stipend, $7,395 AmeriCorps education award, and additional benefits as noted in the position overview.
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Saint Maries, ID: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
