Digital Navigator (West Marion Inc.) - ACC Member

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

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.

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.

About the role

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.

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.
• 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

• Attend community events, resource fairs, health equity forums, and other outreach activities as needed; use program-approved outreach materials and messaging.
• 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 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 spring, one in fall) as assigned by program staff and consistent with 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 (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 using information and resources reviewed or approved by program staff; 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; support staff-led coordination to avoid duplication of existing services.

Tracking and Reporting

• Keep records of the number of residents served and the types of assistance provided using program-approved tracking tools and procedures; record only information needed for authorized program reporting.
• Support tracking of 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; 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.

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

Qualifications

• 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

Schedule

Service term: December 7, 2026 – August 13, 2027. Members serve full-time (approximately 40 hours per week), completing 1,200 hours of service over the course of the term. The ACC program does not offer part-time or remote member positions at this time.

Benefits

• $23,300 living stipend (dispersed bi-weekly over the course of the service term)
• $5,220 Segal Education Award through AmeriCorps, applicable to education-related expenses after program concludes (including repayment of qualifying student loans)
• Healthcare coverage (if applicable)
• Access to childcare benefits
• Student loan forbearance during year of service
• Fully-funded ACC Winter Institute during the year (travel, lodging, and per diem stipend covered)