Digital Opportunity Connector (Borderplex Connect) - ACC Member at Lead For America

Note: This is a full-time ACC AmeriCorps position with Borderplex Connect.

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 Borderplex Connect

Borderplex Connect is a regional nonprofit committed to closing the digital divide in the economically challenged areas of Far West Texas and Southern New Mexico. It is a coalition of public, private and nonprofit partners that serves low-income households and rural communities. We are a supporting organization of the El Paso Community Foundation.

We provide free digital fluency (skills) classes in the community including Basic Digital Skills Level 1 and 2 as well as Online Safety & Avoiding Scams. Beginning in Fall 2026, we will also start offering a Health-Focused Digital Skills class. To accomplish this, we will be training a cohort of Community Health Workers on how to teach digital skills so that they will be able to teach classes in the community. This new addition to our curriculum will be offered in El Paso County (TX) and Chaparral (NM).

In addition to digital fluency classes, we also distribute low-cost devices to high-need populations, advance special projects that provide access to affordable internet, provide nonpartisan education and outreach related to digital inclusion, build the network of digital advocates in the region, and promote resources for households to be digitally ready in today's world.

Position Overview

The ACC Member will work to connect residents in the borderplex region with resources and opportunities that relate to digital fluency (skills) training, internet-ready devices, and affordable internet. This work will primarily impact the areas of El Paso County (Texas) and Dona Ana County (New Mexico). The selected Member will be supporting programs and communications with our target audiences -- lower-income households and rural residents -- as well as with our community partners. This service opportunity offers space for creativity, process refinement, and leadership.

The Member's "home base" will be in downtown El Paso at either one of two locations in the 79901 zip code.

Key Responsibilities

The ACC Member will

• Support the digital fluency (skills) education team that delivers digital fluency classes in the community. This includes, but is not limited to, support with registering people for classes, ensuring equipment and supplies are set up/torn down at host sites, maintaining attendance logs, disseminating information to participants, and assistance with organizing presentation materials. The Member may also support the Health-Focused - -- Digital Skills class and related training of Community Health Workers who will teach digital skills in the community.
• Identify and carry out outreach efforts including communicating and disseminating information with the public and community leaders and partner organizations at in-person events and through digital communications. This could include such platforms as fairs, conferences, social media, email, webinars, and special events. Applicants who are fluent in English and Spanish are preferred. Outreach activities will be nonpartisan and will focus on providing information about Borderplex Connect programs, digital skills resources, classes, devices, and other available resources.
• Assist with marketing efforts including refining the ways we interact with our target audiences to promote knowledge sharing, partnership support, and action. Applicants who have talents in graphic design, social media engagement, or mass communication tools are encouraged to specify the types of software or platforms they feel confident using. Marketing activities will support nonpartisan program outreach, public education, and participation in Borderplex Connect programs and will not include activities prohibited by AmeriCorps.
• Provide overall support in keeping our programs and initiatives on their designated time tables. Applicants who are organized and who are also comfortable in multi-tasking are especially encouraged to apply.

The Member's activities will supplement, and will not duplicate or displace, the duties of existing employees, volunteers, or other workers. Member activities will be performed under the supervision of Borderplex Connect staff and will support the approved AmeriCorps program activities.

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.
• Engagement with leaders and stakeholders in the digital divide space from various sectors including government, business, and education.

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.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English)
• Individual with reliable transportation and some travel to events/meetings in the region will be required.
• Preferred: Individual should have their own cellular phone in order to communicate with others. Access to an office phone app will be granted so that the Member can make phone calls using their office-issued phone number.

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.