Career Opportunities
Director of Advocacy
The Rural Center seeks an experienced director of advocacy to lead its growing Rural Counts program. We are seeking a seasoned public policy and community engagement leader who is passionate about rural communities and committed to collaboratively developing policies that will create stronger economies and a higher quality of life for all in North Carolina. The director will lead a talented and energetic team responsible for working with diverse networks of state and federal policymakers, local leaders, and rural champions to research, develop, and advocate for innovative nonpartisan policy solutions for rural North Carolina’s biggest economic development challenges.
Leadership Development AmeriCorps VISTA
The goal of the project is to build capacity in leadership development to support the enhancement and growth of the Center’s statewide leadership training and regional leadership trainings through curriculum development, development of marketing materials, dissemination of information on best practices in rural leadership development, and maintaining and supporting the alumni network through peer networking and continuing education opportunities. As a result of these activities, rural communities across the state will have strong, effective leaders who are engaged in the community’s civic life and economy. The beneficiaries of this project include the communities we serve and their leaders.
Rural Entrepreneurship and Lending AmeriCorps VISTA
The goal of the project is to build capacity in the Rural Center’s entrepreneurship and lending programs to better serve rural entrepreneurs seeking capital, coaching and connections. The VISTA will build capacity in the following project areas: small business lending, small business coaching, connection to small business markets, fundraising, organizational relationships, and community engagement. The VISTA will develop new program materials, outreach strategies, and organizational relationships. As a result of these activities, the Rural Center will be better equipped to serve entrepreneurs across the state of North Carolina. The beneficiaries of this project include the communities and individuals served by the various programs and projects outlined above.
Community Outreach AmeriCorps VISTA
The goal of the project is to build capacity in the Rural Center’s (RC) community outreach efforts for the engagement programs. The VISTA will: assist in the planning & execution of a communications & outreach strategy for the RC’s statewide community engagement initiatives, including the Faith in Rural Communities project, our food & community development efforts & our regional capacity building programs; help develop messaging & build capacity to promote the annual Rural Assembly- an event to celebrate rural NC; develop new program materials, outreach strategies & organizational relationships. Making RC better equipped to serve rural communities across the state. A unique opportunity to enhance communications & support RC’s community outreach.
Community Development and Engagement AmeriCorps VISTA
The goal of the project is to build capacity for the Rural Center’s Engagement programs, including the Food and Community Development and the Faith in Rural Communities programs, to enhance and create new opportunities for food entrepreneurs, local leaders, and faith communities in rural communities to develop new products and serve their communities. This position will be divided between supporting the work of food entrepreneurs and supporting the work of rural faith communities engaged in community development work.