Rural at Heart
The American Heart Association’s Rural at Heart initiative (formerly HeartCorps) strengthens rural and tribal communities by breaking down barriers to care, expanding access to resources, and empowering residents to take charge of their health.
This professional development opportunity engages individuals—known as Community Connectors—who are passionate about improving health and wellness where they live. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and collaboration with local partners, participants help advance heart health, improve nutrition education, provide self-managed blood pressure training, and share life-saving CPR and Hands-Only CPR skills.
By investing in local talent and equipping community members with the tools to lead change, Rural at Heart is building stronger, healthier communities for generations to come.
Learn more about how rural communities face health gap challenges.
Become a Community Connector
Join the Rural at Heart team as a Community Connector and gain first-class training and hands-on experience while meeting community leaders who can mentor you on your career journey. This opportunity offers the chance to grow personally and professionally as you shape your career path beyond your time with the American Heart Association.
- Type: Full- or part-time (term-based, grant-funded, benefits-eligible)
- Pay: $18.20–$22.20 per hour (geographic differentials apply)
Role Overview
Focus areas include:
- Supporting blood pressure control efforts in clinical and community settings
- Advancing nutrition security through screening, referral, and food access programs
- Increasing community readiness with CPR education and emergency response planning
- Delivering health education to individuals and groups
- Strengthening partnerships with local organizations and American Heart Association teams
Qualifications
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; coursework in public health or health promotion preferred
- Experience: Strong communication, organization, and teamwork skills; commitment to improving rural health
- Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office; ability to manage multiple projects and engage diverse community stakeholders
- Travel: Some local travel required, including evening or weekend availability for community events
This is a grant-funded position that may be renewed for up to two terms based on performance and funding.
Core Competencies
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Organization
- Health Literacy
- Initiative
- Integrity
- Community Focus
- Sound Judgment
The Rural at Heart Experience
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The American Heart Association is supporting tribal health in North Carolina. Watch Rural at Heart: The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.
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Professional development is a big part of Rural at Heart. Watch Rural at Heart: Porter County, Indiana.
Host Sites
If your health center or nonprofit services rural or tribal communities, you can expand your impact through the Rural at Heart initiative. This program advances heart health and brings valuable resources directly to the communities that need them most.
Rural at Heart is focused on empowering rural and tribal areas while creating a dedicated public health workforce. Partnering with the American Heart Association is a meaningful way to extend your organization’s reach and create lasting, positive change.
The Rural at Heart initiative is supported by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and the Truist Charitable Fund.