Application Guide

How to Apply for Solutions Developer/Designer (Job #348) ($92,102 - $101,637)

at Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)

🏢 About Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)

RCAC is a unique organization dedicated to empowering rural communities through technical assistance and capacity-building programs. Working here means contributing directly to improving infrastructure, economic development, and quality of life in underserved areas. The remote-first structure allows you to support meaningful rural initiatives while enjoying flexible work arrangements.

About This Role

As a Solutions Developer/Designer at RCAC, you'll bridge business needs with technical solutions by designing and implementing systems that support rural community programs. This role is impactful because you'll create tools that help staff deliver critical services more efficiently, directly enhancing RCAC's ability to serve communities. You'll be the go-to person for configuring systems, developing custom reports, and training users on internal proprietary systems.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a meeting with program staff to understand their reporting needs, then designing a Power BI dashboard using SQL queries. In the afternoon, you could be configuring a SharePoint site with Power Automate workflows, followed by creating documentation for end-users. You'll regularly switch between development work, stakeholder consultations, and training sessions for RCAC's proprietary systems.

🎯 Who Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) Is Looking For

  • Has 2+ years of hands-on SharePoint development experience, specifically with custom workflows, lists, and integration points
  • Demonstrates practical experience with Microsoft Power Platform (Power Automate for process automation, Power Apps for custom applications, Power BI for data visualization)
  • Possesses strong SQL skills for database querying and reporting, combined with HTML/JavaScript for front-end customization
  • Shows experience in end-user training and system administration, particularly with proprietary or specialized business systems

📝 Tips for Applying to Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)

1

Quantify your SharePoint experience: Instead of 'worked with SharePoint,' specify 'developed 3 custom SharePoint workflows using Power Automate that reduced processing time by 40%'

2

Highlight rural or community-focused experience: Even if indirect, mention any work with nonprofits, government agencies, or underserved populations

3

Create a portfolio link showing Power Platform projects: Include screenshots or demos of Power Apps interfaces or Power BI dashboards you've built

4

Address the training component: Describe specific times you've trained non-technical users on new systems or processes

5

Tailor your resume to RCAC's language: Use terms like 'business solutions,' 'stakeholder collaboration,' and 'system configuration' from their job description

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain why you're drawn to RCAC's mission of rural community assistance and how your technical skills can support that work", 'Provide a specific example of a SharePoint solution you designed that improved business processes, emphasizing collaboration with non-technical stakeholders', 'Describe your experience with the full development lifecycle (design, develop, test, implement) for business solutions', 'Mention your approach to user training and how you ensure systems meet actual user needs rather than just technical requirements']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Explore RCAC's specific programs (like water/wastewater assistance, housing, or economic development) to understand what business solutions they might need
  • Research the challenges rural communities face that RCAC addresses, to understand the context of your work
  • Look into RCAC's annual reports or news section to identify current initiatives or technology projects
  • Understand how nonprofit/community development organizations differ from corporate IT environments in terms of constraints and priorities
Visit Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)'s Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through a SharePoint project where you had to collaborate with non-technical staff to identify requirements and implement a solution
2 How would you approach training rural community staff who may have limited technical experience on a new proprietary system?
3 Describe a time you used Power Automate and Power Apps together to solve a business problem
4 What methods do you use to ensure custom reports and interfaces actually meet stakeholder needs?
5 How do you stay current with Microsoft Power Platform updates, and how would you apply new features to RCAC's work?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on technical skills without demonstrating ability to collaborate with non-technical stakeholders
  • Treating this as a generic SharePoint role without addressing the community-focused mission
  • Neglecting to show experience with the full solution lifecycle (requirements through training and maintenance)

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)!