Opportunities From: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Help Iowa strengthen youth volunteer engagement statewide—gain experience in community partnership development, volunteer coordination, and youth-focused programming.

As a Youth Volunteer Engagement VISTA, you will support a statewide initiative to help nonprofits and community partners build volunteer and service-learning programs that empower young people to serve and lead. Your work will ensure that all youth have meaningful opportunities to engage in service, helping them develop skills and join programs that set them up for success. You’ll collaborate with Volunteer Iowa, Iowa HHS programs, nonprofit organizations, K-12 schools, colleges, and youth stakeholders to expand volunteer opportunities, strengthen recognition efforts, and elevate youth voice across Iowa. This is a chance to make a lasting impact while building skills in community engagement, program development, and cross‑sector collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Assess current youth volunteer opportunities and recognition programs across Iowa. Research state and national best practices that support inclusive youth engagement. Identify and build partnerships with schools, volunteer centers, after‑school programs, mentoring programs, foster care programs, Juvenile Court Services, municipalities, and nonprofits that engage youth in service. Collaborate with the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council and participate in the HHS Youth Advisory Council to gather youth feedback and co‑create solutions that reduce barriers to service. Coordinate youth volunteer recognition initiatives, including a Youth Volunteer Recognition Spotlight. Identify and promote successful models of youth service to highlight statewide. Develop and maintain youth volunteer resources on the Volunteer Iowa website and create guidance for posting youth opportunities on the Get Connected platform. Create content highlighting youth service for social media, newsletters, and local media in partnership with community organizations. Support the expansion of youth volunteer opportunities through trainings on service learning, project development, and virtual volunteer fairs. Leverage national Days of Service (9/11, MLK Day, Global Youth Service Day) to promote youth participation in community service. Provide administrative support related to youth engagement initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

Strong organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills. Ability to write clear, actionable documentation and create outreach content. Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively with partners Interest in youth development, education, volunteer coordination, community engagement, or public service. Tech‑savvy, with the ability to learn and use platforms for communication, project tracking, and volunteer management.

Timeframe: 1 Year Full Time Position (35-40 hours/5 Days a Week)

Education level: High school diploma/GED

Age Requirement: Minimum 18 Years Old  

Accepting Applications From:  03/04/2026 To 08/01/2026

Benefits of Serving:

Professional development and mentorship from experienced Volunteer Iowa and HHS staff. Hands‑on experience in community engagement, youth development, and program design.Exposure to statewide volunteer coordination strategies and youth service initiatives. Networking opportunities with state agencies, schools, courts, and community organizations. Record of national service to support resume and future career advancement.

AmeriCorps VISTA Benefits:

Living allowance paid biweekly End‑of‑service award (Segal Education Award or cash stipend) Relocation assistance if eligible Health coverage* Childcare assistance if eligible Access to AmeriCorps training and career development resources

*For details about VISTA healthcare benefits, visit https://americorpsvista.imglobal.com/.

Volunteer Agrees To:

Adhere to guidelines provided by Volunteer Iowa, Iowa HHS, and AmeriCorps VISTA. Maintain a respectful and professional demeanor throughout the project. Devote sufficient time and energy to fulfill the outlined position requirements. Acknowledge that this is an unpaid, volunteer AmeriCorps VISTA position.

More about the position at this link.

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Launch your career in public service this summer—gain hands-on experience helping Iowans access essential benefits while learning the inner workings of state programs and building skills that employers value.

 

Join Iowa HHS this summer as part of a team dedicated to helping Iowans access essential economic supports. As a VISTA Summer Associate, you will assist with eligibility processes and provide customer service to help individuals and families get the benefits they need, while also contributing to system improvements that make these processes clearer and more efficient. This unique role blends direct service with capacity-building, giving you hands-on experience in public assistance delivery, policy application, and process design—skills that translate to careers in human services, public administration, and program management.

 

Duties and Responsibilities: Assist with eligibility determinations for Supplemental EBT (S-EBT) and related programs. Provide customer service support, answering questions and guiding applicants through processes. Enter information accurately into Forms Studio and S-EBT systems. Document workflows and create job aids for staff and future volunteers. Collaborate with HHS team members to identify process improvements and share feedback.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: Strong communication and customer service skills. Ability to learn and apply program policies and procedures. Detail-oriented with accurate data entry skills. Comfortable working independently and as part of a team. Interest in public service, social work, or program operations.

 

Timeframe:

Length of Commitment: 10 weeks (June 1 – early August)
Total Hours: Full-time summer associate term
Scheduling: Monday–Friday, standard business hours
Worksite: River Place Office (Hybrid options may be available)

 

Benefits of Serving: Professional development and mentorship from experienced HHS staff. Exposure to statewide systems and eligibility processes. Hands-on experience in customer service and program operations. Networking opportunities with state agencies and partners. Record of national service for resume and career advancement.

 

Volunteer Agrees To: Adhere to guidelines provided by Iowa HHS and AmeriCorps VISTA. Maintain a respectful and professional demeanor throughout the project. Devote sufficient time and energy to fulfill the outlined position requirements. Acknowledge that this is an unpaid, volunteer position offered through AmeriCorps VISTA.

 

AmeriCorps VISTA Compliance Note: Summer Associates may perform direct service tasks as part of their role. Prohibited activities still apply (e.g., lobbying, partisan politics, religious instruction, voter registration, direct benefit to for-profit entities).

 

Launch your career in public service this summer—gain hands-on experience helping Iowans access essential benefits while learning the inner workings of state programs and building skills that employers value.

 

Join Iowa HHS this summer as part of a team dedicated to helping Iowans access essential economic supports. As a VISTA Summer Associate, you will assist with eligibility processes and provide customer service to help individuals and families get the benefits they need, while also contributing to system improvements that make these processes clearer and more efficient. This unique role blends direct service with capacity-building, giving you hands-on experience in public assistance delivery, policy application, and process design—skills that translate to careers in human services, public administration, and program management.

 

Duties and Responsibilities: Assist with eligibility determinations for Supplemental EBT (S-EBT) and related programs. Provide customer service support, answering questions and guiding applicants through processes. Enter information accurately into Forms Studio and S-EBT systems. Document workflows and create job aids for staff and future volunteers. Collaborate with HHS team members to identify process improvements and share feedback.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: Strong communication and customer service skills. Ability to learn and apply program policies and procedures. Detail-oriented with accurate data entry skills. Comfortable working independently and as part of a team. Interest in public service, social work, or program operations.

 

Timeframe:

Length of Commitment: 10 weeks (June 1 – early August)
Total Hours: Full-time summer associate term
Scheduling: Monday–Friday, standard business hours
Worksite: River Place Office (Hybrid options may be available)

 

Benefits of Serving: Professional development and mentorship from experienced HHS staff. Exposure to statewide systems and eligibility processes. Hands-on experience in customer service and program operations. Networking opportunities with state agencies and partners. Record of national service for resume and career advancement.

 

Volunteer Agrees To: Adhere to guidelines provided by Iowa HHS and AmeriCorps VISTA. Maintain a respectful and professional demeanor throughout the project. Devote sufficient time and energy to fulfill the outlined position requirements. Acknowledge that this is an unpaid, volunteer position offered through AmeriCorps VISTA.

 

AmeriCorps VISTA Compliance Note: Summer Associates may perform direct service tasks as part of their role. Prohibited activities still apply (e.g., lobbying, partisan politics, religious instruction, voter registration, direct benefit to for-profit entities).

 

Launch your career in public service this summer—gain hands-on experience helping Iowans access essential benefits while learning the inner workings of state programs and building skills that employers value.

 

Join Iowa HHS this summer as part of a team dedicated to helping Iowans access essential economic supports. As a VISTA Summer Associate, you will assist with eligibility processes and provide customer service to help individuals and families get the benefits they need, while also contributing to system improvements that make these processes clearer and more efficient. This unique role blends direct service with capacity-building, giving you hands-on experience in public assistance delivery, policy application, and process design—skills that translate to careers in human services, public administration, and program management.

 

Duties and Responsibilities: Assist with eligibility determinations for Supplemental EBT (S-EBT) and related programs. Provide customer service support, answering questions and guiding applicants through processes. Enter information accurately into Forms Studio and S-EBT systems. Document workflows and create job aids for staff and future volunteers. Collaborate with HHS team members to identify process improvements and share feedback.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: Strong communication and customer service skills. Ability to learn and apply program policies and procedures. Detail-oriented with accurate data entry skills. Comfortable working independently and as part of a team. Interest in public service, social work, or program operations.

 

Timeframe:

Length of Commitment: 10 weeks (June 1 – early August)
Total Hours: Full-time summer associate term
Scheduling: Monday–Friday, standard business hours
Worksite: River Place Office (Hybrid options may be available)

 

Benefits of Serving: Professional development and mentorship from experienced HHS staff. Exposure to statewide systems and eligibility processes. Hands-on experience in customer service and program operations. Networking opportunities with state agencies and partners. Record of national service for resume and career advancement.

 

Volunteer Agrees To: Adhere to guidelines provided by Iowa HHS and AmeriCorps VISTA. Maintain a respectful and professional demeanor throughout the project. Devote sufficient time and energy to fulfill the outlined position requirements. Acknowledge that this is an unpaid, volunteer position offered through AmeriCorps VISTA.

 

AmeriCorps VISTA Compliance Note: Summer Associates may perform direct service tasks as part of their role. Prohibited activities still apply (e.g., lobbying, partisan politics, religious instruction, voter registration, direct benefit to for-profit entities).