Opportunities From: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Shape the future of youth volunteering in Iowa! Lend your voice and gain experience in civic engagement, program development, and youth leadership while helping strengthen service opportunities statewide.

 As a Youth Service Committee Volunteer with Volunteer Iowa, you will play a key role in identifying and implementing strategies that increase youth‑initiated and youth‑led volunteering and service learning. This opportunity is intentionally designed by youth and for youth, ensuring that young people lead the vision and decision‑making that shape service efforts across the state. Serving as part of an Iowa Youth Service Committee member, you’ll collaborate with professionals, partners, and peers to elevate youth voice and build sustainable structures that support community service such as creating a statewide volunteer recognition program, reviewing grant applications to award funding to programs, lead trainings for both youth and adults on the importance of youth voice and service. Apply today to help shape a more engaged, service‑minded generation.

Note: This opportunity is only open for youth ages 13-18 years old. If you are interested in applying to support this work and over the age of 18, please reach out about joining our Stakeholder group.

Duties and Responsibilities:

·       Help identify strategies to expand youth‑led and youth‑initiated service opportunities.

·       Contribute to planning and implementing capacity‑building efforts for statewide youth service.

·       Provide feedback and youth insights to inform program design, resources, and policy recommendations.

·       Participate in meetings, discussions, and project tasks as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

·        Must be a youth participant (ages 13 to 18), committed to uplifting youth voices.

·        Interest in youth leadership, community service, civic engagement, or service‑learning.

·        Strong communication skills and willingness to share youth perspectives.

·        Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.

·       No prior experience required—just enthusiasm and commitment.

Timeframe: This program follows the school year calendar from August to June. Individuals can apply to join in this work at any time throughout the year.
Meeting Frequency: Monthly
Estimated Hours per Month: 1 hour plus additional time preparing for meetings, developing resources, etc.
Location: Virtual Meetings, youth from anywhere in the state can apply!

Benefits of Serving:

·       Leadership experience that strengthens college, scholarship, and career applications.

·       Opportunities to directly influence statewide youth service initiatives.

·       Skill‑building in teamwork, communication, and project development.

·       Networking with Volunteer Iowa staff, statewide partners, and youth leaders.

·       Meaningful experience contributing to community impact across Iowa.

Ready to Make a Difference? Apply to Join Volunteer Iowa’s Youth Service Committee!

Contact Kamryn Ryan with questions or concerns at kamryn.ryan@volunteeriowa.org

 

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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).