RIVA AmeriCorps Member

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Apply here https://www.rivaiowa.org/apply/#positions

ABOUT US

RIVA (Refugee and Immigrant Voices in Action) leverages the power of community

by training emerging leaders from refugee and immigrant communities to become

work-readiness trainers. RIVA leaders connect and support fellow refugees with

education, jobs and services to increase economic opportunities for refugees and

economic growth to Iowa.

ABOUT THE ROLE

MORE info here https://www.rivaiowa.org/apply/#positions

RIVA AmeriCorps Program is searching for service-minded individuals to serve

diverse refugee and immigrant communities in Iowa. You will work with community

agencies to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate education, referrals,

outreach, and direct services to refugee and immigrant families in need.

Looking for candidates that have a(n):

• Interest in and respect for different cultures with a commitment to social justice
• Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to communicate in a language of one of Iowa’s refugee communities is a plus, but not required
• Ability and willingness to serve flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends
• Ability to use or learn to use a computer for e-mail communication, online reporting (monthly time reports, quarterly impact data), and preparing monthly success stories/reflections
• Experience training or teaching adults, preferably across racial, cultural, class, and gender differences is a plus

FALL TERM LENGTH / POSITION TYPE

• Full Time (50 weeks) $24,000 PLUS $7,395.00 Education Award
• Half Time (50weeks) $12,000 PLUS $3,697.50 Education Award

Start dates are

• September 14, 2026
• October 12, 2026
• November 9, 2026

Locations:

• Des Moines, IA
• Iowa City, IA
• Cedar Rapids, IA
• Dubuque, IA

SERVICE SCHEDULE

This position requires serving Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm with occasional weekends and evenings required for special events. Sick or personal days are allowed, but members lose possible days to earn the required number of hours needed to successfully complete the term of service. There are additional benefits offered if the member has a compelling personal circumstance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

RIVA AmeriCorps Program Activities

○ Participate in RIVA Program-specific training from RIVA staff and other partnering organizations

○ Attend scheduled RIVA AmeriCorps training throughout the year such as Orientation, Member Monthly Calls, and Life After AmeriCorps training

○ Communicate and serve with a diverse team of staff, AmeriCorps members, volunteers, partner families, and community members.

○ Collect and maintain accurate and consistent data daily through RIVA Impact Data Sheet, and use this data to complete the RIVA AmeriCorps program’s monthly reports every Friday for services

administered and retrospective surveys completed

○ Engage in additional allowable activities that support the AmeriCorps

program design and which help the program meet its goals as

outlined in the approved AmeriCorps application. In no circumstance

members will be asked or allowed to perform prohibited activities.

Site Specific Member Service Activities

• Provide targeted, linguistically and culturally appropriate outreach, assessment, and supportive services
• Assist community organizations that provide tailored work readiness and skill development training
• Facilitate connections between refugee and immigrant communities and the mainstream communities through a collective impact framework
• Provide refugee and immigrant community with appropriate connections to job training and skill development resources through small group workshops and one-on-one advising
• Facilitate refugee and immigrant communities access to community resources
• Remove barriers and increase access to workforce resources for the refugee and immigrant community
• Connect clients to resources for transportation and childcare o Advocate for accessible and equitable workplace environments o Provide wrap around direct services to clients enrolled into WorkReady programing
• Administer translation and interpretation services for partnered employers and social service agencies for at least 50 refugee or immigrant clients

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be high school graduate, GED recipient, working on attaining a diploma or GED during term of service
• At least 17 years of age at the commencement of service
• Citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
• Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check

BENEFITS

• Education Award received upon successful completion of their term of service.
• Living Allowance
• Health care, if applicable
• Childcare coverage if the member qualifies
• Student loan forbearance for eligible loans
• Arabic, French, Swahili, or Spanish proficiency is a plus

APPLY HERE https://www.rivaiowa.org/apply/#positions

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Work Location: In person