RIVA AmeriCorps Member

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

About Us

Refugee and Immigrant Voices in Action (RIVA) 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 in Iowa.

About the Role

RIVA AmeriCorps is searching for service-minded individuals to serve diverse refugee and immigrant communities in Iowa. Members will partner with community agencies to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate education, referrals, outreach, and direct services to families in need.

Members serve in one of two tracks:

• Community Navigators focus on direct client support, outreach, and workforce readiness connections.
• Capacity Navigators focus on strengthening host site capacity through training, volunteer management, and program development.

Both roles are vital to building inclusive, welcoming communities and increasing access to opportunity.

We are looking for candidates who that have a/an:

• 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

SPRING TERM LENGTH / POSITION TYPE

• Half Time (30 weeks): $12,000 PLUS $3,697.50 Education Award
• Quarter-Time (20 weeks): $6,000 living allowance $1,956.35 Education Award (Community Navigators only)

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Start dates are

• January 19, 2026
• February 16, 2026
• March, 16 2026
• April 27, 2026

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 ResponsibilitiesRIVA AmeriCorps Program Activities

• Participate in RIVA and AmeriCorps training sessions (orientation, monthly calls, Life After AmeriCorps)
• Serve collaboratively with staff, members, volunteers, and community partners
• Collect and report accurate data weekly using RIVA Impact tools
• Engage in allowable program activities that support AmeriCorps goals

Community Navigator

• Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach, assessment, and supportive services
• Connect clients to job training, skill development, transportation, childcare, and workplace advocacy resources
• Facilitate small group workshops and one-on-one advising for workforce readiness
• Deliver translation and interpretation services for employers and agencies
• Support wraparound services for WorkReady program participants

Capacity Navigator

• Provide job readiness training using the Northstar curriculum
• Assist with data collection, peer support, and troubleshooting for RIVA tools
• Recruit and manage volunteers; co-organize community events (MLK Day, AmeriCorps Week, Job Fair)
• Create promotional materials, sustainability binders, and host site videos
• Collect stories, photos, and videos to highlight member and client success
• Support health education through the RIVA Voice for Health Campaign
• Provide peer-to-peer feedback to strengthen program growth

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or working toward completion during service
• At least 17 years of age at start of service
• U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident
• Must pass National Service Criminal History Check
• Language proficiency in Arabic, French, Swahili, or Spanish is a plus

Benefits

• Living allowance
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion
• Health insurance (if applicable)
• Childcare coverage (if eligible)
• Student loan forbearance (for qualifying loans)
• Flexible schedule and professional development opportunities
• Employee assistance and referral programs

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

Job Type: Full-time, part time, temporary

Benefits:

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

Work Location: In person

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Temporary

Pay: $6,000.00 - $12,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement

Work Location: In person

Salary : $6,000 - $12,000