RIVA AmeriCorps Capacity Navigator

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

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

TERM LENGTH / POSITION TYPE

• Part-time $11,500 a year PLUS $3,697.5 Education Award

• Term Length 28 weeks

Start 03/31/2025

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

Local Resource Navigation Best Practices Development

• Lead IWNJC AmeriCorps team in creating Services Best Practices Documentation and Handbook
• AmeriCorps Community Navigators will be meeting with Employers and Housing partners in the Iowa City area to establish trusted locations to bring new clients involved in the Welcome House project. The Capacity Navigator will support their efforts and create documentation and best practices that are recorded in a handbook.
• Document a minimum of 10 Employer and Housing relationships. This includes documenting contact information, partner expectations, pros and cons of the locations (such as work hours, pets allowed, etc).
• Coach Community Navigators through goal setting and establishing partners in Employment and Housing.
• Review Community Navigators communications as needed for partnership development (letters of recommendation, emails, etc) and suggest improvements in grammar or structure
• Lead weekly AmeriCorps team meetings to coordinate client services among AmeriCorps members and support correct data collection
• Compile a minimum of 6 Best Practices and Navigation needs for Resources Handbook to be used by AmeriCorps members and volunteers by June 1.
• Examples include: Lessons learned in steps for accessing social services, scripts for Community Navigators in answering questions or applications
• Identify at least 3 local community partners to provide workshops for training Community Navigators and Volunteers in Resource Navigation
• Organize the training events to be completed by June 30
• Document the training

Volunteer Engagement

• Establish a formal volunteer program for Welcome House
• Complete volunteer engagement training.
• Develop volunteer recruitment and sign-up process, focusing on creating a diverse and inclusive volunteer base.
• Organize and facilitate volunteer engagement events. During February and March, hold at least 2 open houses or workshops for volunteer engagement to recruit new volunteers and showcase Welcome House activities at the IWNJC office.
• Develop volunteer recruitment materials with a focus on inclusivity and distribute them in the community
• Create 5 Social Media Posts per Month (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/Threads, etc.).
• Write Quarterly Newsletter Articles (shared via email and community groups).
• Create 2 Church Bulletin Announcements by May 30 (faith-based outreach).
• Create 2 Flyers or Posters by April 30 (distributed to local businesses, libraries, and community centers).
• Write 1 Blog/Website Post per Month (highlighting volunteer impact stories or upcoming needs).
• Create a sign-up process for new volunteers
• Create a tracking and reporting process for volunteer hours
• Create orientation to IWNJC vision and values, Welcome House policies, and activities.
• Provide orientation for volunteers engaging in the Welcome House Program. (ongoing)
• Establish a volunteer schedule and identify the number of volunteers needed to properly support the Welcome House
• Recruit 20 new volunteers through the service term
• Supervise volunteers during their service at the Welcome House.

Fall Event Preparation

• Lead team of AmeriCorps members in preparing for the Fall Event
• Learn about the previous year's event: what worked well and what needs improvement. Identify key program goals for the 2025 Fall Event.
• Set timeline and responsibilities for the AmeriCorps team.
• Begin to lead planning meetings with the AmeriCorps team
• Lead weekly team meetings for event (or more frequently if needed)
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers needed for event preparation. Recruit at least 10 volunteers to work with the Fall Event.
• Lead team outreach efforts to be sure the community is engaged and aware of the even
• Assist the team in contacting a minimum of 20 local businesses, service organizations, and school groups, with a goal of recruiting at least 10 groups to participate in the Fall Event.
• Support logistics such as tracking materials, supplies, event venue, etc
• Create a sustainability folder with key activity charts, timelines, and documentation of volunteer tracking, resource tracking, etc

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

• Arabic, French, Swahili, or Spanish proficiency preferred

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

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

• Iowa City, IA 52240 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $3,698 - $11,500