Justice Advocate AmeriCorps Member Positions

Background:Iowa Legal Aid seeks applicants to fill part-time AmeriCorps member positions for its regional offices in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Waterloo, subject to funding availability. Iowa Legal Aid provides free, high quality legal education, advice and representation to low-income and elderly Iowans with civil legal problems that most dramatically affect poor and vulnerable Iowans.

Responsibilities: Individual AmeriCorps members will participate in various tasks that can include: helping seniors, veterans, immigrants, people with disabilities and other low-income Iowans get free legal help; enhancing the unified client intake system; increasing outreach to underserved Iowans; advancing self-help legal education; recruiting and managing volunteers; connecting low-income Iowans to financial/social supports; enhancing Iowa Legal Aid’s website; performing public relations activities.

Qualifications: We seek applicants who communicate well with individuals and groups, both verbally and in writing, and are committed to helping make equal access to justice a reality for all Iowans. In compliance with federal law, members will be required to verify identity and status as a US citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident, and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon enrollment. Applicants should have some or all of the following:

1. Background working with people who are low-income, elderly, victims of domestic/sexual abuse, from other cultural and/or ethnic backgrounds, and/or have disabilities;

2. Bi-lingual skills (e.g. Spanish, Bosnian, Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, or American Sign Language);

3. Ability to use computers to organize information, update website, and/or perform research;

4. College or community college;

5. Background in journalism, teaching, social work, law, design, and/or volunteer management.

Opening/Closing Date: When filled, with members starting by May 31, 2023.

Salary/Benefits: Stipend and education award based on term of service.  The number of weeks required depends on the type of service term, with none being for less than 10 weeks or more than 46 weeks.