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 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, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, or ASL);
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 most members starting between Sept. 1 - Jan. 31, 2024.

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.

Applications: Submit letter of application, including geographic preference, resume, and contact information for at least three professional references to:

Gail R. Klearman, Managing Attorney – Iowa Legal Aid
666 Walnut Street, 25th Floor;
Des Moines, IA 50309-3950
gklearman@iowalaw.org
515-243-1198 Ext 1678 or 1-800-532-1503  TTY/Relay Iowa: 1-800-735-2942

Iowa Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants upon request
Auxiliary aids and services are available in alternative formats

Background: Iowa Legal Aid seeks applicants to fill 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; improving volunteer management practices; connecting low-income and elderly 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 verbal and written communication skills, in one of the languages most used by low-income Iowans, including Spanish, Bosnian, Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, and/or ASL;
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, and/or volunteer management.

Opening/Closing Date: When filled, with full-time members starting between Sept. 1 – Nov. 30, 2023.

Salary/Benefits: Full-time members receive a modest living stipend ($17,600 for 11 months), student loan forbearance, child care benefit, individual health insurance, and can get an education award of $6,895. Part-time positions are also available.

Applications: Submit letter of application, including geographic preference, resume, and contact information for at least three professional references to:

Gail R. Klearman, Managing Attorney – Iowa Legal Aid
666 Walnut Street, 25th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50309-3950
gklearman@iowalaw.org
515-243-1198 Ext 1678 or 1-800-532-1503
TTY/Relay Iowa: 1-800-735-2942

Iowa Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants upon request
Auxiliary aids and services are available in alternative formats