Volunteer Engagement Capacity Building VISTA

This role directly contributes to alleviating poverty by strengthening volunteer-driven support that expand access to health, social, and community resources for low-income Iowans. The Volunteer Engagement Capacity Building VISTA will strengthen Iowa’s statewide volunteer ecosystem by enhancing volunteer engagement capacity across nonprofits, volunteer centers, local governments, and Iowa HHS programs. Iowa communities rely heavily on volunteers for essential services such as aging support, youth programming, public health efforts, disaster response, and community development- but many organizations lack the infrastructure, tools, and training needed to manage volunteers effectively.

By expanding volunteer pathways, the VISTA will help connect individuals to opportunities that improve community health outcomes, create supportive career development environments, and reinforce services relied upon by Iowans experiencing or at risk of poverty. Drawing from the Volunteer Iowa State Service Plan and the Iowa HHS Strategic Plan, this VISTA will support statewide improvements by optimizing volunteer systems like Get Connected, developing training and onboarding tools, analyzing volunteer engagement data, and creating resources that help organizations recruit, manage, and retain volunteers more effectively.

The member will strengthen both external partners (nonprofits, volunteer centers, community-based organizations) and internal Iowa HHS divisions seeking to build volunteer pathways that strengthen navigation services, aging supports, mobility initiatives, and community coordination. The VISTA will research best national practices, identify gaps and barriers to volunteering (especially for older adults, youth, and rural communities), and help modernize the statewide volunteer infrastructure.

All work is capacity building and will leave behind sustainable, scalable tools that support long-term volunteer engagement and community resilience across Iowa.

All activities emphasize building systems that indirectly reduce poverty by increasing volunteer capacity within programs addressing social determinants of health such as access to care, aging supports, behavioral health, and economic stability. The VISTA will strengthen Iowa’s volunteer capacity by optimizing the Get Connected volunteer portal, developing statewide outreach and training resources, and supporting internal volunteer engagement initiatives within Iowa HHS.

The member will conduct research on volunteer engagement models, analyze data, and create tools such as onboarding guidance, volunteer manager templates, and best practice guides. The VISTA will help plan trainings, workshops, and recognition initiatives while improving statewide volunteer systems and supporting underserved communities. All work builds long-term capacity for organizations that rely on volunteers to meet essential needs.

• Childcare assistance if eligible
• Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend
• Health Coverage*
• Living Allowance
• Relocation Allowance
• Training

For details about Ameri Corps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit

• Car recommended
• Permits attendance at school during off hours
• Permits working at another job during off hours

• Community and Economic Development
• Community Outreach
• Education
• Health
• Neighborhood Revitalization
• Technology

• Computers/Technology
• Education
• Leadership
• Public Speaking
• Recruitment
• Teaching/Tutoring
• Writing/Editing
• General Skills
• Non-Profit Management
• Social Services
• Team Work

Ameri Corps VISTA

Volunteer Engagement Capacity Building VISTA

01/11/2027 - 01/10/2028

Full Time

High school diploma/GED

Minimum: 18 Maximum:
None

IOWA

From 09/11/2026 To 12/31/2026

Benjamin Cohen

321 E 12th Street

Des Moines IA 50319

benjamin.cohen

www.volunteeriowa.org