Iowa Public Health Capacity Building VISTA

Iowa Public Health Capacity Building VISTA

The Public Health Capacity Building VISTA will strengthen the Iowa HHS Division of Public Health by developing sustainable systems that improve how staff communicate, collaborate, and deliver essential public health services. This role directly supports Ameri Corps VISTA’s anti-poverty mission by improving the Division’s ability to reach Iowans who face the greatest health and economic barriers. The VISTA member will expand the work of the SOP Collaborative, Communications Committee, and workforce initiatives by creating standardized processes, communication tools, and onboarding systems.

These improvements enhance staff capacity to serve low-income and ALICE households, rural residents, and communities experiencing health disparities—groups identified as facing significant barriers to care and higher rates of poor health outcomes. By building SOP toolkits, SharePoint hubs, job aids, and templates, the VISTA will improve staff workflow efficiency, consistency, and access to clear guidance. Strengthened internal systems help public health programs operate more effectively, increasing the Division’s ability to address issues such as chronic disease prevention, maternal and child health needs, emergency preparedness, and other services that disproportionately affect low-income Iowans.

The systems, tools, and processes created will remain in place long after the service year, improving the Division’s long-term ability to reduce health-related barriers that contribute to poverty and limit economic opportunity.

The VISTA will build sustainable SOPs, onboarding tools, job aids, communication templates, and SharePoint hubs that strengthen internal systems across the Division of Public Health. They will support the SOP Collaborative and Communications Committee by helping plan meetings, prepare materials, and improve workflow organization. The member will design staff surveys, analyze results, and develop communication and resource improvements that strengthen programs serving low-income and ALICE populations and communities with health disparities.

The VISTA will also help create a standardized onboarding framework, develop role-based orientation materials, and build a centralized onboarding hub. All activities are capacity building and focused on long-term sustainability in support of VISTA’s anti-poverty mission.

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

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

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

• Writing/Editing
• Communications
• General Skills
• Team Work
• Computers/Technology
• Leadership
• Public Speaking
• Public Health
• Community Organization