Pre K Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary Youth Literacy Specialist Example Contract dates: September 1st, 2026 - August 14th, 2026 (50 Week Contract) September 14th, 2026 - August 28th, 2027 (50 Week Contract) *Contract start and end dates are flexible and rotate on a bi-weekly schedule 1200 Hour Contract - Minimum of 27 hours/week Compensation: Living Allowance Total: $15,600 ($624.00 -taxes every 2 weeks over 50 weeks) + Education Award: $5,176.50 General Purpose: AmeriCorps is a national service program that takes a different approach to improve lives and fostering civic engagement. AmeriCorps Members commit their time to address critical community needs. In Dubuque, AmeriCorps Members serve at the intersection of education and mental health to help youth understand their emotions, reactions, and relationships through social-emotional learning to improve academic, career, and social success

City of Dubuque AmeriCorps Members implement key skill-building program to have the following impacts: Youth experience programs promoting healthy lifestyles resulting in decreased youth risk-related behaviors. Youth development skills to build meaningful and healthy relationships while experiencing being valued and respected. Providing every young person with the opportunity to grow up safely and access their best possible future.

The Youth Literacy Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting academic and social-emotional learning for youth in the Dubuque community through the Carnegie Stout Public Library. This position aims to provide community connections, healthy opportunities, and engaging literacy activities year-round. This vital role involves developing programs, implementing them, evaluating their impact, and reaching out to a broad representation of youth populations.

The Youth Literacy Specialist focuses on supporting Pre-K-12th grade youth, helping them navigate their out-of-school time in meaningful ways. This position will lead programming for pre-school youth, elementary, middle, and high school students, build relationships with disadvantaged youth and their families, connect talents and interests to potential literacy, and create sustainable support systems within the community. Benefits: Education Award received upon successful completion of their term of service.

Living Allowance Health care Student loan forbearance and interest payments for eligible loans Job Duties Program Development Implementation: Collaborate with the Youth Services Manager and library staff to plan and provide fun and engaging literacy-based and social-emotional-based library programs for youth and families during the school year. 8-12 literacy-based and social-emotional programs per month averaging 2 programs per week Develop and implement engaging 30-minutCollaborate with the Youth Services Manager and library staff to plan and provide fun and engaging literacy-based and social-emotional-based library programs for youth and families during the school year. 2-3 sessions per week Engage middle & high school students in summer enrichment programs through the TeenZone.

Facilitate and plan Monthly TeenZone acitvities ensuring a minimum of 2 sessions per month Plan & present entertaining and educational outreach initiatitves to yourth and families in the great Dubuque community. Game, crafts, and presentations can be utilized. 4 or more community outreach events during the year, each lasting 60-90 minutes Help facilitate the implementation promotion of Library Program for community youth.

Ensuring weekly progress tracking and minimum of 2 promotional touchpoints per week Coordinate, schedule, and maintain the Bright Beginning Book Box outreach program to local daycares. Gather theme collections and create at least 20 literacy themed book bundles per week. Impact Assessment and Documentation: Document and maintain records of the impact on area youth who participate in programs through weekly data-reporting processes.

Collect data and feedback to evaluate program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Personal Skills Development Outcomes Complete comprehensive training on preschool storytime, where the AmeriCorps member will learn to balance education and entertainment principles to present engaging learning experiences to preschool students. Develop a comfort level with public speaking by presenting storytimes, programs, and outreach opportunities to children.

Learn and utilize Canva graphic design program, Microsoft Suite, Brain Fuse, Koha, and other library-related computer programs to market library events. Actively build skills in graphic design, writing, speaking, organization, and computer-program usage. Learn and utilize general business tools such as telephones, copy machines, printers, paper-cutters, three-hole punch, die-cut machine, and various tools in the library's MakerSpace.

Effectively contribute to a team through collaborative programming and assisting as necessary. Volunteer Management: Recruit, manage, monitor, train, and document volunteer involvement with teen programming. Coordinate with volunteers to support the implementation of activities and ensure a safe and supportive environment for participants.

Collaborate with local colleges and community leaders to recruit volunteers and mentor to support Teen Empowerment programming throughout the school year and summer months. Disaster Response (AmeriCorps-Disaster Response Team) Participate in A-DRT training(s) to ensure the member has knowledge and ability to respond to disasters. Complete other training necessary to support disaster deployments, including but not limited to Volunteer Reception Center (VRC), first aid, mental health first aid, and chainsaw training.

Qualifications Physical Requirements: Walk and carry materials up and down steps. Stand and walk for extended periods of time. Lift 30 pounds.

Bend, squat and kneel. Desired Skills/Qualifications: Must be competent in working with at-risk youth, teenaged youth, and communities facing barriers. Applicant must have a personal vehicle for outreach programming and appropriate car insurance for mileage reimbursement.

Applicant must be creative, energetic, dependable and a self-starter. Eligibility Criteria: Must have a high school diploma or equivalent OR agree to obtain one while under service to the AmeriCorps Program Be 17 years or older at the start of service (no upper age limit). Pass a national service criminal history check prior to first day of service due to reoccurring access to vulnerable populations.

Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident. Supplemental Information Service Schedule The Youth Literacy Specialist's scheduled hours may fluctuate based on Programming scheduled throughout the year. Typical schedule: Mon - Friday: Serve flexibly between the hours of 8am - 7pm, and one weekend a month.

Opportunities for weekend hours or special events may become available during the year. Member will serve 27 hrs per week at a minimum. Example schedule for illustrative purposes: Monday: 10am - 6pm Tuesday: 12pm - 8pm Wednesday: 9am - 5pm Thursday: 10pm - 6pm Friday: 9am - 5pm Saturday: Off Sunday: Off Leave: Sick leave, personal leave, and holiday leave is allowed, but such time off does not count towards 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. Disaster Deployments: Member who opt-in to be engaged in disaster deployment/activities will need to ensure availability for the term of the disaster deployments, generally 2-4 weeks. Make plans for pets, family members, other employment and responsibilities that need regular attention.

Evaluations and Alternative Service AmeriCorps Members are required by the program to complete Self-Evaluations. Mid-Term Evaluations: At the member's halfway point during their term of service, the member will complete a self-evaluation and their Site Supervisor will complete an evaluation on the member through AmericaLearns. The member and site supervisor will meet, with or without Program Staff, to discuss the evaluations in-depth.

These evaluations must be submitted to the AmeriCorps Program. End-Term Evaluations: Upon the completion of their AmeriCorps Contract, all members will complete an End-Term Evaluation through AmericaLearns. The End-Term Evaluation must be completed, signed, and submitted to the AmeriCorps Program within 30 days of the member's final date of service.

Non-submission of this document within the 30-day timeframe will lead to the member being exited for cause (see section 9 of the Member Service Agreement) and will forfeit the member's right to the Education Award. Members may engage in other allowable activities that are not specifically outlined in the position description, but that support the AmeriCorps program design, and which will help the Program meet its goals. Under no circumstances will members be asked to perform prohibited activities.

Volunteers recruited and/or managed by AmeriCorps members will not participate in prohibited activities as outlined in the approved grant application. APPLICATION: all applications are submitted electronically via this website. Questions.

CONTACT: City of Dubuque AmeriCorps Program Phone: 563.690.6171 Email: americorps@cityofdubuque.org *AmeriCorps member will receive education award in the form of an electronic payment through myamericorpgs.gov. Education award may be used to pay educational costs at eligible post-secondary educational institutions or qualified student loans. Members who are 55+ years of age can transfer award to child or grandchild under specific conditions

Note: AmeriCorps Members are compensated through the national AmeriCorps program and are not considered employees of the City of Dubuque. Our Commitment to You The City of Dubuque is committed to using a merit-based system in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws. Our organization provides equal opportunities for all individuals, fostering a workplace that values innovation, collaboration, and work-life balance.

We offer job stability, a comprehensive benefits package, and an opportunity to serve and support our growing community. In accordance with legal obligations our policies and practices are designed to ensure fair treatment and foster a respectful workplace where all are encouraged to apply.