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AmeriCorps Youth Creativity Specialist

City of Dubuque

1 Positions

ID: 85986

Posted On 12/12/2025

Refreshed On 01/12/2026

Job Overview

Position Summary

AmeriCorps Teen Creativity Specialist

Example Contract dates:

+ January 5th, 2026 – August 1st, 2026 (30 Week Contract);

+ January 20th, 2026 - August 15th, 2026 (30 Week Contract);

+ February 2nd, 2026 - August 29th, 2026 (30 Week Contract)

*Contract start and end dates rotate on a bi-weekly schedule

450 Hours Contract - Minimum of 18 hours/week

Compensation: Living Allowance Total: $5,850 ($390.00 every 2 weeks over 30 weeks) + Education Award: $1,956.35*

Closing Date: January 26th, 2026

Description:

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:

1. Youth experience programs promoting healthy lifestyles resulting in decreased youth risk-related behaviors.

2. Youth development skills to build meaningful and healthy relationships while experiencing being valued and respected.

3. Providing every young person with the opportunity to grow up safely and access their best possible future.

The AmeriCorps Youth Creativity Specialist serves Bluff Strokes Art Center under the guidance and supervision of the Executive Director. This position's goal is to provide Dubuque's youth with community connections, healthy opportunities, and engaging high-quality art activities focused on Arts & Culture, year-round. This vital role involves creating partnerships to reach more youth including those who have been historically excluded, developing and implementing programs, and evaluating their impact. The Youth Creativity Specialist focuses on helping youth find their unique, creative expression, helping them navigate their personal development meaningfully through art. This position will support the development and implementation of programming for youth, build relationships with disadvantaged youth and their families, create community with other youth and adult art makers, and create sustainable support systems within the community.

Benefits:

+ Education Award received upon successful completion of their term of service.

+ Living Allowance

+ Student loan forbearance and interest payments for eligible loans

Job Duties

Service Responsibilities

1. Engage youth while growing new programming.

1. Partnership and Recruitment:

1. Trained and supported by Executive Director, grow teen art club offerings.

1. Implement weekly during school year.

1. Plan programming including at least 2 studio/museum visits, 2 artist visits, 4 backdrop sessions, 2 materials demonstrations, and lead open art making time at Center.

2. Target 1 new community connections each week. These could be art teachers, non-profit organizations serving youth, etc.

3. Target 2-3 new youth participants each week. Enroll an average of 6 students per club meeting.

2. Start new summer monthly teen art club (Jun-Aug 2026)

2. Supported by Program Director, coordinate youth art camps.

1. Schedule and plan logistics for four 1-week youth camps for Summer 2026

2. Release camp registration and dates by late February.

3. Enroll an average of 8 students per camp.

3. Launch and serve new evening weekly all-ages (including youth) open studio in mid-January.

1. Recruit youth participants.

1. Target 2-3 new participants each week. These could be art teachers, non-profit organizations serving youth, etc.

2. Set up engaging space for art making.

1. Prepare materials for 1-2 potential art activities for walk-ins each week.

3. Coordinate monthly Saturday youth art offerings.

1. Target 1-2 new participants each week. These could be art teachers, non-profit organizations serving youth, etc.

2. Enroll an average of 8 students per class.

3. Plan for volunteer, material, and space needs.

1. Fill 90% of volunteer spots.

4. Collaboration and Partnership:

1. Collaborate closely with AmeriCorps members serving at program partners to establish collaborative teen-focused programming efforts.

2. Engage partner organizations and recruit youth participation in art center activities and other local Arts & Cultural events, activities, and programs (ex: area schools, Dubuque Museum of Art, and Dubuque Area Arts Collective).

1. Connect with 1 ongoing partner and 1 new partner monthly. Partners include school systems, community organizations focusing on youth, community organizations focusing on art.

2. Collaborate with Media and Communications specialist to create 2 monthly social media posts and a segment for monthly email communications recruiting youth.

3. Develop and maintain contact lists related to youth programming (organizations, instructors, families, schools, etc.)

5. Volunteer Management:

1. Recruit, manage, monitor, train, and document volunteer expansion for involvement with youth programming.

1. Use Volunteer Dubuque as tracking system

2. Streamline volunteer process for youth serving volunteers.

3. Improve volunteer coverage of youth programming expanding to one additional role posted for each youth program type, teen art club and youth open studio.

2. Coordinate with volunteers to support the implementation of activities and ensure a safe and supportive environment for participants.

*Volunteers recruited and/or managed by AmeriCorps members will not participate in prohibited activities as outlined in the approved grant.

1. Impact Assessment and Documentation:

1. Document and maintain records of the impact on area youth who participate in the teen empowerment programs.

2. Collect data and feedback to evaluate program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

2. Disaster Response (AmeriCorps-Disaster Response Team)

1. Participate in A-DRT training(s) to ensure the member has knowledge and ability to respond to disasters.

2. 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 and/or willing to learn in working with at-risk youth, teenage youth, and communities facing barriers.

+ Applicant must have reliable transportation.

+ 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 recurring access to vulnerable populations.

+ Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident.

Supplemental Information

Service Schedule

The Teen Creativity Specialist’s scheduled hours may fluctuate based on Teen EmpowermentProgramming and Teen Programming scheduled throughout the year. Typical schedule: Mon - Friday: Serve flexibly between the hours of 9am - 8pm, with Four days/week served during the 8am - 5pm timeframe, with one day from 12pm to 8pm; Opportunities for weekend hours or special events may become available during the year. Member will serve 18 hrs per week at a minimum.

Example schedule for illustrative purposes:

+ Monday: noon – 4pm (3 weeks per month)

+ Tuesday: 4pm to 8pm

+ Wednesday: 1:30pm -5:30pm

+ Thursday: noon – 4pm

+ Friday: noon - 4pm

+ Saturday: 9am-1pm (1 week per month)

+ 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: [email protected]

*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._

Primary Contact

1689880885952

Sarah Berna

AmeriCorps Coordinator , City of Dubuque Leisure Services

563-580-6942

Phone

Phone

Phone

Fax

[email protected]

Email

True

False

False

Job Details

Location

Dubuque, IA

Job Type

Temp

Full/Part

Part Time

Pay/Salary

$390.00 Biweekly

Qualifications

Education

High School/GED

Company ID

931

Job REQ #

\# Positions

1

Start Date

20251212

End Date

20260126

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City of Dubuque

About the Company

Whether at City Hall or out on city streets, our employees serve our residents, businesses, and visitors every day. Join the City of Dubuque team to be part of a high-performance organization dedicated to the community and to delivering excellent municipal services. We are input-oriented, see problems as opportunities, search for creative solutions, and work as a team to accomplish goals and build partnerships. At the City of Dubuque, your work is meaningful and supports the community.

The City of Dubuque values its employees and offers competitive salaries and benefits such as:

+ Health and Dental Insurance

+ 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave

+ Paid Time Off and 11 Paid Holidays

+ Flexible Spending Accounts

+ Retirement Savings (IPERS)

+ Deferred Compensation Plan

+ Life and AD&D Insurance Coverage

+ Short-Term Disability

+ Employee Assistance Program

+ Tuition Reimbursement Program

+ Longevity Pay Starting After 6 Years of Service

+ Flexible Work Arrangements

+ Paid Time Volunteering

With positions in over 30 departments and divisions, your perfect career fit is waiting for you at the City of Dubuque. Ready to join our team? Visit www.CityOfDubuque.org/Jobs .