Summer Youth Program

This is a non-merit, temporary position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the To Apply section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

All applications must be submitted through the State of Iowa job application site at  Applications will be evaluated based on the cover letter and resume uploaded to the site. While offers of employment cannot be made until the posting has closed, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Staff training will take place over three weeks starting on May 18th and ending on June 5TH with primary employment from June 7th through August 13TH, 2026.

Summer youth counselors may consistently work significantly more than forty hours per week, based on the number of students enrolled in the program and those students’ needs. Exact schedules will be determined by the needs of the students in the program, and the skillset of each staff member. Tentative staff role assignments will be announced after the training.

The Leadership Education Advocacy Program (LEAP) summer staff will support the Iowa Department for the Blind's two-month residential Pre-Employment Transition Services summer program for youth ages 14-21. Summer staff will assist youth to challenge themselves and grow in their independence and autonomy throughout the duration of LEAP. Roles will be assigned based on staff skills and student needs, but will include ensuring students actively participate in classes and programming throughout the summer, providing clarification and instruction as students attend workshops, teaching independent living skills during morning and evening routines, as well as offering support as needed for students on confidence-building outings and activities in the evening and on the weekends.

Strong candidates will possess solid communication skills, maturity, the ability to follow directions, and ask questions as needed, work hard and have fun, as well as a strong belief in the abilities of blind people and a commitment to helping students grow toward their potential. Housing is potentially available for employees who live outside the Des Moines area.

• Support student learning in workshops and seminars as well as such skills as Braille, cane travel, home management, independent living, and assistive technology
• Provide instruction in social skills, etiquette, and self-advocacy.
• Reinforce learning daily living tasks, meal planning and preparation, grocery shopping, laundry, and cleaning and organizing dorms.
• Supervise student participation in summer programming, workshops, seminars, and confidence-building activities around the Des Moines and the state of Iowa
• Reinforce proper cane technique and other nonvisual skills during these activities.
• Serve as a role model for students in the use of nonvisual and low vision techniques and problem-solving skills.
• Communicate with other program staff regarding student needs and progress.
• Document student progress including written student reports at the end of the summer.

• Demonstrate and promote a positive attitude about blindness
• Actively monitor student behavior and living areas
• Communicate regularly with program leaders regarding student needs and concerns
• Document student progress through detailed written reports
• Reinforce the use and learning of alternative techniques and self-advocacy
• Actively participate in all summer program activities

It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal

Right to Worklaws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

High school diploma or equivalent