Job Description

Posting number: 27-00111

Department: 671 Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs - Veterans Home

Job classification: Activities Assistant

Posting type: Open

Categories: Veteran Services

The Iowa Veterans Home is now accepting applications for a Music Activities Assistant to plan, organize and coordinate music activities for residents in the Ulery building. Must have knowledge of music from different genres, decades, and be comfortable singing in front of others to engage residents in sing-a-longs and work with resident choirs. Ability to play an instrument(s), such as piano and guitar is preferred.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Implement the resident choirs and special activities including music bingo, karaoke and jam sessions.
• Ability to plan, coordinate and execute activities with or without an Activity Specialist Supervisor.
• Seek out participants before each activity by going to their rooms and areas on the unit to provide escort assistance.
• Document in the Activity Pro program.
• Keep inventory of music supplies and equipment and communicate needs to supervisor.
• Maintain and clean existing supplies and equipment.
• Provide 1:1 interventions to residents as needed to meet their social, emotional, physical, intellect and spiritual needs.
• Assist with Recreational Activities in the Ulery building and assist the Activity Specialist Supervisor to plan and implement activities/events in the Ulery common area.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

What we offer as a full time Iowa Veterans Home employee:

• Team oriented, positive work environment
• Opportunity for professional growth and development
• Paid time off (sick leave and vacation) plus nine paid holidays per year

Medical and Dental Insurance Benefits:
Monthly optional Medical Insurance Premium (Iowa Choice*) for 2026:
Single: $64/mo = employee share; $836/mo = state share
Family: $210/mo = employee share; $1,896/mo = state share
* National Choice option also available
Monthly optional Dental Insurance Premium for 2026:
Single: Free
Family: $46

• Optional flexible spending accounts for health and dental expenses, and dependent care
• $20,000 basic life insurance at no cost
• Exceptional retirement package: IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System)
• Optional 401(a) Plan with employee contribution: The State makes match contributions into the employee’s selection of investments in a 401(a) employer match account. The match is $1 for every $1 contributed up to a $75 monthly maximum.
• Wellness Program: Onsite fitness center available to staff 24/7 for only $36 per year

**All applicants are subject to a Criminal Background Check Dependent Adult Abuse and Child Abuse Check.

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 Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Two years of full-time work experience in a recreational, arts, crafts, or music activity program.

2) A total of two years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in art, music, physical education, recreation, the social/behavioral sciences or closely related areas equals one year of full-time experience.

3) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as an Activities Aide or Resident Treatment Worker.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description