💼 Looking for work, or something new? Whether it’s your first job, a fresh start or a little part-time work in retirement, Linn County has friendly folks ready to help, and most of it is free. Here’s where to start.
Start here
🏢 IowaWORKS Cedar Rapids
Our local American Job Center, for people who have a job and people who don’t. Services include one-on-one career help, virtual workshops and resume building, labor market information, unemployment assistance and connections to training programs. In-person and virtual help are both available.
1025 Kirkwood Pkwy. SW, Cedar Rapids (lower level, on the Kirkwood campus; Bus Route 7) · (319) 365-9474
📚 CR Library Opportunity Center
Free help creating resumes, filling out online applications, finding job leads and local employers, and getting into training, plus weekly skill-building workshops. It’s a partnership of the library, Kirkwood, United Way, HACAP and the City.
Busse Branch, 1845 Sandberg Ln. SW · (319) 739-0456
🤝 Goodwill of the Heartland
Free career services open to the public: computer and internet access, computer skills training, job search and resume help, and connections to employers.
Cedar Rapids Career & Support Services, 1441 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE · (319) 739-5039
Training and school
🎓 Kirkwood Community College
Kirkwood works alongside IowaWORKS to help you explore careers and find help paying for training. Need-based funding is available for short-term certificates in fields that are hiring (ages 16+). Call 319-365-9474, option 8.
📝 Kirkwood Continuing Education
Classes, workshops and FastTrack Career Certificates for short-term training. Phone: 319-398-1022.
Local government and school job boards
🍎 School districts
Schools hire for many roles beyond teaching, like bus drivers, nutrition services and substitutes.
Cedar Rapids Community · Linn-Mar · College Community · Marion Independent
Job fairs and workshops
📅 Where to find them
We don’t list dates here, since they change. IowaWORKS posts workshops and local events in the “Current Month’s Events” box when you log in at IowaWORKS.gov. The library’s Opportunity Center lists its workshops and job fairs on its page.
For teens and young adults
🌱 Youth and young adult services
IowaWORKS offers youth and young adult services. Ask the Cedar Rapids office about eligibility.
🥕 Cultivate Hope Seed Crew (Matthew 25)
A paid summer job for high-school-age students on Matthew 25’s urban farm in Cedar Rapids: growing produce, selling at farmers markets and learning teamwork. Check the page for this year’s ages, dates and application.
For workers 55 and up
👵 Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
SCSEP helps Iowans 55 and older with limited income find work through paid, part-time training assignments at local nonprofits and public agencies. Linn County is in the AARP Foundation’s Iowa service area. Call the AARP Foundation Work Resources Helpline at 1-855-850-2525, or visit IowaWORKS.
Good luck out there, neighbor! Just moved here? See Welcome, New Neighbor! More help is on our Helpful Resources page, or dial 211.