Iyer was a doctor before she began her civil service career and continues to practice medicine.[8][7] She joined IAS in 2014[9] and was assistant collector at Kottayam before becoming Sub-Collector of Trivandrum.
In 2016, as the nodal officer of Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) under the Election Commission and assistant collector in Kottayam, Iyer created a voter awareness campaign with the motto "My Vote My Future" to help improve voter turnout.[10] In 2016, she also wrote and sang the song 'Viral thumbil Nammude Bhaavi' to promote awareness of voting rights and to encourage voting, which was released during a press conference by the District Collector.[11][12]
In 2018, Iyer was transferred from her role as Sub-Collector to Deputy Secretary in the Local Self-Government Department.[13][14][15]
Mission Director of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
Iyer at the #BreakTheChain awareness campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Iyer then served as the Mission Director of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS).[16][17] In this role, she was named one of the Kerala Insider 50 Most Influential People of 2020, due to her prominent role in the #BreakTheChain awareness campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic.[18][19]
District Collector
Iyer at Pathanamthitta Collectorate office.
On 12 July 2021, Iyer became the 36th district collector of Pathanamthitta.[20][21] In August 2021, she said she plans to continue measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as development of the district and measures that promote the empowerment of women.[22]
In 2021, following the decision of the State government to award title deeds to farmers in Konni following decades of protests, Iyer prepared and submitted a report with forest division officers as part of the process to distribute the deeds.[23]
In December 2021, Iyer distributed gender neutral school uniforms to the students of Government Tribal LP School Attathodu in Ranni of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala.[24]
In 2021 and 2022, Iyer and district police chief R Nishanthini helped coordinate the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage, and did not attempt to enter the temple.[25]
Managing Director of Vizhinjam International Seaport
In October 2023, Divya was appointed as the managing director of the Vizhinjam International Seaport.[28] In addition to this appointment, she also was appointed director of the Solid Waste Management Project.[29] Her appointments are reported as part of a restructuring that resulted in the reappointments of several district collectors to new posts.[30]
Published works
Iyer, Divya S., ed. (2014). Applied Diplomacy - Through the Prism of Mythology: Writings of T.P. Sreenivasan. New Delhi: Wisdom Tree. ISBN9788183283816.[31]
Iyer, Divya S. (2019). Pathfinder - Civil Services Main Examination (8th ed.). Kerala, India: DC Books. ISBN978-8126442935.[32]
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi; Iyer, Divya (2021). A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions / ETHRAYUM PRIYAPPETTAVALK ORU FEMINIST MANIFESTO. Kerala, India: DC Books.[33]
Iyer, Divya S. (2022). Kaioppitta Vazhikal. Kerala, India: DC Books. ISBN9789354820823.[34]