Child and Family Service Case Manager

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) merged on July 1, 2022, to form one agency, The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). We are seeking a Child and Family Service Case Manager (Social Worker 2) to join our team!
 
Do you enjoy working with children and families?  If so, this is a great opportunity! Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has a current opening for a team member in the Family and Child Well-Being Division. HHS is responsible for working with families who have experienced abuse and neglect. You play a key role in preparing and supporting children and families to be successful. You will also assist families in realizing their full potential by working with them as experts, case planning with team members, and the courts, and connecting families to community resources.  
 
HOURS:   Core hours are Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M however, flexibility in schedule is allowed with supervisory approval.  Overtime may be required based on business need and position will require working some evenings, weekends, and holidays. 
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  Travel, a valid driver’s license, and reliable vehicle.
LOCATION:  This position is for Polk County – Des Moines, Iowa and does require in-office presence with a probationary period of six months. Upon completion of probation, some telework may be an option for this position if requested by the employee and approved by leadership.
 
SALARY RANGE:  Hourly $22.54 - $33.50

For team members beginning employment September 29th and after, this position is eligible for a $2,500 recruitment payment.  Speak to the Hiring Manager for more eligibility information.  

DUTIES:  This position provides case management for children and families, including but not limited to:  

• Manage a diverse caseload of children and families that require ongoing service provision to ensure safety. These cases may children placed in foster care and/or oversight by juvenile court.
• Address the needs of children and families including safety, basic needs such as food, hygiene, education, health, and mental health. 
• Evaluate the on-going safety and risk of children by conducting home visits with the children and parents, foster parents, relatives, and others involved while providing timely professional documentation of these contacts and reports.
• Upload/e-file timely, accurate and detailed documentation for court involved cases and manage your schedule to accommodate your caseload. 
• Respond to situations decisively and effectively (within policy) as family needs change which would include supervisory consultation as needed. 
• Be a good team player with your co-workers and be willing to ask for and provide help.
• Engage the family in creating a family-centered plan in accordance to policy that analyze and assess the strengths and needs of the child and family and address on-going danger and risk concerns.
• Assess the ongoing risk to the children, while developing safety plans and make recommendations to various county attorneys and courts.
• Collaborate with medical/mental health community partners, schools, legal partners, law enforcement, local community resources and others based on case needs.
• Professional and timely documentation of referred and provided services.
• Attend court hearings and provide professional testimony on behalf of the Iowa Health and Human Services. 
• Attend and participate in various training sessions offered by HHS and other partner agencies. 
• Understand and use multiple computer programs and data systems. 

To ensure the Des Moines Service Area is providing the best service to the residents of Iowa, applicants should demonstrate exceptional customer service skills, integrity, and a strong work ethic.  
 
The following experience/skills are preferred:

• Critical thinking skills and plan development
• Customer service including de-escalation of conflictual or adversarial situations
• Excellent oral and written communication and report composition
• Teamwork, collaboration, and consultation 
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines 

We have a great total compensation package for all our full-time employees, including:

• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) (Employee contributes 6.29%/State of Iowa contributes 9.44%)
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan) (State of Iowa matches up to $75/month)
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance (See below for more details)
• Vacation Leave (96 hours/year)
• Sick Leave (144 hours/year)
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance ($20,000 paid for by the State of Iowa)
• Long-Term Disability Insurance

For additional information on benefits click here.  Our Benefits at a Glance outlines the great benefits for this position.  
 
Minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and those with the ability to speak, read, and/or write additional languages (include in your application or resume) is encouraged to apply.

(Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).  DHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages foster youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply.
 
Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.