Child & Family Services Case Manager

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Family Well-Being and Protection, Bureau of Child Protective Services, Eastern Iowa Service Area is seeking a Child & Family Services 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. 

This is a full-time opportunity, Monday – Friday with typical hours being from 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM 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. 

Telework may be an option upon successful completion of the training period and will travel on a regular basis to conduct the assessments of allegations within the assigned Service Area. Mileage is paid at $0.50/mile travelled according to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) State Accounting Enterprise Procedures. A valid driver’s license is required. 

This position will be domiciled (work location) in Lee County. Telework may be an option for this position if requested by the employee and approved by management. but the position is based in the assigned county and will serve clients in that and surrounding counties. 

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 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 

Preference will be given for education or experience which correlates directly with the requirements and duties of the position.

Benefits

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
• Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation (96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
• Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs. 

For additional information on benefits click here.

Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

Background Checks

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position. 

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

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.