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Health Facilities Surveyor

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Behavioral Health, Bureau of Operations and Compliance is seeking a Health Facilities Surveyor to join our team!

This position will be located in Des Moines IA.

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

The primary purpose of the Health Facilities Surveyor position is to ensure the safety, quality, and compliance of substance abuse and problem gambling treatment programs across Iowa by conducting licensure activities, inspections, investigations, and technical assistance in accordance with Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 155.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
 • Assist with reviewing program applications, coordinating follow-up to ensure complete submissions, and drafting waiver responses, license renewals, and approval notifications.
 • Participate in licensure inspections by reviewing application materials and related documents, as well as conducting on-site inspections.
 • Prepare inspection forms and reports within required timeframes: draft reports within 15 working days of the inspection date and final reports within 20 working days.
 • Provide and document technical assistance to applicants, licensed programs, and other stakeholders.
 • Assist with complaint investigations, including generating reports and managing associated documentation.
 • Maintain thorough knowledge of licensure standards, national accreditation requirements, workforce qualifications, and other related areas.
 • Recommend improvements to licensure standards, procedures, and processes.
 • Monitor and track program compliance activities including data submissions, corrective action plans, waiver requests, renewals, and confirmatory laboratory approvals.
 • Coordinate with the Iowa Department of Education to verify treatment completion for OWI purposes.
 • Support maintenance of accurate licensing information on the HHS and Your Life Iowa websites.
 • Assist with Quality Improvement activities as assigned by the lead worker.

• Understanding of substance use disorder treatment modalities, problem gambling services, and behavioral health delivery systems.
 • Knowledge of inspection and investigative practices, including documentation standards and report preparation.
 • Familiarity with national accreditation standards, workforce qualification requirements, and clinical or programmatic best practices as they relate to licensure.

• Proficiency in evaluating program records, treatment documentation, and related operational materials for compliance.

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).

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 visitwww.e-verify.gov.

Requirements

663 Substance Abuse Programs
6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in prevention programs, clinical substance abuse, or preventative abuse (counselors, treatment workers) that includes: • Applicants who develop and/or present programs designed to inform a population on the use, abuse, and dependency of alcohol or other drugs. • Initiation, design and/or review of education curriculums, which include alcohol/drug, related information (pharmacology, reasons for use, chemical dependency, etc.). • Presentations to professionals, community organizations, youth in school, on chemical dependency. • Preparation of media campaigns, including newspaper articles and public service announcements on prevention of substance abuse. • Training of youth, parents, and professionals in assertiveness training (“saying no” strategies), communication skills, assertive discipline, decision-making, peer helping, employee assistance programming, and/or student assistance programming. • Consultation with community organizations or other human service providers to develop prevention programming. • Provide OWI classes to first-time offenders. • Inform the public of the effects of chemical dependency on families.

Qualifications

Completion of an educational program in professional Nursing and registration as a nurse or graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree with a concentration of study in a human services area (e.g., psychology, sociology, gerontology, anthropology, therapeutic recreation, rehabilitation, or a similar area related to provisions of services) and experience equal to three years of full-time professional work;

OR
completion of a Pharmacy degree, a Master's degree, or advanced degree above the Master's level in a human services area at an accredited college or university, and experience equal to one year of full-time professional work;
OR
graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree and three years work experience in health administration; in a clinical substance abuse program; or in a regulatory program which involves the surveying and evaluating of situations, conditions and operating procedures of health care/treatment facilities;
OR
certification as a rehabilitation counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification plus specialized training or experience equal to one year of full-time professional work in a nursing, treatment, or habilitation program for intellectually disabled clients;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of the above specified experience for one year of the required education;
OR
thirty semester hours of graduate course work in public, business or health administration, in the health field or social work, counseling, or rehabilitation from an accredited college or university may be substituted for each year of experience to a maximum substitution of two years.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
  • Applicants possessing licensure, certification, registration or degree should indicate such on the application form and may be required to provide proof at the time of interview.
  • Licensure or temporary licensure by the State of Iowa is required for designated positions in this class. Applicants who now possess a current valid license from another state need not have an Iowa license to apply, but will be required to obtain the appropriate Iowa license prior to beginning actual employment.
  • For purposes of qualifying for this job class, "professional experience" shall be indicated by having responsibility for assessment and diagnosis of client problems and needs, developing a plan of treatment, evaluating client progress toward meeting treatment goals, modifying treatment objectives, etc. Work at this level requires a prerequisite of post high school educational training or certification in the behavioral, social, health sciences, or health administration.
  • Applicants for positions in the Department of Inspections and Appeals must undergo a background investigation which includes a criminal history check and a dependent adult and child abuse registry check.
Date Posted
03/31/2026
Job Reference
26-02543
Organization
400 Health & Human Services - Behavioral Health
Location
Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA 50301
Category
Health Evaluator/Consultant
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