Skip to content
Search Public Health Job Opportunities Across The Nation

Explore national fellowship and internship opportunities

The list includes opportunities with governmental public health agencies, nonprofits organizations, global health initiatives, and more. Opportunities include, but are not limited to, national programs affiliated with the Centers of Disease Control and Preventions (CDC).

Medicaid Director

This is  a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section.  Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

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


As a division of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Iowa Medicaid insures more than 700,000 Iowans, operating with a budget of nearly $7 billion. Reporting directly to the Department’s Director, who serves on Governor Reynolds’ Cabinet, Iowa’s State Medicaid Director is a key member of the Iowa HHS Executive Team, responsible for the direct oversight of all managed care operations, program policy, major IT system enhancements, and data governance.  As a member of the executive team, the Medicaid Director establishes and builds connection points to other core program functions within Iowa HHS, including child welfare, public health, community behavioral health, and integrated eligibility.


In year two of a significant agency consolidation, Iowa HHS is a lifespan services agency and the State’s largest in both budget and number of employees. This new system design positions Medicaid in a cornerstone role beyond its foundational capacity as a major insurer in the state, to drive key population health outcomes and significant impacts to rural healthcare access, maternal health, and behavioral health system design. Iowa Medicaid is leading significant transformational efforts, including the launch of a redesigned home and community-based services waiver structure, and a co-designed model to launch CCBHCs.


As with any leadership role, Iowa HHS seeks a self-driven, tenured executive who thrives while contributing to a fast paced and high-functioning team. Iowa’s Medicaid Director must have demonstrated experience in healthcare, Medicaid program operations, and operational planning, as well as a deep understanding of cost and caseload trends.


Iowa HHS main office is in the heart of downtown Des Moines, a mid-size city, with low cost of living, wonderful access to entertainment, and nestled within range of larger metro areas. Perfect for raising a family, Iowa is a welcoming state where you can enjoy small-town living, with all the benefits of a major city (but without the traffic). The State of Iowa offers a robust benefit package; salary commensurate with experience and moving expenses may be reimbursed, as part of a larger recruitment offering.


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

Requirements

292 Hospital/Health Care Statistics and Reimbursement:

 6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in health care industry technology and standards with emphasis on health care insurance, payment systems, and health care data processing requirements.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
 

1)  All of the following (a, b, and c):
a)  Five years of full-time managerial work experience in public- or private-sector healthcare administration, (i.e., leadership, management, and administration of public health systems, healthcare systems, hospitals, hospital networks, or health insurance programs); and
b)  A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in healthcare administration, business administration, public administration, finance, accounting, public health, actuarial science, or law equals one year of full-time experience; and
c)  A total of three years of graduate-level education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in healthcare administration, business administration, public administration, finance, accounting, public health, actuarial science, or law equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

2)  Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes three years of full-time work as a Public Service Manager 1, Public Service Manager 2, or comparable specific management-level position.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
Date Posted
07/03/2025
Job Reference
26-00022
Organization
400 Health & Human Services - Medicaid
Location
Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA 50301
Category
Executive
Apply Back

Connect with Local, State, and Territorial Health Departments

To find local governmental public health jurisdictions, see - www.naccho.org