Child & Family Services Case Manager

Job Description

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Family Well-Being and Protection, Bureau of Child Protective Services, is seeking a Child & Family Services Case Manager to join our team. This full-time position is located in Council Bluffs and serves surrounding counties. Typical hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, with paid overtime (pre-approved by leadership) and on-call rotation nights and weekends.

Position located in Council Bluffs; covers surrounding counties. Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, with paid overtime and on-call rotation nights and weekends. All overtime must be pre-approved by leadership.

• Assess ongoing risk to children, develop safety plans, assess strengths and needs of child and family, and make recommendations to county attorneys and courts.
• Frequent interaction with law enforcement, medical/mental health community partners, schools, and other agencies.
• Apply Iowa Code, agency policy, and professional judgment to highly complex crisis and chronic abuse or neglect cases.
• Conduct home visits, detailed interviews, and thorough narrative documentation for all assigned cases.
• Troubleshoot problematic situations to find innovative solutions for presentation to administration and supervisors. Confront crisis and high-stress situations calmly and orderly while maintaining confidentiality and prioritizing safety.
• Obtain information from various sources, including written materials, telephone conversations, and computer databases, and interpret data to reach accurate conclusions.
• Identify rules, principles, or relationships that explain data and draw conclusions.
• Collaborate in a team environment to manage group processes, facilitate cooperation, and encourage trust and group identity.
• Provide division support to a large segment of the agency by managing internal and external requests for information, legislative reviews, and timely communication.
• Be on standby during nights and weekends on a rotational basis.

• Successful management of a full case load.
• Strong observational and analytical skills, and ability to respectfully engage families as partners in safety planning and establish working relationships.
• Excellent judgment and communication skills with timely written documentation.
• Ability to develop case plans, use critical thinking, prioritize work, and work under pressure.
• Independent judgment to make sound decisions, demonstrate integrity and confidentiality, and strong work ethic.

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university;
• OR the equivalent of four years of full-time technical work experience involving direct contact with people in overcoming social, economic, psychological, or health problems;
• OR an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting the equivalent of one year of full-time qualifying work experience for one year (thirty semester or equivalent hours) of required education, up to a maximum substitution of four years.

• Designated positions in this job class require a Chauffeurs License and endorsements within a period of time determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.

• Health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid time off: 96 hours vacation per year (increasing with service), 144 hours sick leave, and 9 paid holidays.
• Retirement plans: IPERS (6.29% employee, 9.44% state), Retirement Investors Club (RIC), employer-sponsored plan (state matches dollar-for-dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Life insurance and free long-term disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee discount programs for goods and services.

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

The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity/affirmative action 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.

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify and complies with federal Right-to-Work laws. New hires will be verified through E-Verify within the required timeframe.