Child & Family Services Case Manager

Child & Family Services Case Manager

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Child & Family Services Case Manager

Salary

$49,254.40 - $73,216.00 Annually

Location

Fort Dodge - 50501 - Webster County, IA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

26-00805

Agency

400 Health & Human Services - Family Well-Being and Protection

Division

Health & Human Services - Family Well Being & Protection.

Opening Date

09 / 26 / 2025

Closing Date

10 / 6 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag

#LI-POST

Point of Contact

Chris Silberhorn - chris.silberhorn@hhs.iowa.gov

Description

Benefits

Questions

Job Description

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Family Well-Being and Protection, Child Protective Services, is seeking a Child & Family Services Case Manager to join our team!

Do you have experience / education in Social Work; Social / Human / Community Services; Case Management; or experience closely related to these fields? If so, this may be a great opportunity for you! The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has a current opening for a team member in the Family Well-Being and Protection Division. This position plays a key role in preparing and supporting children and families to be successful.

The primary purpose for this position is to work with families in which child abuse and / or neglect has occurred. The focus is to decrease the likelihood of continued abuse while preserving families. We do our best to keep families together, however, there are times in which this is not possible. In these circumstances, children may have to be removed from parental custody and placed in another home, preferably still with family. As a Social Work Case Manager, there will be times in which you will have to remove children. This can be a difficult and challenging process.

The work you do has a significant impact on families, both positive and negative. The families we serve are often struggling with addiction, mental health concerns, poverty, and their own trauma history. It is not uncommon for you to be an unwelcome guest in their life. While you are in the process of engaging parents and establishing a respectful relationship, there can be escalated emotions and responses. In this work, it is important to be mindful of your surroundings, recognize others’ responses are not personal to you, empathize with the stress parents feel, and implement de-escalation techniques when having difficult conversations. If the Juvenile Court is involved, parents are assigned an attorney who has the ethical responsibility to zealously represent their client. Attorneys will and should challenge the work you are doing, and this can feel uncomfortable at times.

This job can be very busy and challenging. There are many deadlines to adhere to. Crisis do occur which must be addressed. Organization and clear work planning will help you meet deadlines while still addressing unplanned events. You are expected to work a 40-hour week, but there are times you may be required to work overtime. This is infrequent. However, because we are meeting with families, you would be often required to work outside the normal business hours of HHS (8-4 : 30) to meet the requirements of the job while trying to meet the needs of the family. You will need to be able to be flexible with your schedule to meet the requirements of the job, but this will also allow you the flexibility to meet any personal requirements you have.

During your first year, there is upwards of 200 hours of training, some classroom and some “on-the-job”. When you start, much of your formal training is held in Des Moines. There are two courses which require you to stay overnight (4 nights and 3 nights). For the extended courses, the hotel costs are direct billed to the state. There is a reimbursement for meals (only when there is an overnight stay) and mileage if a state car is not available. Other shorter training courses which require an overnight stay will require you to cover the cost of a hotel and then you submit for reimbursement.

Telework may be an option upon successful completion of the training period and will travel on a regular basis to meet with families in which child abuse and / or neglect has occurred 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 Ft. Dodge. 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.

The ideal candidate will :

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 provides 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 :

Experience / education in Social Work; Social Services / Human Services; Case Management; Community Services; or experience related to these fields.

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. (IE experience in “child welfare” programs is greatly desirable).

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 hereto 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

Minimum Qualification Requirements

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 their 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 the required education to a maximum substitution of four years.

For additional information, please click on thislink to view the job description () .

Additional Qualification Requirements

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

Why Choose the State of Iowa?

At the heart of our commitment to excellence is a dedication to our most valuable asset – our employees. Discover the outstanding benefits that set us apart as an employer of choice.

Our Robust Benefits Package Includes :

Competitive Compensation :

Enjoy a competitive salary that reflects directly on your skills and expertise.

Keep in mind, your wage is just one part of your total compensation. Unlock the complete value of your employment with the State of Iowa by using our user-friendlyTotal Compensation Calculator () .Gain insights into your comprehensive annual compensation, including salary and State-provided benefits.

Health and Wellness :

Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the State of Iowa covers 90% of the premiums, providing you and your loved ones with excellent coverage at a remarkably low cost.

Retirement Planning :

We are proud to offer the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). A defined benefit plan, IPERS benefits are guaranteed for life, meaning once you retire, you will receive the same monthly benefit for the remainder of your life (once vested). We invest in your long-term financial well-being, so you can retire with peace of mind.Click here to learn more about IPERS () .

Paid Time Off :

Life is unpredictable, and at the State of Iowa, we understand the importance of work-life balance. Our leave policies, including paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with unlimited accrual, ensure you have the flexibility you need for personal and family matters.

Professional Development :

Elevate your career with continuous learning opportunities. We support your growth through training programs, workshops, and tuition reimbursement.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) :

We care about your well-being beyond the workplace. Access confidential counseling, resources, and support through our Employee Assistance Program.

Diversity and Inclusion :

Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces all backgrounds and perspectives. We believe diversity is a strength that drives innovation.

Join Us - Elevate Your Career :

Ready to elevate your career with the State of Iowa?Click here () to explore more about our unparalleled benefits and discover what makes us unique. Your success is our priority!

01

Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely.Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question.Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

Yes - I understand and agree.

No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?

No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

03

Have you graduated from a four-year college or university?

Yes

No

04

How many years do you have of full-time technical work experience involving direct contact with people in overcoming their social, economic, psychological, or health problems?

No work experience in the specified area

Less than one year of full-time technical work experience involving direct contact with people in overcoming their social, economic, psychological, or health problems

One year to less than two years of full-time technical work experience involving direct contact with people in overcoming their social, economic, psychological, or health problems

Two years to less than three years of full-time technical work experience involving direct contact with people in overcoming their social, economic, psychological, or health problems

Three years to less than four years of full-time technical work experience involving direct contact with people in overcoming their social, economic, psychological, or health problems

Four years or more of full-time technical work experience involving direct contact with people in overcoming their social, economic, psychological, or health problems

05

How many years do you have of COMBINED post high school education AND full-time technical work experience involving direct contact with people in overcoming their social, economic, psychological, or health problems? 30 semester hours equals one year of the full-time work experience.

Not applicable - None of the specified education and work experience

Less than one year of the combined specified education and full-time technical work experience involving direct contact with people in overcoming their social, economic, psychological, or health problems

One year to less than two years of the combined specified education and full-time technical work experience involving direct contact with people in overcoming their social, economic, psychological, or health problems

Two years to less than three years of the combined specified education and full-time technical work experience involving direct contact with people in overcoming their social, economic, psychological, or health problems

Three years to less than four years of the combined specified education and full-time technical work experience involving direct contact with people in overcoming their social, economic, psychological, or health problems

Four years or more of the combined specified education and full-time technical work experience involving direct contact with people in overcoming their social, economic, psychological, or health problems

Required Question

Employer

State of Iowa

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