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.

Location:

Spencer, Iowa.

Are you someone who believes in the power of connection, healing, and long‑term support? As a Child & Family Services Case Manager, you’ll walk alongside families after their initial assessments, helping them navigate challenges and build stronger, safer futures together.

This role is all about building trust and fostering growth. You’ll:

• Coordinate services and resources tailored to each family’s needs.
• Monitor progress and celebrate milestones, big and small.
• Support permanency planning to ensure children have stable, loving homes.
• Advocate for families through collaboration with service providers and legal partners.
• Help address underlying issues and promote reunification whenever possible.

What makes this work so meaningful is the relationships you build. Unlike short‑term or emergency roles, ongoing case management allows you to become a steady, compassionate presence in a family’s life—someone they can count on. You’ll be part of their journey, helping shape a future filled with safety, support, and possibility.

• Engagement and advocacy
• Crisis management
• Oral and written communication skills
• Observational, critical thinking and analytical skills
• Prioritization and time management

• Assess risk and safety factors affecting children and families in a variety of settings.
• Schedule and conduct monthly in‑home visits with parents and children.
• Complete timely and accurate documentation, including case notes and court reports.
• Attend court hearings and testify as required.
• Respond to crisis situations with urgency, offering immediate support and stabilizing interventions.
• Collaborate with legal professionals, law enforcement, treatment providers, and other community partners.
• Manage a diverse and dynamic caseload with flexibility and analytical reasoning.

• Full time, Monday‑Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM.
• Telework may be an option upon successful completion of the six‑month probationary period.
• Mileage is paid at $0.50/mile travelled according to Iowa State Accounting Procedures.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Background check required for all applicants.

• 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:
  Vacation (96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
• Retirement plans: IPERS, RIC, and Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (State matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible spending accounts:
  Medical and dependent care expenses.
• Life insurance and free long‑term disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee discount programs.

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

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).

The State of Iowa participates in E‑Verify and complies with federal Right to Work laws, protecting employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e‑verify.gov.

• 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.

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.