Abuse Intake Worker (Social Worker 3)

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) merged on July 1, 2022, to form one agency, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS, Division of Family Well-Being and Protection, Child Protective Services, Centralized Service Intake Unit, (CSIU) is seeking an Intake Worker (Social Worker 3).

Summary:
Work Hours: Fri-Sun 10:00 AM-10:30 PM overtime as needed
This vital frontline position requires the skill to be able to multi-task and the ability to the gather as well as analyze information and concerns in a fast-paced environment with accuracy and efficiency. This is an essential social work position that is gateway to assist in the protection of the most vulnerable Iowans. CSIU is a 24 hours per day, 7 days per week operation. This position will be “domiciled” for travel purposes at the nearest Iowa DHS Full Time Office, however it may work from home. Initial training may be Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, until ready to take on assigned duties. Training will consist of a combination of in-person training in Des Moines and virtual training.

Core Essential Functions:

• Determines if the alleged victim needs immediate protection and passes all appropriate information to the Intake Supervisor.
• Responds to allegation of children or dependent adults in need of protection in a timely manner and ensures that critical information is accurate and complete about the subjects and the alleged incident.
• Completes and documents background checks for all household members and subjects.
• Performs Intake duties for protective referrals concerning children and dependent adults made to the Department of Human Services (DHS).
• Engages the Reporter (caller) using hotline interviewing techniques including open and closed ended questions, reflective listening, refocusing, and suppressing, probing, affirming, and summarizing to gather necessary information.
• Documents all safety concerns for the referred victim(s) and others in the home or entering the home and effectively communicate the information within applicable time frames to the Intake Supervisor.
• Communicates with Reporter(s) of abuse within 24 hours if the intake will be accepted or rejected for assessment; discusses next steps and/or alternatives that may assist the children/family.
• Identifies the nature of the report and determines which general category of alleged abuse (physical, sexual or neglect)
• The Intake worker enters information onto the appropriate form.

The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate excellent judgment and communication skills.
• Demonstrate good written documentation in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritize and work under pressure.
• Demonstrate exceptional customer services skills and the ability to establish relationships
• Demonstrate integrity and a strong work ethic.
• Demonstrate independent judgement to make sound decisions.

How to Apply:
For help creating a profile or entering your information, please go to the online Employment Application Guide. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

We have a great total compensation package for all our full-time employees, including:

• Life Insurance
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Compensation is commensurate with experience and education.
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan)
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Vacation Leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS)
• Sick Leave

For additional information on benefits click here (Download PDF reader). Our Benefits at a Glance (Download PDF reader) outlines the amazing benefits for this position.

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages foster youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS (HHS) system to apply. Minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are also 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 college or university with a Bachelor's degree and the equivalent of three years of full-time experience in a social work capacity in a public or private agency;

graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in social work and the equivalent of two years of full-time experience in a social work capacity in a public or private agency; a Master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university; an equivalent combination of graduate education in the social or behavioral sciences from an accredited college or university and qualifying experience up to a maximum of thirty semester hours for one year of the required experience; employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes the equivalent of one year of full-time experience as a Social Worker 2 shall be considered as qualified.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description (Download PDF reader).

Additional Qualification Requirements

For designated positions in case management, the appointing authority may request those applicants possessing a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major or at least 30 semester hours or its equivalent in the behavioral sciences, education, health care, human services administration, or social sciences and the equivalent of 12 months of full-time experience in the delivery of human services in the combination of: chronic mental illness, developmental disabilities, and intellectual disabilities as a Targeted (Medicaid) Case Manager;

an Iowa license to practice as a registered nurse and the equivalent of three years of full-time nursing or human services experience with the above population groups.

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