Activities Specialist Jobs

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). We are seeking an Activity Specialist to join the team at the State Training School (STS) in Eldora, which provides supportive counseling and behavioral health treatment for young men, ages 12-18, who were adjudicated delinquent.

This is a full-time opportunity with a 4-day, 10 hours a day, work week (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; 10:00 am – 8:00 pm). We also offer a strong opportunity for advancement, growth, and development.

The Activities Specialist plans, organizes, and delivers a comprehensive program of activities, physical education, and recreation. Promotes student rehabilitation by including a wide range of activities that provide for both.

Supervises, instructs, and guides students in various activities according to established and accepted rules of the activity. Encourages and assists students in developing and building self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-improvement through participation in individual and group activities. Monitors, sets goals, and provides opportunity for students to change behavior through specific tasks. Helps students realize the importance of functioning, participating, and competing as a part of a large cohesive group. Instructs students in activities according to official rules of the game, individual and group needs. Ensures full utilization of available facilities, equipment, and personnel.

If you enjoy rewarding yet challenging work, helping young men find stability in their lives and security in their future, this is this the right job for you. Your work at the STS has the potential to help these young men and change their future.

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

• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
• Vacation Leave
• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS)
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• This location offers free on campus gym for the staff, during off student hours. This includes 3 full size basketball courts, a weight room with machine and free weights, cardio equipment, showers, and lockers.

The STS is located in Eldora, Iowa, a quaint community with a population of 2,800 residents, located in north central Iowa. Eldora is an Iowa River Greenbelt Community and the Iowa River Greenbelt Scenic Drive winds through a picturesque landscape of valleys, woods, and streams.

Eldora is 45 minutes away from Ames and Cedar Falls, 30 minutes from Marshalltown, and only 20 minutes from Iowa Falls. Des Moines, Iowa’s capital, is just 1 hour and 15 minutes away.

• Des Moines has one of the nation’s finest State Fairs and is home to the Iowa Cubs, Wells Fargo Arena host site of NCAA Basketball, premier concerts, and Lauridsen Skatepark, the nation’s largest skatepark.
• Iowa Falls is the home of Ellsworth Community College. https://ecc.iavalley.edu
• Cedar Falls is the home of the University of Northern Iowa, https://uni.edu/
• Ames, Iowa is the home of the Iowa State University, one of the nation’s largest Universities featuring a premier Engineering school and one of the leading Veterinary and Agricultural schools. https://www.iastate.edu/

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 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 major course work in art, the behavioral/social sciences, industrial therapy, music, occupational therapy, physical education, recreation, rehabilitation, therapeutic recreation, or other closely related fields;

OR

experience at a level comparable to Activities Assistant or above may be substituted in any equivalent combination for the required education on the basis of one year of experience for each thirty-semester hours of education to a maximum of four years;

OR

employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to two years of full-time work as an Activities Assistant.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Qualification Requirements

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

At the time of interview, applicants referred to Glenwood and Woodward State Hospital-Schools will be assessed to determine if they meet federal government employment requirements as published in the Federal Register, Volume 39, No. 12, Thursday, January 17, 1974, Section 20-CFR-405.1101.