Child Protection Worker 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). HHS, Family Well-Being and Protection Division, is seeking Child Protection Workers (Social Worker 3) to conduct assessments of allegations of abuse or neglect of vulnerable children in the Cedar Rapids Service area. These vital frontline positions require multi-tasking and the ability to gather physical and documentary evidence and analyze information with accuracy and efficiency to assist in protecting the most vulnerable Iowans.

Summary

This is a full-time opportunity, Monday – Friday with typical hours being from 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM with overtime as needed including weekend on call rotation. This position is domiciled in Wapello County. Telework may be an option upon successful completion of the training period, and will travel on a regular basis to conduct the assessments of allegations within the Cedar Rapids 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.

Core Essential Functions

• Troubleshoots problematic situations to find innovative solutions to present to administration and the supervisor. Confronts crisis situations and high stress situations in a calm and orderly manner. Maintaining confidential information as required by the agency and assuring safety is a top priority for all in the office.
• Within an office environment, provides Division support to large segment of agency through managing internal and external requests for information and legislative reviews requiring comprehension of request, independent judgment and adherence to agency formatting of timely response or communication. Interact with employees and customers in a positive customer service manner to resolve problems and answer customer inquiries. Customer contacts may include correspondence, telephone, or walk-ins to the local office.
• Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain reasonable facts, data, or other information that analyzes information and draws accurate conclusions.
• Frequent interaction with law enforcement, medical/mental health community partners, schools, etc.
• All cases assigned to persons in this position require home visits, detailed interviews, and thorough narrative documentation.
• This position will be required to work or be on standby during nights and weekends on a rotational basis.
• Obtain information from a wide variety of sources, including written materials, telephone conversations and through computer databases and to be able to read and interpret the data.
• Interacts in a team environment to manage group processes, facilitates, and encourages cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity, fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• This position requires the ability to apply Iowa Code, agency policy, and sound professional judgment to highly complex situations involving crises and or chronic abuse or neglect.
• Assess the ongoing risk to children, develop safety plans, assess the strengths, and needs of the child and family, and make recommendations to various county attorneys and courts.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• The ability to speak more than one language. Please list any additional languages you speak in your application.
• Excellent judgment and communication skills and the ability to provide good written documentation in a timely manner.
• The ability to use independent judgement to make sound decisions, demonstrate integrity and confidentiality and a strong work ethic.
• The ability to develop case plans, use critical thinking skills, prioritize work and work under pressure.
• Strong observational and analytical skills, as well the ability to respectfully engage families as partners in planning for safety and establish a working relationship with families.

How To Apply

For help creating a profile or entering your information, please go to the online Employment Application Guide .

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

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

For additional information on benefits click here . Our Benefits at a Glance 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;

OR

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;

OR

a Master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university;

OR

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;

OR

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 .

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;

OR

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.