Social Worker 2 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 a Social Worker 2 to join our team!

Do you enjoy working with children and families? If so, this is a great opportunity! Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has a current opening for a team member in the Family and Child Well-Being Division. HHS is responsible for working with families who have experienced abuse and neglect. You will play a key role in preparing and supporting children and families for a successful adoption.

HOURS: Core hours are Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M however, flexibility in schedule is allowed with supervisory approval. Overtime may be required based on business need and position will require working some evenings, weekends, and holidays.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Travel, a valid driver’s license, and reliable vehicle.

LOCATIONS: This position is based in Story County, covers other counties in that area, and does require in-office presence with a probationary period of six months. Upon completion of probation, some telework may be an option for this position if requested by the employee and approved by leadership.

DUTIES: This position provides case management for children and families, with a primary focus on adoption services to eligible individuals/families over multiple counties in the Northern Service Area, including but not limited to:

• Professional and timely documentation of referred and provided services.
• 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.
• Respond to situations decisively and effectively (within policy) as family needs change which would include supervisory consultation as needed.
• Coordination of adoption services with the foster care program and work with both public and private agencies
• Upload/e-file timely, accurate and detailed documentation for court involved cases and manage your schedule to accommodate your caseload.
• Be a good team player with your co-workers and be willing to ask for and provide help.
• Attend and participate in various training sessions offered by HHS and other partner agencies.
• Manage a diverse caseload of children and families that require ongoing service provision to ensure safety. These cases may involve children placed in foster care and/or have oversight by juvenile court.
• Understand and use multiple computer programs and data systems.
• Attend court hearings and provide professional testimony on behalf of the Iowa Health and Human Services.
• Interviewing, consultation and decision making relating to approving or denying adoptive placements.
• Collaborate with medical/mental health community partners, schools, legal partners, law enforcement, local community resources and others based on case needs.

To ensure the Northern Service Area is providing the best service to the residents of Iowa, applicants should demonstrate exceptional customer service skills, integrity, and a strong work ethic.

• Ability to multi-task
• Customer service including de-escalation of conflictual or adversarial situations
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Excellent oral and written communication and report composition
• Critical thinking skills and plan development
• Teamwork, collaboration, and consultation
• The following experience/skills are preferred:

Our Benefits at a Glance outlines the great benefits for this position.

Minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and those with the ability to speak, read, and/or write additional languages (include in your application or resume) is encouraged to apply.

(Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD). DHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages foster youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply.

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 this link to view the job description .