Child and Family Services Case Manager

About the Role

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Family Well-Being & Protection, Bureau of Child Protective Services, is hiring a Child & Family Services Case Manager for the Northern Iowa Service Area based out of Black Hawk County HHS (1407 Independence Ave., Waterloo, IA 50704) covering Waterloo and surrounding areas.

This role focuses on ongoing case management, walking alongside families after their initial assessments to help them navigate challenges and build stronger, safer futures. Unlike short-term or emergency roles, this position allows you to become a steady, compassionate presence in a family's life, supporting permanency planning and promoting reunification whenever possible.

Essential Skills

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

Responsibilities

• 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

Benefits

• 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 (employees contribute 6.29%, State contributes 9.44%) and Retirement Investors Club (RIC) with employer match up to $75/month
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care expenses
• Life insurance and free long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges
• Employee Discount Programs on a variety of goods and services

Schedule & Requirements

• Full-time, Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
• On-call rotation: evenings, weekends, some holidays
• Telework may be available after a 6-month probation
• Mileage reimbursement: $0.50/mile
• Valid driver's license required
• Background check required
• Designated positions require obtaining a Chauffeurs License and endorsements within a period determined by the appointing authority

Minimum Qualifications

• 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 one year of full-time qualifying work experience for one year (thirty semester or equivalent hours) of the required education, up to a maximum substitution of four years