Bureau Chief, Deputy State Registrar

State of Iowa; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

PTO and holidays

Retirement plans (IPERS)

Job summary

Iowa Health & Human Services - Public Health seeks a Public Service Manager 2 to serve as the Deputy State Registrar and Bureau Chief of Health Statistics in Des Moines. The role leads a large team, advances data modernization, and ensures policy-aligned operations with strong stakeholder engagement.

Hybrid work is available with core hours Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Preference for servant leadership and collaboration across agencies to improve public health outcomes.

Qualifications

• Strong strategic and operational leadership for large, complex programs.
• Proven servant leadership and ability to develop people.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Bureau of Health Statistics as Deputy State Registrar.
• Oversee a large multidisciplinary team with clear goals and performance expectations.
• Drive data modernization and improved operational efficiency across the bureau.
• Manage budgeting and resource allocation including a $3.0M budget.
• Ensure data security, compliance, and external contracts.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operations leadership

Servant leadership

Data governance

Budget oversight

Policy interpretation

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory compliance

Job description

This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Health & Human Services - Public Health.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Public Health, Bureau of Health Statistics, is seeking a Public Service Manager 2 to serve as the Deputy State Registrar and Bureau Chief of Health Statistics.

This role also serves as the State Registrar of vital statistics. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong operational leadership skills, demonstrated success in servant leadership, and a deep commitment to improving public health outcomes through data modernization, stakeholder engagement, and sound policy implementation.

This is a full-time opportunity, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This position is located in Des Moines, with some flexibility for remote work.

Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated success in servant leadership, including developing people, fostering collaboration, and leading through influence.

Key Responsibilities

Management & Operations

• Lead and oversee all functions of the Bureau of Health Statistics, serving as the Deputy State Registrar.
• Manage a large, multidisciplinary team (13 direct and 26 indirect reports) with clear goals, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Drive bureau-wide improvement by optimizing processes, strengthening operational efficiency, and advancing data modernization.
• Oversee budgeting and resource allocation, including management of a $3.0M vital records retained fees budget.
• Ensure secure and compliant data systems; manage contracts, data-sharing agreements, and research agreements.
• Maintain compliance with state and federal regulations related to records, security, confidentiality, and public access.
• Build strong partnerships across agencies and organizations to advance public health outcomes.

Policy Leadership

• Provide guidance on policy issues and legislative impacts to staff and stakeholders.
• Lead bureau policy development, review, and implementation, in collaboration with bureau supervisors and legal partners.
• Manage rulemaking activities, respond to legislative inquiries, and interpret new laws affecting bureau operations.
• Communicate changes in administrative rules and legal requirements to internal teams and external partners.
• Prepare legislative assessments, fiscal notes, and represent the bureau within state and national organizations.

Supervision & People Leadership

• Cultivate a high-performing, mission-driven team through coaching, mentorship, and professional development.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, training, evaluation, and performance management in alignment with state policies and regulatory requirements.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused, transparent, and accountable workplace culture.

Other Duties

• Serve as a bureau representative in public forums, media inquiries, professional associations, and interagency collaborations.
• Respond to questions from legislators, stakeholders, and the public.

Required Competencies & Skills

• Strong strategic and operational leadership, with proven ability to oversee complex programs and large teams
• Demonstrated success in servant leadership
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Deep understanding of data governance, confidentiality, and public health data systems
• Skill in budget development, fiscal oversight, and resource allocation
• Ability to interpret laws, administrative rules, and legislative impacts
• Experience with continuous improvement, quality management principles, and process redesign
• Strong analytical decision-making and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to foster collaboration and lead cross-functional initiatives
• High ethical standards with commitment to transparency, accountability, and public service
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities
• Capacity to navigate complex legal, regulatory, and policy environments

Benefits

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth:

• 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:Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation (96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
• Retirement Plans:Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible Spending Accounts:Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage:Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program:Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee Discount Programs:Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.

For additional information on benefits.

Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

Background Checks

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

All work performed on behalf of Iowa Health and Human Services must occur in the State of Iowa.

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and experience equal to six years of full-time management-level work in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation.

2) Ten years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation.

3) All of the following (a and b):

a. Six years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and

b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

4) All of the following (a, b, and c):

a. Four years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and

b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and

c. A combination of a total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public-service-related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, law, education, engineering) equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

5) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Public Service Manager 1 or comparable specific management-level position.

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