CASA Program Assistant 2

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plans

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life insurance & long-term disability

Employee Assistance Program

Employee discount programs

Job summary

Iowa CASA Bureau, a division under the Iowa Health and Human Services, seeks an Administrative Assistant 2 who will keep the state office running and support CASA volunteers and local programs. You will manage records, assist with budgeting, and handle communications and data tasks critical to serving Iowa's children in the welfare system.

The role emphasizes organization, stakeholder relationships, and servant leadership, with responsibilities spanning finance, records, and coordination across

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in any field.
• Five years of education and/or full-time experience as described, where 1 year equals 30 college hours.

Responsibilities

• Connect the Network and keep the State Office running.
• Plan, schedule, and organize Bureau work to focus on goals and priorities.
• Maintain Bureau records and data systems, provide data support to field staff and coordinators.
• Track and conduct volunteer background checks.
• Respond to information requests from volunteers and the public.
• Serve as secretary to the Iowa Child Advocacy Board.
• Coordinate team meeting logistics and Bureau communication.
• Manage Bureau mail, email, and phone inquiries; provide first-line tech support.
• Support Bureau finances; review and advise on the annual budget; monitor revenue and spending.

Skills

Organizational skills

Relationship-building

Servant leadership

Budget & data systems familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Total five years education/experience

Job description

Job Description

Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Compliance, Bureau of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is seeking an Administrative Assistant 2 to join our team!

About The Role

CASA of Iowa believes every child in Iowa's child welfare court system deserves a consistent, informed voice speaking up for their best interests. The CASA Bureau's ability to deliver that service depends on strong infrastructure behind the scenes. The State Office Administrative Assistant is the hub of that infrastructure: the person who keeps the state office running, keeps local programs and volunteers supported, and keeps the Bureau's finances sound.

This isn't a peripheral support role. This role is foundational to the Bureau's ability to function. Without reliable records, timely background checks, clear communication, and sound fiscal management, local CASA programs can't operate, and volunteers can't be matched with the children who need them. The person in this seat makes the whole system work.

If you're organized, relationship-driven, and motivated by service to children and to the teams who advocate for them, we want to hear from you

What You'll Do

• Connect the Network
• Keep the State Office Running
• Plan, schedule, and organize the Bureau's work so time and attention stay focused on its goals, projects, and priorities
• Maintain Bureau records and data systems, providing data support to field staff and case-related data support to local program coordinators
• Track and conduct volunteer background checks
• Respond to information requests from potential volunteers and the public
• Serve as secretary to the Iowa Child Advocacy Board
• Facilitate communication across the CASA state network and coordinate team meeting logistics
• Manage Bureau mail, email, and phone inquiries
• Provide first-line support on Bureau technology issues
• Steward Bureau Finances
• Review and advise on the annual Bureau budget
• Monitor Bureau revenue and spending, and ensure bills are submitted for payment on time
• Prepare financial statements as requested
• Serve as fiscal liaison with Friends of Iowa CASA, preparing and verifying paperwork for that partnership
• Support leadership and local teams in maintaining Friends of Iowa CASA accounts

What We're Looking For

• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and shifting demands
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills, across state staff, local coordinators, volunteers, and the public
• A commitment to servant leadership and to the mission of the CASA Bureau and the children it serves
• Comfort working with financial records, budgets, and data systems

Why This Role Matters

Local CASA programs run on the systems this position maintains — background checks that keep volunteers vetted, data that keeps cases connected to the right advocates, and finances that keep the partnership with Friends of Iowa CASA healthy. This is a role where day-to-day administrative excellence translates directly into better outcomes for children in the court system.

If you're ready to bring your organizational skill and your heart for service to a team that's doing work that matters — we'd love to hear from you.

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.

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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in any field, and experience equal to one year of full-time administrative support (e.g., screening visitors and callers; opening/distributing mail, typing/proofing documents, letters, and reports; organizing files; scheduling meetings/appointments; arranging travel; processing travel claims; ordering supplies/equipment) or technical support work (e.g., determining budget, personnel, and equipment needs; compiling/evaluating statistical, historical, economic, business, financial or technical program data; interpreting or securing compliance with laws, rules and regulations; reviewing operating records/reports and evaluating their effectiveness).
• A total of five years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one) where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to 12 months of full-time work as a Program Assistant 1.