CASA Program Assistant 2

State of Iowa; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision

Paid time off

Retirement plans

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Employee discounts

Job summary

Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Compliance, Bureau of CASA, seeks an Administrative Assistant 2 to help run the state office, support local CASA programs, volunteers, and the finances.

The role emphasizes organization, communication, and serving the mission to advocate for Iowa's children in the welfare court system, including records, background checks, and coordination.

Benefits include comprehensive health coverage, retirement plans, paid time off, and more.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college.
• Experience equivalent to one year of full-time administrative support.
• Five years of education and/or full-time experience accepted in lieu of degree.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes 12 months as a Program Assistant 1.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison between local CASA programs and the state office.
• Plan, schedule, and organize the Bureau's work; maintain 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 manage Bureau mail, email, and phone inquiries.
• Provide first-line support on Bureau technology issues.
• Assist with Bureau finances and budgeting, and liaise with Friends of Iowa CASA.

Skills

Organizational skills

Relationship-building

Servant leadership

Financial records & budgets

Data systems

Education

Bachelor's degree

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

1. Connect the Network

Serve as the link between local CASA programs across the state, volunteers, and the state office — making sure information, resources, and support flow where they're needed.

1. 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

1. 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.

For additional information on benefits click here.

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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.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to 12 months of full-time work as a Program Assistant 1.

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