Child & Family Services Case Manager

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision

Paid time off

Retirement plans

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Employee discounts

Job summary

The State of Iowa - Executive Branch invites qualified candidates to join the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services as a Child & Family Services Case Manager in the Des Moines area. You’ll work a full-time schedule, with on-call rotations and potential telework after six months, serving families with compassion and professional integrity.

Responsibilities include coordinating services, monitoring progress, and supporting permanency planning while advocating for families and collaborating

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or four years of direct, hands-on experience in social services.
• Strong communication, advocacy and crisis-management skills required.
• Ability to assess risk, coordinate services and document cases accurately.

Responsibilities

• Assess risk and safety factors for children and families in various settings.
• Schedule and conduct monthly in-home visits with parents and children.
• Complete timely, accurate case notes and court reports.
• Attend court hearings and testify when required.
• Respond to crisis situations with urgency and provide stabilization.
• Collaborate with legal professionals, law enforcement and service providers.
• Manage a diverse caseload with flexibility and analytical reasoning.

Skills

Engagement

Crisis management

Oral & written communication

Analytical thinking

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Description

• 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
• Valid driver’s license required
• Background check required

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 Des Moines Service Area based out of Polk County HHS (2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310) covering Des Moines and surrounding areas.

Position Details

• 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

Make a Lasting Impact: Child & Family Services Case Manager

Are you someone who believes in the power of connection, healing, and long-term support? As a Child & Family Services Case Manager, you’ll walk alongside families after their initial assessments, helping them navigate challenges and build stronger, safer futures together.

This role is all about building trust and fostering growth. You’ll:

• Coordinate services and resources tailored to each family’s needs
• Monitor progress and celebrate milestones, big and small
• Support permanency planning to ensure children have stable, loving homes
• Advocate for families through collaboration with service providers and legal partners
• Help address underlying issues and promote reunification whenever possible

What makes this work so meaningful is the relationships you build. Unlike short-term or emergency roles, ongoing case management allows you to become a steady, compassionate presence in a family’s life—someone they can count on. You’ll be part of their journey, helping shape a future filled with safety, support, and possibility.

If you’re ready to make a difference that lasts, we’d be honored to have you on our team.

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

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;
• 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.

Additional Qualification Requirements

Designated positions in this job class require applicants to obtain the required Chauffeurs License and endorsements within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.