Child & Family Services Case Aid Ottumwa - Wapello County

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 Aid for the Cedar Rapids Service Area based out of Wapello County HHS (120 E Main St, Ottumwa, IA 52501) Covering Ottumwa 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

Are you someone who believes in the power of connection, healing, and long‑term support? As a Child & Family Services Case Aid, you’ll walk alongside social workers and 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.

Responsibilities

• Assist with facilitating interactions between children and their parents.
• Supervise the interactions as directed by the assigned case manage.
• Transport children/parents to appointments to access the services needed.
• Provide support to placements to increase stability and resolve barriers.
• Meet with families who have given notice or are contemplating giving notice and assist in getting problems resolved quickly as they arise.
• Assist with Family Finding efforts including helping locate relatives for placement.
• Assist staff by auditing cases to assure all required information is included in the file.
• Assist with completion of other case work related activities as requested.
• Organize and maintain files and maintain confidentiality as required.

The ideal candidate will:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with state, local and federal agencies, private enterprise, other political subdivisions, and the public.
• Demonstrate excellent judgment and communication skills.
• Ability to provide good written documentation in a timely manner.
• Ability to prioritize and work under pressure.
• Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrates integrity and a strong work ethic.
• Ability to use independent judgement to make sound decisions.

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 View phone number on click.appcast.io 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

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

Graduation from an accredited area college with an Associate's of Arts or Science Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Case Management, Public Administration, Sociology, Psychology, or Nursing; OR an equivalent combination of experience and education substituting one year of the required full-time experience in social work, human services, case management, public administration, sociology, psychology, or nursing for each year (30 semester hours or one year) of the required education.

For additional information on benefits.

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link to view the job description.

Some positions in this class may require a valid driver’s license.

Travel may be required for positions in this class. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.