Cottage Director

Job Description

This position is only for permanent Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care - State Training School employees. Those in any other status are not eligible to apply.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of State Training School (STS) is seeking a Cottage Director (Youth Counselor Supervisor) to join our team! This is a full-time position with a Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. schedule with flexibility required to handle the operations of the cottage effectively when needed.

This position is supervisory in nature and oversees staff including Youth Services Workers (YSWs) and Youth Counselors within an assigned cottage. STS encourages a strong team environment with the opportunity for professional development as a manager and leader. Additionally, HHS and STS offer opportunities for advancement to motivated individuals. The primary role of this position is to direct all operations for your assigned cottage. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Create and maintain weekly schedules with meaningful programming.

• Help train students and staff and implement new policies and revisions.

• Assist youth in the grievance process at the cottage level.

• Manage oversight of time and attendance of assigned employees.

• Issue coaching, re-training, and discipline as needed.

• Author employee performance evaluations and keep track of individual goals.

• Help to facilitate Aggression Replacement Training (A.R.T.) and other therapeutic programs.

• Coordinate the efforts of your team of approximately 11 YSWs and 2 Youth Counselors.

• Assist staff in the secure management of up to 16 male youth in your direct care.

• Provide weekly behavioral assessment updated on the progression of the youth in your cottage.

• Attend meetings and participate in management-level decision making on a weekly basis.

• Cover additional duties, including managerial functions at STS, when necessary. 

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

STS offers a holistic social, behavioral, psychiatric, academic, and vocational program that utilizes evidence-based practices to provide a secure setting, rooted in treatment, for males ages 12 to 18 years old who have been adjudicated delinquent. STS provides individualized treatment plans and offers comprehensive education with the goal of successfully transitioning young men back into the community. If you enjoy rewarding yet challenging work and helping young men find stability in their lives and security in their future, this is this the right job for you. Your work at STS has the potential to have a positive impact on the lives of youth in crisis, changing their future for the better. For more STS info: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-care-facilities/state-training-school

Benefits of Joining STS

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.
• Free On-Campus Workout Facilities

For additional information on benefits click here.

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Working at STS comes with a special perk! This location offers access for staff to the impressive on-campus gym during off student hours. This includes 3 full size basketball courts, two fully stocked weight rooms with machine and free weights, showers, and lockers. We also provide a cardio room for staff only featuring exercise mats and advanced treadmills and stationary bikes. Usage of these resources is completely free for all STS staff.

Eldora Highlights

STS is located in Eldora, a quaint community with a population of approximately 2,800 residents, located in north central Iowa. Eldora is an Iowa River Greenbelt Community and the Iowa River Greenbelt Scenic Drive winds through a picturesque landscape of valleys, woods, and streams. With easy access to the Iowa River and Pine Lake, outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking, kayaking, canoeing, hunting, and fishing, as well as the many educational opportunities, cultural activities, and entertainment events nearby, including a picturesque 9-hole golf course surrounded by Pine Lake State Park. 

Eldora is 45 minutes away from Ames and Cedar Falls, 30 minutes from Marshalltown, and only 20 minutes from Iowa Falls. Des Moines, Iowa’s capital, is just 1 hour and 15 minutes away.

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 HHS 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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a minimum of twelve semester hours in child development, criminology, mental health, psychology, social work, sociology, or closely related area and the equivalent of three years of full-time employment working with youth and/or adults in the above areas or closely related area at a level comparable to Youth Counselor, Social Worker 2, or above;

a Master's degree in the above areas or closely related area and one year of the above experience;an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of the above experience at a level comparable to a Youth Services Worker or above for each year of the above education up to a maximum of four years shall be considered as qualifying;the equivalent of eighteen months of full-time employment as a Youth Counselor in the state classified service shall be considered as qualifying.

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

Benefits

Supplemental Questions

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Agency Information

EmployerState of IowaAgency 400 Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care Address Lucas State Office Building
321 E 12th St
Des Moines, Iowa, 50319 Website https://hhs.iowa.gov/