Division Director of Community Access and Eligibility

This is a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking an inspiring, visionary executive leader to serve as the next Division Director of Community Access and Eligibility (CAE)—a role that sits at the center of Iowa’s efforts to strengthen health, opportunity and economic stability across the state.

As a member of the Department’s senior leadership team and a direct report to the HHS Director, the Division Director helps shape the strategic, policy and budget direction of the entire agency. This is a rare opportunity for a strategic, forward-thinking professional to lead one of Iowa’s most operationally complex and socially impactful divisions.

About the Role
The CAE Division Director provides executive leadership for the Community Access and Eligibility Division, which touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of Iowans. This role demands a leader who can guide large-scale systems, modernize benefits delivery, champion operational excellence and bring creative, people-centered innovation to the way we serve Iowans.

Key leadership responsibilities include:

• Partnering with the HHS Director, Deputy Director and Executive Management Team to establish policy priorities, drive systemwide improvements, and set long-term strategic direction.
• Overseeing operations, budget, and policy across Child Support Services, Operations, Economic Assistance and the Bureau of Refugee Services.
• Evaluating division performance and identifying opportunities to strengthen outcomes, increase efficiency, and align programs with agency goals.
• Leading metric-driven planning and implementing strategic initiatives that improve customer experience, enhance integrity, and expand equitable access.
• Representing HHS in high-level legislative, interagency and public forums—including engagement with the Council on Human Services, Legislature, Governor’s Office, Department of Management and other key partners.
• Ensuring strong compliance with all state and federal program requirements.

Scope of Program Leadership
The Administrator provides executive oversight and strategic direction for a wide range of statewide services, including:

• Economic Assistance: Eligibility determinations for all of the major economic benefits offered through Iowa HHS (Medicaid, SNAP, FIP) , case management, customer service, specialized eligibility units, the Income Maintenance Customer Service Center, Child Care Assistance eligibility, rent reimbursement, centralized claims recovery, health insurance premium payment, and major systems such as ELIAS (the Medicaid eligibility system).
• Food and Financial Supports: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Food Distribution, Family Investment Program (FIP), PROMISE JOBS, FaDSS, Summer EBT, training and outreach, and related policy support
• Child Support Services: Regional operations, policy development, system support, budgeting, case management support and administrative functions
• Operations: Quality control, quality assurance, continuous improvement, and system performance evaluation
• Bureau of Refugee Services:Employment services, translation services cash and benefits Assistance, interpretation and legal services.

Key Executive Responsibilities

• Provide consistent guidance, communication, and leadership to managers and teams across the division
• Ensure alignment with HHS goals, priorities and strategic initiatives

• Maintain effective relationships with agency leadership, boards, committees and partners across state government
• Identify and monitor key performance indicators to strengthen accountability and outcomes
• Uphold compliance with federal and state laws, regulations and program standards.

Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will bring:

• Executive-level leadership within large, complex human services, public administration or related systems
• Experience in organizational management, including operations, policy and budget strategy
• Expertise in eligibility systems, customer-facing service delivery, or health and human services programs
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to engage confidently with state leaders, legislators and public stakeholders
• A commitment to innovation, continuous improvement and expanding equitable access to essential services.

Why Join Us
This is more than a leadership role—it’s an opportunity to shape systems that improve lives and strengthen communities across Iowa. If you're a mission-driven leader who thrives in dynamic environments and is energized by driving meaningful, statewide impact, we encourage you to apply.

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 benefitsclick 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 visitwww.e-verify.gov.

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 public administration, social work, psychology, human services, or business management and experience equal to seven years of full-time management/executive-level work in human services including child welfare, social work or services, healthcare, hospital or health system administration, or business.

2) A total of eleven years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where one year of full-time experience equals 30 semester hours of education (maximum substitution of four years).

3) A total of eleven years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where 18 semester hours of accredited college or university graduate-level course work in a management-oriented curriculum (e.g., public or business administration) equal one year of full-time experience (maximum substitution of two years).

4) A total of eleven years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where 24 semester hours of accredited college or university graduate-level course work in a special program curriculum (e.g., social work or data processing) equal one year of full-time experience (maximum substitution of two years).

5) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to two years of full-time work as a Public Service Executive or comparable management-level position.

6) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to four years of full-time work as a Public Service Manager 2 or comparable management-level position.