Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Recruitment began on May 8, 2025, and the job listing expires on May 19, 2025.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of State Training School (STS), is seeking a Youth Counselor to join our team. This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week, with a Monday – Friday schedule from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (flexible hours) and weekends as needed. We offer opportunities for advancement, growth, and development.
The Youth Counselor provides counseling and related therapy as part of the treatment program for young men. Primary duties include:
1. Handling a diverse caseload of emotionally disordered students.
2. Providing both individual and group counseling.
Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered.
STS offers a holistic social, behavioral, psychiatric, academic, and vocational program using evidence-based practices to provide a secure, treatment-focused setting for males aged 12 to 18 who have been adjudicated delinquent. The program provides individualized treatment plans and comprehensive education to help young men transition successfully back into the community. If you enjoy rewarding yet challenging work and helping young men find stability and security, this is the right job for you. Your work at STS can help change these young men's futures.
We offer a competitive total compensation package, including:
* Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) (Employee contribution: 6.29%; State contribution: 9.44%)
* Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer-sponsored retirement plan; State of Iowa matches up to $75/month)
* Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
* Vacation Leave (starting at 96 hours/year, increasing with years of service)
* Sick Leave (144 hours/year)
* Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
* Flexible Spending Accounts
* Life Insurance ($20,000 paid by the State of Iowa)
* Long-Term Disability Insurance
* Free on-campus workout facilities, including basketball courts, weight rooms, cardio room, showers, and lockers.
For more information on benefits, click here. To compare with other employers or offers, use our Total Compensation Calculator.
Working at STS includes access to an on-campus gym with facilities for staff during off-student hours, offering a variety of exercise options at no cost.
Located in Eldora, a community of approximately 2,800 residents in north central Iowa, Eldora offers outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, hunting, and fishing, along with cultural and educational events. Nearby attractions include Pine Lake State Park and a scenic drive through valleys, woods, and streams.
Eldora is within 45 minutes of Ames and Cedar Falls, 30 minutes from Marshalltown, and 20 minutes from Iowa Falls. Des Moines is about 1 hour and 15 minutes away.
Highlights of nearby cities:
* Ames, Iowa: Home to Iowa State University, known for engineering, veterinary, and agricultural programs. https://www.iastate.edu/
* Des Moines: Known for the State Fair, Iowa Cubs, Wells Fargo Arena, major concerts, and Lauridsen Skatepark.
The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer.
HHS encourages applications from those with lived experience, including foster youth, foster parents, and parents who were in the HHS system. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. For hearing and speech impairments, Relay Iowa at 1-800-735-2942 TDD is available.
Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. Learn more at www.e-verify.gov.
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