Salary: $80,819.00 Annually
Location : River Place, 2309 Euclid, Des Moines, IA
Job Type: Grant Funded
Job Number: 26-1125
Department: Polk County Behavioral Health & Disability Services
Opening Date: 06/23/2026
Closing Date: 7/9/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: PRA
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Sat/Sun Off)
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME/Professional
Salary Grade: 12
Location: River Place
Under general supervision, performs advanced, professional, and consultative social work duties for the Disability Access Point by ensuring high-quality navigation services across subcontracted providers. This role supports contract compliance, operational oversight, and technical guidance to ensure effective and uniform service delivery.
Illustrative Examples of Work - Assists the Disability Access Point Supervisor in ensuring contract compliance, addressing subcontractor questions, and contributing to program initiatives for sub-contractor Disability Service Navigators serving individuals and their caregivers across District 5.
- Provides technical guidance to subcontract navigators regarding complex client-level situations, helping ensure accurate interpretation and implementation of DAP service expectations, including Information and Assistance, Options Counseling, Short-Term Services and Supports, and non-Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports Coordination.
- Interprets, communicates, and clarifies policies, procedures, and requirements to subcontractor navigators to support consistent service delivery and adherence to statewide standards.
- Delivers training, coaching, and ongoing support to subcontractor navigators to strengthen skills related to assessing needs, developing service plans, providing referrals, and supporting client-directed goal setting.
- Reviews and analyzes reports and data submitted by subcontractor agencies, identifying trends, performance strengths, and areas requiring improvement, and provides recommendations to leadership for follow-up actions.
- Serves as a liaison between the DAP program and community organizations, provider agencies, and other partners to support strategic communication, problem resolution, and effective coordination of services and supports.
- Maintains organized and accurate documentation related to subcontractor performance, program operations, and technical guidance provided.
- Performs related duties as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Thorough knowledge of the methods and techniques of social work and service coordination for individuals with disabilities.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles of human growth, behavior, and the social determinants that impact long-term services and supports.
- Thorough knowledge of common disability-related and mental health needs, functional limitations, and how these relate to service planning and navigation.
- Thorough knowledge of community-based resources, short-term and long-term services and supports, and statewide systems available to individuals with disabilities or mental health diagnoses, their families, and caregivers.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local program rules, policies, and procedures governing disability and mental health social service programs.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of program planning, implementation, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.
- Knowledge of contract compliance standards and performance monitoring practices for subcontracted service providers.
- Knowledge of data analysis methods used to assess service trends, identify performance gaps, and support program decision-making.
- Ability to develop and provide coaching, technical assistance, and constructive feedback to support navigator performance and program consistency.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when addressing complex client circumstances and supporting navigator decision-making.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with community organizations, providers, agencies, and stakeholders to resolve issues and coordinate services.
- Ability to maintain professionalism when navigating high-stress or sensitive situations.
- Ability to interpret, apply, and communicate rules, regulations, and program standards governing DAP services.
- Ability to use persuasion, tact, negotiation skills, and diplomacy to effectively resolve disputes and gain consensus.
- Ability to prepare, proofread, edit, and submit complete and concise case records and progress reports.
- Ability to analyze program data and contractor reporting to identify trends, areas of concern, and opportunities for improvement.
- Ability to use electronic management information systems and reporting tools with accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to express ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to assist and interact effectively with non-English speaking clients.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA regulations.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with clients, other County employees, representatives of related community organizations, and the general public, fostering a collaborative and professional work environment.
Training and Experience - Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or Sociology, or related, and
- Four years of experience working with people with mental health, brain injuries, or intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, including two years of progressive leadership experience, or
- Any equivalent combination of training and experience that will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Special Requirements:- A criminal background check is required.
- Candidate must pass a Criminal History Record Check through the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation and a Child/Adult Abuse Record Check through the Iowa Department of Human Services.
- A drug screen is required prior to final offer of employment.
- A valid State of Iowa driver's license is required.
- HIPAA training is required upon hire and annually.
- Mandatory Reporters of Child/Adult Abuse training is required within six months of hire and every three years thereafter.
This position is state-funded and is therefore contingent upon the continued availability of funding. If funding is reduced or discontinued, positions are subject to elimination.Click below for a detailed overview of our benefits package.
