Salary : $85,176.00 - $171,787.20 Annually
Location : Cherokee - 51012 - Cherokee County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 27-00512
Agency: 400 Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care
Opening Date: 08/20/2026
Closing Date: 8/30/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-DNP
Point of Contact:

Job Description
This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care.

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), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care is seeking an Institutional Superintendent to join and lead our team with the Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI) and the Civil Commitment Unit for Sex Offenders (CCUSO). This is a full-time position with a Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. schedule that also has on-call responsibilities and may require travel, additional hours, and evening/weekend work. Some remote work is possible with approval.

This position will lead and manage a team of direct care, administrative, and clinical professionals, and represent the facility and HHS with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, the Iowa legislature, law enforcement, and policy makers. The Superintendent will provide strategic direction and day-to-day operational oversight of both facilities, including managing the budget, licensing/accreditation compliance, and ensuring the safety and well-being of all staff and clients.

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

CMHI provides active inpatient treatment to adults in need of acute psychiatric care. The facility offers several services includingindividualized treatment plans. Support for patients with special education needs to continue their education is provided, and individuals are encouraged to collaborate with staff members in formulating their own plan. Medication, group counseling, and activities therapies might be included as well. For more CMHI info:

CCUSO provides a secure, long-term, and highly structured setting to treat sexual offenders who have served their prison terms, but, in a separate civil trial, have been found likely to reoffend. The facility provides state-of-the-art treatment to patients to lower their risk of re-offending and to release them from confinement as quickly as possible. There is a full range of diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitative services focused on addressing the conditions impacting a patient's likelihood of re-offending. For more CCUSO info:

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 benefits

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A hybrid work schedule may be available for this position, subject to agency policy and operational needs. All work performed on behalf of Iowa Health and Human Services must occur in the State of Iowa.

Cherokee Highlights

CMHI and CCUSO are located in Cherokee, a city of approximately 5,000 set in the beautiful Little Sioux River Valley in Northwest Iowa. Residents enjoy fishing and canoeing on the Little Sioux River which winds through town providing a backdrop to a well-developed parks and trails system. In addition, Cherokee has over 1,000 acres of land devoted to parks and outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and horseback riding. Cherokee is the home of the first accredited museum and planetarium in Iowa, Sandford Museum and Planetarium, established in 1951. Cherokee may be the smallest town in the world to have its own symphony orchestra! This 60-member orchestra has been referred to as the "best kept secret in Northwest Iowa."

Cherokee is home to Western Iowa Tech Community College and 1 hour or less from other educational institutions including Morningside College, Northwestern College, Buena Vista University, and Dordt College. This quintessential Iowa town is 1 hour from Sioux City and 2 hours from Omaha. Check out these .

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university and the equivalent of five years of full-time management experience in a correctional, mental health, intellectual disability or juvenile correctional or training facility;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting the equivalent of one year of the above type full-time work experience for each year of the required education to a maximum substitution of four years;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting the equivalent of one year (twenty-four semester or equivalent hours) of graduate level course work in penology, the social/behavioral sciences, business administration or public administration, for each year of the required full-time experience to a maximum substitution of two years.

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