Salary : $70,075.20 - $108,388.80 Annually
Location : Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 27-01392
Agency: 400 Health & Human Services - Public Health
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 11/23/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
Point of Contact: Job DescriptionThe Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program Manager position directs daily program operations, oversees planning and quality assurance activities, and ensures alignment with CDC requirements, Iowa Administrative Code, and HHS standards.
This position manages program policies, procedures, and provider guidance materials; evaluates progress toward annual goals; and implements improvements that strengthen statewide immunization practices. The Program Manager also oversees vaccine ordering, distribution, storage, and accountability for more than 600 enrolled providers, ensuring adherence to federal and state requirements and addressing issues related to wastage, misuse, fraud, or other compliance concerns. The role includes preparing monthly vaccine spend plans and monitoring funding availability to support vaccine access statewide.
This position serves as Iowa's technical expert on VFC Program requirements by providing training, technical assistance, and daily consultative support to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, clinic administrators, and other healthcare professionals. Responsibilities include developing educational materials, conducting provider enrollment and compliance visits, and communicating updates on federal program policy to ensure providers remain informed and compliant.
The Program Manager analyzes vaccine utilization, inventory, and compliance data; prepares required state and federal reports; coordinates with epidemiologists and the Iowa Immunization Registry Information System (IRIS) team; and contributes to grant documentation and broader program evaluation efforts. This role identifies trends, monitors provider performance, and recommends operational strategies that improve vaccine availability and reduce avoidable wastage.
The VFC Program Manager serves as the primary liaison to the CDC, Medicaid, local public health agencies, healthcare providers, and other statewide partners. The role includes participating in discussions related to administrative rule updates, program processes, and statewide immunization policies; representing Iowa at meetings and conferences; and collaborating to strengthen Iowa's immunization infrastructure through improved coordination, workflow enhancements, and partner engagement.
BenefitsWorking 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.
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Background ChecksApplicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.
Minimum Qualification RequirementsApplicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to four years of full-time professional-level work in program administration, program development, program operations, or management.
- A total of eight years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
- All of the following (a, b, and c):(a) Two years of full-time professional-level work experience in program administration, program development, program operations, or management; and (b) A total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and (c) A total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public-service-related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, public health, law, education, engineering) equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.
- Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twelve months of full-time work as a Program Manager 1 or comparable specific management-level position.
For additional information, please click on this .
01
Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely.
Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.
- Yes - I understand and agree.
- No
02
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?
- No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
- Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
03
Have you graduated from an accredited four-year college or university? IF YES- How many years do you have of full-time professional level work in program administration, program development, program operations, or management?
- I have not graduated from an accredited four year college or university
- Less than two years of the identified experience
- Two years to less than four years of the identified experience
- Four years or more of the identified experience
04
How many years do you have of COMBINED post high school education AND/OR experience in full-time professional level work such as program administration, program development, program operations, or management? 30 semester hours equals one year of experience.
- I do not have any of the education and/or experience
- Less than four years of the combined education and/or experience
- Four years to less than eight years of the combined education and/or experience
- Eight years or more of the combined education and/or experience
05
Do you meet A, B and C:(A) Two years of full-time professional-level work experience in program administration, program development, program operations, or management; and (B) A total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and (C) A total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public-service-related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, public health, law, education, engineering) equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.
- Yes - I meet A, B and C
- I do not meet A, B and C
06
Are you a current State of Iowa employee? IF YES - How many months do you have of continuous experience in the state executive branch as a Program Manager 1 or comparable specific management-level position?
- I am not a State of Iowa employee
- Less than 12 months of experience as a full-time work as a Program Manager 1 or comparable specific management-level position.
- 12 months or more of experience as a Program Manager 1 or a comparable management level position
Required Question
