Job Openings

This position will assist the Preparedness and Response Bureau to provide advanced emergency preparedness plan writing and existing plan revision. Program Planner 3 (PP3) will update, revise or create response plans based on past, present and future Iowa HHS response operations, this will include making recommendations on policies and procedures either new or revision of existing plans to ensure an effective ongoing response and recovery.

This position will work closely with the preparedness and response teams to assist in the development of after action reports. This position will assist the preparedness team on new plan writing as required by state and federal requirements. PP3 will also work with other departments throughout IAHHS to develop preparedness and response plans that help align IDPH and DHS strategic plans to include, preparedness, response, continuity of operations, PHAB accreditation in relations to preparedness and response among other possible plans.

PP3 will work in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and federal partners to ensure all ESF-8 and ESF-6 plans are maintained and updated based on current operating policies and procedures. This position will need to have a clear understanding on existing and/or new plan timelines to ensure Iowa HHS is compliant with the update and/or delivery of preparedness and response plans.

Assists preparedness and response teams on completion of grant application and reporting packages including performance narratives, outline of performance measures among other possible data elements. PP3 will assist in gathering quantitative and qualitative data for completion of federal reporting measures. This position will need to understand annual reporting requirements for the Bureau of Preparedness and Response to assist in the timely completion of all data elements.

As an employee of Iowa HHS this position may be called upon to respond in or out of the state of Iowa in an emergency or disaster to fill internal or external emergency response role and other duties as assigned by the Bureau Chief or Division Director.

For complete job description and application, click here.

The Medical Countermeasures (MCM) Coordinator is responsible for the Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) program. MCM provides technical assistance to all local health departments within the two CRI service areas to assure compliance with federal program requirements. MCM Coordinator will be responsible for attending all local CRI meetings and assisting in the completion of federal deliverables including annual exercises. MCM conducts an annual MCM Operational Readiness Review (ORR) of each CRI and facility, this will include completion of the self-assessment and data entry into the PHEP ORR Reporting and Tracking System (PORTS). MCM will also assist local CRI service areas with the completion of any required reporting into the PORTS system.

The position will plan, organize, and direct the development and maintenance of the Medical Countermeasures (MCM) program plan for the State of Iowa. The Iowa MCM Coordinator will assure that Iowa has the capacity and capability to obtain lifesaving pharmaceutical, medical supplies, and equipment from the federal government in any incident that overwhelms our existing resources.

The MCM Coordinator develops and maintains state antibiotic and antiviral medication caches, and Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) plans. Develops policies and procedures to assure the MCM, including SNS, are effectively and efficiently delivered, managed, and implemented at the state level during a public health emergency to achieve the operational capability to deliver medical countermeasures within 48 hours of a federal decision to deploy assets. Evaluates the current program to identify areas of deficiency and develop a plan of action to assure the State is in compliance with Federal requirements.

Manages MCM program-associated contracts, including medication suppliers, storage locations, and distributors. The position will oversee the development and maintenance of plans and protocols for the timely distribution of medications/vaccines to large numbers of Iowans. The position will collaborate with local public health departments, primary care clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and other health care providers in communities throughout the state.

Ensures data for Preparedness activities are captured in the SNS MCM ORR, action plans, program progress reports, and annual work plans. Assists in the development of cooperative agreement applications and progress reports. Works with the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to assure coordination of state, regional, and local planning activities, protocols, and policies.

For complete job description and application, click here.

Serves as a liaison between the Division of Public Health and local public health for communicable diseases, including HIV, STIs, viral hepatitis, TB, and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Delivers STI and HIV partner services, including counseling, interviewing, and educating persons infected with communicable diseases.

Solicits partner and contact information, provides referrals for support services, and acts as an advocate by ensuring linkage to case management, medical, and other support services. Performs partner/contact investigations, including location of partners, risk reduction counseling, HIV testing, and linkage to other follow-up testing and treatment. Conducts re-interviews for persons living with HIV identified as out of care or never in care and works to connect them with appropriate medical services.

Performs phlebotomy, as needed, for testing. Collects and reports timely partner services and Ryan White Part B Program service information through client-level data systems. Conducts quality assurance of data, and participates in quality improvement projects for the delivery of partner services and the collection and management of data. Provides information, education, consultation, and problem-identification services to community-based organizations, community task forces, local public health, private medical providers, hospital infectious disease practitioners, blood banks, plasma centers, and public and private laboratories.

Participates in the development and distribution of bureau resources for health care providers and local public health. Trains local public health disease intervention staff on use of client-level data systems for disease reporting and case investigation. Develops and provides informational and educational programs, trainings, and conferences for and with public health partners both within a region and statewide. Monitors and evaluates regional disease prevention activities.

Participates in local planning processes to develop educational initiatives for communicable diseases and outbreaks. Works jointly with local and state experts to develop processes that successfully manage disease transmission, public health emergencies, and outbreaks. Works with state officials in developing and improving current reportable disease and outbreak systems. Participates in assessments of ongoing infectious disease monitoring systems. In conjunction with the Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology and other Division of Public Health staff, performs epidemiological investigations. As needed, performs an integral role in the Department’s Disaster Preparedness plan by being on call 24 hours per day seven days a week, possessing expertise in disaster response, and coordinating responsibilities with other Departmental staff. Participates in field exercises for emergency preparedness planning and contributes to plan improvements. Other duties as assigned, including in an emergency or disaster.

Preference given to candidates who live in or would relocate to Woodbury County or a contiguous county in Iowa, Nebraska, or South Dakota.

For complete job description and application, click here.

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Program within the Bureau of Performance at the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is seeking an intern to assist with compiling and interpreting Iowa’s adult-reported Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) surveillance findings. The intern will assist on a specific project to prepare data and visualizations that communicate findings related to risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and mental health. The BRFSS Program Intern may also be involved in assisting the BRFSS Epidemiologist with ACEs-related data requests and dashboards during the internship period.

Tasks and activities involved in this project:

1. Explore adult-reported ACEs findings by reviewing surveillance data and academic literature.
2. Use Excel, Canva, or other visualization software to create ACEs-related data visualizations.
3. Determine type and content of communication materials based on the review of findings.
4. Design data visualizations and write content of communication materials.
5. Assist BRFSS Epidemiologist in additional ACEs-related data requests or dashboards.

A successful applicant will have a willingness and aptitude to learn new applications, specifically Canva, and competency in data interpretation and visualization. Applicants must also have basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel and should have experience in creating data visualizations. Applicants who have taken at least one course in epidemiology, data science, public health, human development and family studies or related field that includes communicating data findings are preferred.

The length and schedule of the internship are negotiable, but can be between 15 and 40 hours for 6-12 weeks (up to 200 hours) between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2024. The start date is negotiable.

Hybrid and remote options are available. The internship will be paid ($22.10/hour); stipend is dependent on amount of time worked.

For complete job description and application, click here.