<p>Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements will be placed on the eligible list. </p> <p>Accreditation Specialist - Division of Behavioral Health, Iowa HHS</p> <p>Our Mission</p> <p>We work to strengthen behavioral health services across Iowa so individuals, families, and communities can thrive. We partner with providers to improve quality, support best practices, and ensure services meet the needs of Iowans.</p> <p>Our Vision</p> <p>A statewide behavioral health system that is accessible, person-centered, and committed to excellence-and where every provider has the support and guidance they need to deliver outstanding care.</p> <p>About the Role</p> <p>We're looking for someone who's curious, collaborative, and passionate about improving behavioral health services. As one of two Accreditation Specialists on our team, you'll play a key role in reviewing, supporting, and strengthening providers across the state. Your work helps ensure people receive safe, high-quality, and effective care.</p> <p>In this role, you will:</p> <ul> <li>Lead accreditation reviews for providers such as community mental health centers, case management programs, crisis services, and more under Iowa Administrative Code 441-Chapter 24. </li><li>Complete full on-site reviews or reviews for providers with national accreditations (like Joint Commission or CARF). </li><li>Build relationships with providers by scheduling reviews, preparing desk reviews, conducting on-site visits, and interviewing staff and clients. </li><li>Evaluate documentation, service standards, policies, and clinical records to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines. </li><li>Share findings, guide providers through corrective actions when needed, and support them in meeting accreditation standards. </li><li>Prepare formal survey reports and recommendations that help shape agency decisions. </li><li>Provide technical assistance on standards, policy interpretation, best practices, and emerging trends. </li><li>Work with other Iowa HHS divisions and partners (such as Iowa Medicaid) to answer questions, share information, and collaborate on system improvements. </li><li>Conduct specialized reviews when concerns or requests arise, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement across the system. </li></ul> <p>Who Thrives Here</p> <p>Ideal candidates often share these qualities:</p> <ul> <li>You enjoy digging into details and understanding how things work. </li><li>You're comfortable talking with everyone from front-line staff to leadership. </li><li>You value fairness, consistency, and clear communication. </li><li>You like helping others succeed and see accreditation as a partnership, not a gotcha. </li><li>You're organized, steady under pressure, and great at follow-through. </li><li>You care about strengthening behavioral health services for the people of Iowa. </li></ul> <p>Why This Work Matters</p> <p>Every review, conversation, and recommendation you make has a direct impact on the quality of behavioral health services across the state. You'll be part of a team that values learning, collaboration, and doing meaningful work that improves lives.</p> <p>Benefits</p> <p>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:</p> <ul> <li>Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage! </li><li>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). </li><li>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). </li><li>Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses. </li><li>Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind. </li><li>Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges. </li><li>Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.  </li></ul> <p>For additional information on benefits click here.</p> <p>Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.</p> <p>Background Checks</p> <p>Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position. </p> <p>The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer</p> <p>HHS values those with "lived experience" and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired - Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).</p> <p>E-Verify and Right to Work</p> <p>The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visitwww.e-verify.gov.</p> <p>397 Mental Health Experience or education related to providing service, treatment or assessment to those affected by mental health challenges, either in a private setting, group homes, local assistance agencies, or state or privately-run treatment.  Application must demonstrate that applicant has received a general orientation to the symptoms and treatment protocols for mental illness or public policies, procedures, or applicable laws related to the topic, or assistance programs for those affected by mental illness. Experience may come from public, private or non-profit organizations.</p> <p>OR</p> <p>146 Disabilities </p> <p>6 months' experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in one or in a combination of the following: • Deaf education • Deaf counseling • Special education • Intellectual disability • Disability counseling • Any experience dealing with the housing, transportation, accessibility, education, employment or advocacy for mentally or physically handicapped individuals.Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:</p> <p>1) Seven years of full-time work experience in the administration or operation/execution (i.e., providing consultation and/or technical assistance to stakeholders, research and analysis, or enforcement of program guidelines/policies/procedures) of a program (i.e., the provision of a service or an administrative oversight/enforcement responsibility).</p> <p>2) All of the following (a, b, and c):</p> <p>a. One year of full-time work experience in the administration or operation/execution (i.e., providing consultation and/or technical assistance to stakeholders, research and analysis, or enforcement of program guidelines/policies/procedures) of a program (i.e., the provision of a service or an administrative oversight/enforcement responsibility); and</p> <p>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</p> <p>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 any field equals one year of full-time experience.</p> <p>3) Graduation from an accredited school of law.</p> <p>4) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes nine months of full-time work as a Program Planner 2 or twenty-seven months of full-time work as a Program Planner 1.</p> <p>For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.</p>