Psychiatric Security Specialist CCUSO

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of Civil Commitment Unit for Sex Offenders (CCUSO) is seeking a Psychiatric Security Specialist to join our team! This is a full-time opportunity with an available shift differential of $0.90 per hour for second shift and $1.00 per hour for third shift and a strong opportunity for advancement, growth, and development. Affordable on-campus housing is available for employees.

The Psychiatric Security Specialist provides direct-care services of both a security and treatment nature at CCUSO. This position assists mental health staff and performs a wide range of security functions in creating a maximally therapeutic environment for the care and treatment of individuals with mental abnormalities and/or personality disorders who were convicted of a sex offense. Routine duties of the Psychiatric Security Specialist include but are not limited to supervision of various patient activities at the CCUSO facility, facilitation of psycho-educational group activities, documentation of patient behaviors, operation of the master control center, and supervision of patients on medical trips outside of the facility.

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

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. CCUSO has a 5-phase treatment program that includes group and individual therapy, psycho-educational programming, physiological assessments, and transitional release. Patients may also be court ordered into the community through supervised release.

Benefits of Joining CCUSO

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 click here.

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Cherokee Highlights

CCUSO is 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 that 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 1 hour from Sioux City, 2 hours from Omaha. Check out these 10 Reasons to Move to Iowa.

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the HHS 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).

Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. (Download PDF reader)

Positions in this class may require an applicant to have the ability to pass a background investigation.