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Posted: February 16, 2026 (2 days ago)

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Psychiatric Security Specialist

State of Iowa

400 Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care

Fresh

Location

Salary

$22.49 - $33.33

per hour

Closes

March 9, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as direct care staff in a secure facility for individuals committed after serving prison time for sex offenses, focusing on providing a safe, structured environment while monitoring behaviors and ensuring security.

Duties include escorting patients, documenting their actions for treatment purposes, and handling varying shifts with overtime as needed.

It's a good fit for compassionate individuals with strong observation skills and a commitment to rehabilitation, who can handle high-stress situations in a therapeutic setting.

Key Requirements

  • Ability to pass a comprehensive background check
  • Willingness to work varying shifts including days, evenings, and overnights
  • Availability for overtime to meet minimum staffing levels
  • Strong skills in monitoring and documenting patient behaviors
  • Commitment to providing safety and security in a therapeutic environment
  • Experience or interest in working with individuals in civil commitment for sex offenses

Full Job Description

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 position with varying shift possibilities including day, evening, and overnight with overtime requirements as needed to maintain minimum staffing.

In addition to the base pay rate, there is an available shift differential of $0.90 per hour for second shift and $1.00 per hour for third shift.

We also offer a strong opportunity for advancement, growth, and development.

Psychiatric Security Specialists (PSS) are the direct care staff at CCUSO. PSS staff provide a structured yet therapeutic environment for the patients committed to the CCUSO facility.

Job duties include providing for the safety and security of patient living units, daily operations such as escorting and monitoring patient behaviors, and documenting these behaviors for clinical purposes.

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.

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: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-care-facilities/civil-commitment-unit-sexual-offenders

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.

Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

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 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 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).

E-Verify and Right to Work

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 visit www.e-verify.gov.

Qualifications

Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 2/16/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/17/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-iowa-5238601