Psychiatric Security Specialist Part-time
State of Iowa
Posted: January 7, 2026 (8 days ago)
This job has been posted for 1-2 weeks. Still a good time to apply.
State of Iowa
400 Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care
This job involves providing hands-on care and security for individuals with mental health issues who have been convicted of sex offenses, helping to create a safe and supportive environment for their treatment after prison.
Workers supervise daily activities, lead group sessions, document behaviors, and manage security tasks like controlling access and accompanying patients on outings.
It's a good fit for compassionate people who are patient, observant, and comfortable in high-security settings with opportunities for growth and shift bonuses.
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.
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.
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.govGraduation from high school, GED, or equivalency.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
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