The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of State Training School (STS) is seeking a Special Education Instructor to join our team! This is a full-time position with opportunity for growth and development.
STS is a close-knit environment with a strong professional learning community structure. There are no extra duties beyond the Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. schedule and you can request to use your vacation time as soon as it accrues. We offer several days throughout the year to work on curriculum development and courses for re-licensure are provided as part of the workday. There is approximately 1 month of orientation to become familiar with the school and facility.
Our special education instructors work individually and in small groups to provide students specially designed instruction. The instructors will work with the general education instructors and other campus staff to meet the challenging needs of our students. We have a strong support system from the Central Rivers Area Education Agency. This is in addition to a team of special education instructors that work to provide for the students at STS.
Special Education Instructors at STS are an irreplaceable piece in the successful development of young men within the facility. STS provides an environment rich in educational challenges that will allow you to practice your craft in a meaningful manner. You will have an opportunity to fine tune your skills by addressing the educational challenges that come from working with a diverse group of young men.
The programs available for residents include:
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General education studies
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Special education programs
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Title I
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High School Equivalency Diploma (formerly GED)
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Competency-based Special Education programs
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Mental Health Counseling and Substance Abuse Counseling
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Group Therapy and Family Therapy
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Rehabilitation/Skills Groups
If you are proficient in:
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Handling a diverse caseload of emotionally disordered students with mild to moderate needs
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Teaching in an individualized manner in an effort to reach the students
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Providing both individual and classroom instruction
– consider a career at STS!
The successful candidate must possess an Initial, Standard, Master Educator, or Exchange License, or be eligible and able to obtain a Class B License through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, and hold at least one of the following endorsements:
5-12 Instructional Strategist I Mild & Moderate
K-12 Instructional Strategist II: BD/LD
5-12 Multicategorical Special Class with Integration
5-12 Multicategorical Resource (option 1)
5-12 Mildly Disabled
5-12 Behavior Disorders
5-12 Learning Disabilities
Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.
STS offers a holistic social, behavioral, psychiatric, academic, and vocational program that utilizes evidence-based practices to provide a secure setting, rooted in treatment, for males ages 12 to 18 years old who have been adjudicated delinquent. STS provides individualized treatment plans and offers comprehensive education with the goal of successfully transitioning young men back into the community. If you enjoy rewarding yet challenging work and helping young men find stability in their lives and security in their future, this is this the right job for you. Your work at STS has the potential to help pull these young men together and change their futures. For more STS info: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-care-facilities/state-training-school
Benefits of Joining STS
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.
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Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
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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).
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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).
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Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
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Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
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Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
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Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.
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Free On-Campus Workout Facilities
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.
Working at STS comes with a special perk! This location offers access for staff to the impressive on-campus gym during off student hours. This includes 3 full size basketball courts, two fully stocked weight rooms with machine and free weights, showers, and lockers. We also provide a cardio room for staff only featuring exercise mats and advanced treadmills and stationary bikes. Usage of these resources is completely free for all STS staff.
Eldora Highlights
STS is located in Eldora, a quaint community with a population of approximately 2,800 residents, located in north central Iowa. Eldora is an Iowa River Greenbelt Community and the Iowa River Greenbelt Scenic Drive winds through a picturesque landscape of valleys, woods, and streams. With easy access to the Iowa River and Pine Lake, outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking, kayaking, canoeing, hunting, and fishing, as well as the many educational opportunities, cultural activities, and entertainment events nearby, including a picturesque 9-hole golf course surrounded by Pine Lake State Park.
Eldora is 45 minutes away from Ames and Cedar Falls, 30 minutes from Marshalltown, and only 20 minutes from Iowa Falls. Des Moines, Iowa’s capital, is just 1 hour and 15 minutes away.
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Ames, Iowa is the home of Iowa State University, featuring one of the nation’s premier Engineering schools and leading Veterinary and Agricultural programs. https://www.iastate.edu/
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Cedar Falls is the home of the University of Northern Iowa, https://uni.edu/
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Iowa Falls is the home of Ellsworth Community College. https://ecc.iavalley.edu
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Des Moines has one of the nation’s finest State Fairs and is home to the Iowa Cubs, Casey’s Center (host site of NCAA Basketball, premier concerts), and Lauridsen Skatepark, the nation’s largest skatepark.
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.
