Career Planner

Career Planner

Salary

$50,398.40 - $74,068.80 Annually

Location

Iowa City - 52240 - Johnson County, IA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

27-00277

Agency

309 Iowa Workforce Development

Opening Date

07/28/2026

Closing Date

8/17/2026 11:59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag

#LI-POST

Point of Contact

Kevin Swartzendruber (kevin.swartzendruber@iwd.iowa.gov)

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is seeking applicants for the position of Career Planner at our Iowa City, IA IowaWORKS office.

Description of work and responsibilities:

As a Career Planner you will greet customers and direct to appropriate event or appointment. Assist, gather, and enter customer information into case management system and conduct initial service triage to determine entry services and recommend to appropriate team. You will prepare and hand out service packets for members and provide first day service to Veterans.

In this role you will perform essential unemployment insurance (UI) activities and services to clients for all IWD programs and services as well partner programs and services. Data enter UI claim information as needed, providing Benefit Rights Information (BRI) and adjudicating issues as they arise. Work with clients to solve problems with UI claims issues. Answer incoming phone line for claims issues and problems, resolving the problems, and providing customer service to clients on the phone. Provide forms for appeals and other partner agencies, directing customers to the appropriate location and providing staffing for wage verification when necessary.

Career Planner's educate and assist customers with services available at the IowaWORKS location and answer questions about employment opportunities. Send/receive work related faxes for customers. Assist customers in using computers, i.e., searching internet and print resources, troubleshoot computer/internet usage, tutorials, labor market information, educational options, career explorations, the writing of resumes, and educate customers in the use of self-help services and assisted services available at the Workforce Center. Coach job seekers on all aspects of the job search and assist customers to build their personal and job skills for the primary goal of successful employment.

Facilitate customer usage on the Center PCs for career and skill assessments and assist with developing customer resumes and cover letters. Process paperwork for partner and team programs and services and direct customers to appropriate workshops as well as facilitate workshops.

Career Planner's provide proficiency tests and skill assessments as requested and forward scores to employers, as needed. Assist community organizations, businesses, and other agencies by providing labor market information, child labor forms, USERRA and 9 in 1 poster, verification of work registration and wage verification, wage claim forms. Assist new businesses with job fairs/hiring events. Promote

employment events hosted at IWD.

Assist job-ready "job seekers" obtain employment and relay current labor market information to job candidates and businesses. Provide direct services to business for recruitment of employees and provide information and guidance to employers on how to use the labor exchange system at the One Stop. Identify sources for potential new employer customers for the Center and ensure veterans preference standards are met regarding job vacancy processing. Participate in development and implementation of customized recruitment strategies and provide follow-up contact and services to job seekers and business. Utilize case management system for tracking and maintaining employer information. Critique and enter job postings into the Labor Exchange system. Enter referrals into the labor exchange system. Networking with businesses to determine hiring practices and employer needs.

Agency Overview

Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is a state agency committed to providing employment services for individual job seekers and to connecting employers to available workers through our IowaWORKS partnership.

IWD continually strives to improve processes and align the organization to provide effective, demand-driven products and services. IWD staff in Des Moines consists of administrative services, disability determination services, information technology, labor market information, unemployment insurance services, vocational rehabilitation services, and workforce services. The agency also maintains a statewide delivery system of IowaWORKS Centers and satellite and expansion offices where both employers and job seeking Iowans can receive workforce assistance.

Benefits

Joining the IWD team and becoming a State of Iowa employee comes with a range of valuable benefits, including:

• Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including nine paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with no cap on the sick leave accrual.
• Prepare for the future with the IPERS retirement package, as well as an additional optional deferred compensation retirement plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Free Life and Long-term Disability Insurance with the option to purchase additional coverage.
• Employee Assistance Programs and Discount Programs for support.

Click here to learn more about all of the amazing benefits the State of Iowa offers.

Hours of Work: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.

If you're looking for a career with a well-respected organization that values its employees and customers, you've come to the right place!

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.

No applicant for employment with the Iowa Department of Workforce Development can have a current, ongoing overpayment balance with Iowa Workforce Development without a payment plan in place. Selected positions will be subject to a criminal background check.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field.

2) Four years of full-time work experience in career services, teaching or training to improve skills, job coaching, providing human services to individuals in need, sales, customer service, call center operations, or human-resources-related services involving interviewing, reviewing job applications, conducting employment-related assessments, or job placement.

3) A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number two), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.

4) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twelve months of full-time work as a Workforce Associate.

Why Choose the State of Iowa?

At the heart of our commitment to excellence is a dedication to our most valuable asset - our employees. Discover the outstanding benefits that set us apart as an employer of choice.

Our Robust Benefits Package Includes:

Competitive Compensation:

Enjoy a competitive salary that reflects directly on your skills and expertise.

Keep in mind, your wage is just one part of your total compensation. Unlock the complete value of your employment with the State of Iowa by using our user-friendly Total Compensation Calculator. Gain insights into your comprehensive annual compensation, including salary and State-provided benefits.

Health and Wellness:

Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the State of Iowa covers 90% of the premiums, providing you and your loved ones with excellent coverage at a remarkably low cost.

Retirement Planning:

We are proud to offer the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). A defined benefit plan, IPERS benefits are guaranteed for life, meaning once you retire, you will receive the same monthly benefit for the remainder of your life (once vested). We invest in your long-term financial well-being, so you can retire with peace of mind. Click here to learn more about IPERS.

Paid Time Off:

Life is unpredictable, and at the State of Iowa, we understand the importance of work-life balance. Our leave policies, including paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with unlimited accrual, ensure you have the flexibility you need for personal and family matters.

Professional Development:

Elevate your career with continuous learning opportunities. We support your growth through training programs, workshops, and tuition reimbursement.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

We care about your well-being beyond the workplace. Access confidential counseling, resources, and support through our Employee Assistance Program.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces all backgrounds and perspectives. We believe diversity is a strength that drives innovation.

Join Us - Elevate Your Career:

Ready to elevate your career with the State of Iowa? Click here to explore more about our unparalleled benefits and discover what makes us unique. Your success is our priority!

01

Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

• Yes - I understand and agree.
• No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?

• No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
• Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

03

Have you graduated from an accredited four-year college or university?

• Yes
• No

04

How many years of full-time work experience do you have in the following: Career services, teaching or training to improve skills, job coaching, providing human services to individuals in need, sales, customer service, call center operations, or human-resources-related services involving interviewing, reviewing job applications, conducting employment-related assessments, or job placement.?

• Four or more years of the required experience
• Three to less than four years of the required experience
• Two to less than three years of the required experience
• One to less than two years of the required experience
• Less than one year of the required experience
• No experience in the required areas

05

Do you have a total of four years of post-high school education in any field and/or full-time work experience in career services, teaching or training to improve skills, job coaching, providing human services to individuals in need, sales, customer service, call center operations, or human-resources-related services involving interviewing, reviewing job applications, conducting employment-related assessments, or job placement? 30 semester hours of post high school education in any field equals one year of full-time experience.

• Yes
• No

06

If you are a CURRENT employee for the State of Iowa (executive branch) how many months of full-time experience as a Workforce Associate do you have?

• Not applicable
• Six months or less
• Six months to less than 12 months
• 12 months or more

Required Question

Employer State of Iowa

Agency 309 Iowa Workforce Development Address 1000 E Grand Ave

Des Moines, Iowa, 50319

Website https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/