We deliver the services that provide for the safety and well-being of all Idahoans as effectively and efficiently as possible. We think differently and flex our imaginations to innovate our processes and technologies. We embrace new ways of working that help us achieve our goals. Together, we help the people of Idaho live their best
We demonstrate passion for our work and compassion for the people we serve. Every day, we are engaged in the implementation of strategy, and we hold ourselves accountable to our goals. Together, we are focused on continuing what works and addressing what does not work for Idahoans. We strive to achieve our full potential, while we help Idahoans achieve theirs.
We are nearly 2,900 individuals working statewide to provide Idahoans with health and human services, access to health insurance programs, support to families and children, and hospitalization services for people with mental illness or intellectual disabilities. The department operates in 52 locations, of which 19 are publicly accessible throughout the state. In addition to field and administrative offices, the department also operates five visitation and counseling offices, four state institutions, the state lab, and the emergency communications center.
Our organization deals with complex social, economic, and health issues. To do that effectively, DHW is organized into eleven divisions: Behavorial Health, Community Partnerships, Early Learning & Development, Financial Services, Information and Technology Services, Licensing & Certification, Management Services, Medicaid, Public Health, Self-Reliance and Youth Safety and Permanency. Each division provides services or partners with other agencies and groups to help people in our communities. DHW is a diverse organization whose workers are dedicated to protecting the health and safety of Idaho citizens.
Below is a brief overview of each division and our four institutions and a listing of possible career opportunities.
The Division of Behavioral Health helps children, adults, and families address and manage personal challenges that result from mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders. The division recognizes that many people suffer from both a mental illness and substance use disorder, and is engaged in a process to integrate services for co-occurring disorders to improve outcomes. Services accessed through the division are consumer-driven and prevention-oriented.
The division is comprised of Children's Mental Health Services, Youth Empowerment Services, Adult Mental Health Services, the Substance Use Disorders Program, and the Idaho Tobacco Project. The division also administers the state's two psychiatric hospitals, State Hospital North and State Hospital South, for people who have been court-ordered into the state's custody, as well as State Hospital West in Nampa for adolescents.
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
Clinical Specialist
Clinical Supervisor
Clinician
Licensed Practical Nurse
Registered Nurse, Senior
Human Services Program Specialist
Peer Specialist
Program Manager
Program Specialist DHW
Program Supervisor
Program System Specialist – Automated
Project Coordinator
Project Manager 1 & 2
Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist
Social Worker
Training Specialist
SUPPORT POSITIONS
Administrative Assistant 1 & 2
Management Assistant
Technical Records Specialist 1 & 2
EXAMPLES OF EDUCATION/LICENSING THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED
Education:
Bachelor’s/Master’s in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, Behavioral/Social Science, Applied Behavioral Analysis or closely related field.
Licensing/Certification & Registration:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Licensed Master Social Worker
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Registered Nurse
- Practical Nurse
- Eligibility for registration as a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner with the State Board of Nursing
- Certified Peer Recovery Coach
- Certified Peer Support Specialist
Family and Community Services (FACS) provides a collaborative leadership directing many of the department's social service programs that focus on the entire family, building on family strengths while supporting and empowering them. Those programs include child protection, adoption, foster care, service integration, 211, developmental disabilities, and early intervention screening for infants and toddlers.
FACS is involved in recruiting and training new child welfare social workers through its Scholars and Academy Programs.
FACS also administers the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center in Nampa. This facility provides residential care for people with developmental disabilities who experience severe behavioral or significant medical complications.
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
Child Welfare Social Worker 1, 2 & 3
Client Services Technician
Child Welfare Supervisor
Child Welfare Regional Program Specialist
Clinician
Clinical Supervisor
Community Resource Development Specialist
Developmental Disabilities Program Manager
Developmental Disabilities Supervisor
Developmental Specialist (& Senior)
Developmental Specialist, Children’s Programs
Human Services Field Program Manager
Human Services Program Specialist
Human Services Regional Program Specialist
Human Services Project Manager
Human Services Supervisor
Program Manager
Program Specialist DHW
Program Supervisor
Program System Specialist – Automated
Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist
Resources and Services Navigator
Social Worker
Therapist, Early Intervention
Training & Development Manager
Training Specialist
SUPPORT POSITIONS
Administrative Assistant 1 & 2
Customer Service Representative 1 & 2
Management Assistant
Business Analyst
Business Operations Specialist
Management Analyst Senior
Research Analyst Supervisor
Research Analyst Principal
Office Services Supervisor 1
Office Specialist 2
Technical Records Specialist 1 & 2
EXAMPLES OF EDUCATION/LICENSING THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED
Education:
Bachelor’s/Master’s in Social Work, Human Services, Social Services, Special Education, Speech/Language Pathology, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Communication Disorders, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Counseling or Applied Behavioral Analysis
Licensing/Certification & Registration:
- Licensed Social Worker
- Licensed Master Social Worker
- Exceptional Child Certificate with Special Education Endorsement
Southwest Idaho Treatment Center (SWITC) in Nampa is administered by the Division of Family and Community Services. This facility provides residential care for people with developmental disabilities who experience severe behavioral or significant medical complications.
State Hospital South (SHS) in Blackfoot is a psychiatric facility in southeast Idaho that provides mental health services for all seven regions in Idaho. The hospital operates under the Department of Health and Welfare and is administered by the Division of Behavioral Health. State Hospital South is dedicated to the effective treatment and recovery of Idaho's most severe mentally ill residents to enable their return to community living.
State Hospital North (SHN) in Orofino strives to be at the forefront of mental health in innovations, providing sustainable, cost-effective, evidence-based, recovery-oriented, and co-occurring capable mental health services in partnership with other statewide mental health services, for those Idahoans who temporarily need this most restrictive environment. The hospital operates under the Department of Health and Welfare and is administered by the Division of Behavioral Health.
State Hospital West (SHW) in Nampa provides treatment to 16 adolescents between 11 and 18 years old in a secure setting in which youth receive more intensive comprehensive behavioral health services than they can receive in a community hospital environment. Youth are referred to SHW through community hospitals when a need for more intensive care becomes apparent. The hospital operates under the Department of Health and Welfare and is administered by the Division of Behavioral Health.
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
Building Facility Maintenance Foreman
Client Services Manager
Clinician
Clinical Dietitian
Clinical Specialist
Cook & Cook Senior
Custodian
Developmental Disabilities Program Manager
Developmental Specialist Senior
Dietary Aide Senior
Dietary Services Manager
Food Services Supervisor
Investigator
Health Information Specialist (& Manager)
HVAC Specialist
Landscape Technician Senior & Foreman
Maintenance Craftsman Senior
Medical Doctor
Medical Assistant, Registered
Licensed Practical Nurse
Registered Nurse (Senior & Manager)
Clinical Pharmacist
Patient Account Specialist
Pharmacy Assistant Senior
Program Specialist
Psychiatric Technician (Trainee & Senior)
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Recreation Specialist, Therapeutic
Therapist (& Therapist Technician)
SUPPORT POSITIONS
Administrative Assistant 1 & 2
Technical Records Specialist 1 & 2
Office Services Supervisor 1
Office Specialist 2
Financial Technician
Security Officer Senior
Storekeeper
Training Specialist
EXAMPLES OF EDUCATION/LICENSING THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED
Education:
Bachelor’s/Master’s in Human Services Field, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Recreation Therapy, Special Education, Adaptive Physical Education, Communication Disorders, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Medicine
Licensing/Certification & Registration:
- RN, LPN
- Therapeutic Recreational Therapist
- HVAC
- Medical Doctor
- Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner
- Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist
- Pharmacy Technician
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
Management Services provides the vision, management, and technical support for carrying out the department’s mission. Indirect Support includes Financial Services, Operational Services, and Audits and Investigations.
Financial Services provides administrative and financial support for the department.
The Bureau of Compliance conducts internal audits and external fraud investigations for department benefit programs.
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
Administrative Services Manager
Buildings Operations Manager
Business Operations Specialist
Buyer (Senior)
Deputy Director
EBT Operations Supervisor
EBT Specialist
Financial Executive Officer
Financial Manager
Financial Specialist (Principal & Senior)
Financial Technician
Financial Unit Supervisor
Fraud Investigator
Grants/Contracts Management Supervisor
Grants/Contracts Officer
Grants/Contracts Operations Analyst
Human Resource Specialist (Senior)
Human Resource Manager
Human Resources Unit Supervisor
Investigations Supervisor
Medicaid Utilization Review Analyst
Program Manager
Program Specialist (DHW)
Program Supervisor
Project Manager 2 & 3
Public Information Manager
Public Information Specialist
Research Analyst (& Principal)
Technical Writer
Training Specialist
SUPPORT POSITIONS
Administrative Assistant 1 & 2
Management Assistant
Technical Records Specialist 1, 2 & 3
EXAMPLES OF EDUCATION/LICENSING THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED
Education:
Bachelor’s/Master’s Business, Accounting, Communications, Marketing, Art/Design, Technical Writing, Journalism, Instructional Technology, Adult Education, Educational Technology, Public Health Administration, Public Policy, Human Resources, and Statistics
Licensing/Certification & Registration:
- CPA
- CGMF
- CPM
- CPPO
- CPPB
- APP
The Division of Information Technology provides office automation, information processing, and local, wide area, unified communications and internet connectivity for the department statewide. The division provides leadership and direction in the use of information technology to support our mission to promote the social, economic, mental, and physical health of Idahoans.
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
IT Database Admin Analyst
IT Information Security Engineer
IT Information Systems and Infrastructure Engineer
IT Manager
IT Operations & Support Analyst
IT Operations & Support Technician Senior
IT Software Engineer
SUPPORT POSITIONS
Management Analyst Senior
Administrative Assistant 1
Management Assistant
Technical Records Specialist 2
EXAMPLES OF EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED
Education:
Associate/Bachelor’s/Master’s in applicable degree or advanced IT certifications.
The Division of Licensing and Certification licenses and inspects 18 distinct healthcare facility and agency types in Idaho including hospitals, nursing homes, rural health clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, dialysis centers, residential care/assisted living facilities, developmental disabilities agencies, and residential habilitation agencies. The division also manages the certification program for certified family homes as well as Idaho's certified nurse aide registry. This process includes healthcare, management, building construction, and life safety oversight. Inspections help to ensure Idaho residents receive safe and high-quality care.
Division survey teams are responsible for more than 3,000 health care and/or residential facilities and more than 22,000 treatment beds across the state. Each team also performs investigations of allegations of non-compliance with regulatory requirements, also known as complaint investigations. The teams work closely with partners in the respective industries, with advocates, with other government agencies, and with stakeholders to ensure safe and effective care in a variety of settings. The division is also involved in the promulgation of rules for the licensed and certified entities. It also provides both formal and informal educational opportunities relating to regulatory requirements and industry best-practices for the providers and the public.
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
Health Facility Surveyor
Human Services Program Specialist
Licensing & Certification Program Supervisor
Medical Program Specialist
Program Manager
SUPPORT POSITIONS
Administrative Assistant 1
Management Assistant
Technical Records Specialist 1 & 2
EXAMPLES OF EDUCATION/LICENSING THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED
Education:
Bachelor’s/Master’s in Social Work, Dietetics/Nutrition, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiology, Diet Therapy, Pathology, Health Assessment Disease Conditions, or Residential Care Administration
Licensing/Certification & Registration:
- Registered Nurse
- Registered Dietitian
- Licensed Social Worker
- Residential Care Administrator
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
The Division of Medicaid provides comprehensive medical coverage for eligible Idahoans. The division does not provide direct medical services, but it contracts and pays for services through providers similar to health insurance companies. Medicaid also licenses and inspects health facilities, including nursing homes, hospitals, and residential and assisted living facilities. Medicaid has different programs available that provide health coverage for:
- Children under age 19
- Parents or other related adults with children under age 19
- Pregnant women
- Women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer or pre-cancer
- People aged 65 or older
- People who are blind or disabled (using Social Security criteria)
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
Business Analyst
Clinical Supervisor
Financial Specialist Principal
Financial Specialist Senior
Health Connections Representative
Medicaid Program Policy Analyst
Medicaid Recovery Officer
Medical Program Specialist
Registered Nurse Manager
Registered Nurse Senior
Pharmacy Services Specialist
Pharmacy Services Supervisor
Pharmacy Data Inventory Specialist
Policy Analyst
Program/Research Development Analyst
Program Manager
Program Specialist DHW
Program Specialist
Program Supervisor
Program System Specialist – Automated
Project Coordinator
Project Manager 1, 2 & 3
Research Analyst Principal
Research Analyst Supervisor
Technical Writer
SUPPORT POSITIONS
Administrative Assistant 1 & 2
Management Assistant
Technical Records Specialist 1 & 2
EXAMPLES OF EDUCATION/LICENSING THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED
Education:
Bachelor’s/Master’s in Nursing, Business, Accounting, Public Health Administration, Public Policy, Health Education, Developmental Disabilities, Psychology, Special Education, Social Work, Counseling, college courses covering health care delivery systems, college courses covering statistics in modeling-trend analysis and simulation techniques.
Licensing/Certification & Registration:
- Registered Nurse
- CPA
- Pharmacy Technician
- Pharmacist
The Division of Public Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, protects the health and safety of Idahoans through a range of services, including immunizations, nutrition services, chronic and communicable diseases surveillance and intervention, food safety regulation, emergency medical personnel licensing, vital records administration, health statistics compilation, rural healthcare provider recruitment, laboratory services, and bioterrorism preparedness. The division’s programs and services promote healthy lifestyles and prevention activities while monitoring and intervening in disease transmission and health risks as a safeguard for Idahoans. The division contracts and coordinates with local public health districts and other local providers to deliver many of these services throughout the state.
The division includes the bureaus of Clinical and Preventive Services, Community and Environmental Health, Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness, Vital Records and Health Statistics, Laboratories, Rural Health and Primary Care, Communicable Disease Prevention, Public Health Business Operations, and the Center for Drug Overdose and Suicide Prevention.
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
Analyst 3
Automated System Manger
Chemist Principal & Senior
Clinical Lab Inspector
Chemistry Laboratory Manager
Communications Supervisor
Data Coordinator
Data Scientist
Emergency Communications Officer
State Epidemiologist
Health Education Specialist Senior
Health Operations Field Coordinator
Health Program Manager
Health Program Specialist
Laboratory Improvement Manager
Laboratory Technician
Microbiologist Principal (& Senior)
Microbiology Serology Laboratory Manager
Register Nurse Senior
Nutrition Specialist, WIC
Planner & Planner Senior
Program Manager
Program Specialist DHW
Program Specialist
Radiation Physicist & Radiation Physicist Senior
Research Analyst Principal (& Senior)
Scientist 2 & 3
Toxicologist/Assessor
SUPPORT POSITIONS
Administrative Assistant 1 & 2
Customer Service Representative 1 & 2
Management Assistant
Office Services Supervisor 2
Office Specialist 2
Technical Records Specialist 1 & 2
Building Facility Foreman
HVAC Specialist
Business Analyst
Business Operations Specialist
Financial Specialist
Storekeeper
EXAMPLES OF EDUCATION/LICENSING THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED
Education:
Bachelor’s/Master’s in Public Health, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology, Medical Technology, Data Analytics, Statistics, Math, Computer Science, Life Science, Business, Accounting, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Environmental Health, Toxicology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Environmental Epidemiology, Nutrition (RD)
Licensing/Certification & Registration:
- Emergency Medical Services
- RN
- Registered Dietitian
- Emergency Communications Officer
- CPA
The Division of Welfare promotes stable, healthy families through program access and support services. The division manages state and federal programs including Child Support, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP, also called Food Stamps), Child Care Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho (TAFI), Aid to the Aged, Blind, & Disabled (AABD), Employment and Training Program, health coverage assistance programs, and community action programs. The programs, also called Self-Reliance programs, provide food, cash, and other assistance programs for low-income families and individuals, while encouraging participants to become more self-reliant.
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
Business Analyst
Customer Service Representative 2-Self-Reliance
Grants/Contracts Officer
Management Analyst Senior
Program Manager
Program Specialist DHW
Program System Specialist – Automated
Research Analyst Supervisor
Self Reliance Program Evaluation Manager
Self Reliance Specialist (& Principal)
Self Reliance Supervisor
Training & Development Manager
Welfare Training Specialist
SUPPORT POSITIONS
Administrative Assistant 2
Customer Service Representative 1 & 2
Management Assistant
Technical Records Specialist 1
EXAMPLES OF EDUCATION/LICENSING THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED
Education:
Bachelor’s/Master’s in Business, Management, Organization Development, Public Administration, Finance, Instructional Technology, Training & Development, Adult Education, Education Technology