[Job-Listings] Iowa Department for the Blind: Program Administrator Position

Thu Feb 19 18:51:13 UTC 2026

This is a great position with the potential to make a significant impact. An ideal candidate will have professional experience in serving youth, event planning, and project or program management. 

Program Administrator <https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/5242649/program-administrator?page=1&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs&sort=PostingDate%7CDescending&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery> 

Salary: $72,238.40 - $111,238.40 Annually

Location: Des Moines - 50309 - Polk County, IA

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 26-02256

Agency: 131 Iowa Department for the Blind

Opening Date: 02/19/2026

Closing Date: 3/1/2026 11:59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag: #LI-DNP

Point of Contact: Stacy Cervenka stacy.cervenka at blind.state.ia.us <mailto:stacy.cervenka at blind.state.ia.us>  

Job Description

IDB is looking for a leader who is passionate about ensuring that blind youth and adults have the skills and self-confidence they need to work, live independently, and pursue the lives they choose. This position will oversee the LEAP Youth Summer Program, the Youth Weekend Retreats, and the Adult Skills Retreats. The Program Administrator hires, directs, and evaluates 3 young adult rehabilitation counselors, 3 rehabilitation instructors, an events coordinator, administrative staff, and various seasonal summer counselors. 

Job duties include but are not limited to:

1.	Plan, organize, coordinate, and lead monthly week-long adult skills retreats, monthly weekend youth college and career exploration retreats, and 8-week summer youth residential program
2.	Serve as the lead instructor at youth and adult retreats and as the camp director at summer youth program
3.	Supervise program staff and recruit summer staff.
4.	Work with VR counselors and VR teachers to facilitate program participation.
5.	Perform outreach to schools and other educational partners to increase awareness of IDB services.
6.	Coordinate program housing and training facilities.
7.	Ensure provision of required staff training and documentation of staff training.
8.	Ensure tracking of student IEP goals and oversee progress monitoring.
9.	Work cross-divisionally to increase youth program offerings.
10.	Serve as a member of the agency leadership team.

An ideal candidate will:

1.	Strong attention to detail and ability to manage several concurrent projects and events
2.	Possess a positive attitude toward blindness and disability and belief in the potential of all youth to learn, grow, and obtain gainful employment.
3.	Experience with project management, event planning and coordination, and/or running educational, vocational rehabilitation, or recreational programs
4.	It is ideal, though not required, to know braille, basic access technology, cane travel, and other adjustment-to-blindness skills and have the ability to teach those skills to staff and students OR willingness to receive intensive on-the-job training to master these skills and teach them.
5.	Experience working with or teaching blind and low vision people or other people with disabilities
6.	Experience providing Pre-Employment Transition Services or other college and career readiness skills
7.	Have strong organizational and time management skills.
8.	Strong attention to details.
9.	Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with students, colleagues, educators, and other stakeholders.
10.	Demonstrate patience, flexibility, enthusiasm, and collaboration.
11.	Have experience writing, updating, and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
12.	Have experience creating a positive and supportive work environment.

It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment. For more information, contact stacy.cervenka at blind.state.ia.us <mailto:stacy.cervenka at blind.state.ia.us> .

Benefits:

At the State of Iowa, we are committed to your well-being. As a valued team member, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

1.	Paid Time Off: Enjoy vacation with accruals that rollover on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual and 9 paid holidays per year.
2.	Great Benefits: Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Options.
3.	Retirement Plan: IPERS Retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.
4.	Flexibility: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care).
5.	Life Insurance: Free Life Insurance.
6.	Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs.

To learn more about the benefits of working with the State of Iowa, visit our benefits webpage. <https://iowa.attract.neogov.com/recruitment/p/benefits?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery> 

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university and the equivalent of four years of full-time professional level experience such as program administration, development, management or operations;

OR

substitution of experience of the caliber and scope indicated above for the required undergraduate college education on the basis one year of qualifying experience is equivalent to one year of undergraduate education;

OR

substitution of twenty-four hours of graduate level course work in a special program curriculum such as Rehabilitation, Law, Education, Engineering, or Public or Business Administration for each year of the required experience to a maximum substitution of two years.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. <https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/class_and_pay/JobClassDescriptions/ProgramAdministrator-41005.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery>  (Download PDF reader) <https://get.adobe.com/reader/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery> 

Mary Horton

Information Specialist

524 4th St. Des Moines, IA 50309

515-601-9126

mary.horton at blind.state.ia.us <mailto:mary.horton at blind.state.ia.us>  

Iowa Department for the Blind <https://blind.iowa.gov/> 

Schedule a Teams meeting with me <https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meeting/new?attendees=mary.horton@blind.state.ia.us> 

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