Jim Kurtenbach on Monday announced his resignation as director of the Iowa Department of Human Services, effective March 6, less than a year after his appointment, the Des Moines Register reported. Gov. Kim Reynolds named Kurtenbach to lead the department last June, and he has headed the agency since July 1, 2019. Senate Democrats blocked the reappointment of Kurtenbach’s predecessor, Janet Phipps, over concerns about her handling of sexual harassment cases. Kurtenbach would have needed to be confirmed by the Iowa Senate to continue serving in the job; both Democrat and Republican leaders said they had not expressed any concerns about him. In his resignation letter to Reynolds, Kurtenbach said the department has made significant accomplishments in the past year.