Receptionist/Switchboard Operator

Administrative Support Assistant

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of Independence Mental Health Institute (IMHI) is seeking an Administrative Support Assistant to join our team! This is a full-time position with HHS.

The successful candidate will serve as a Receptionist/Switchboard Operator, responsible for greeting and assisting visitors, answering and directing incoming calls, and providing general reception support at the facility. The regular schedule will be night shift (11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.). Additional shift coverage, including day, weekend, or holiday hours, may be required to support the facility's 24/7 operations. The position also includes a variety of additional duties, which may involve basic clerical tasks and other assigned responsibilities.

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

IMHI provides inpatient treatment and acute psychiatric services, including individualized treatment plans and support for children and adolescent patients to continue their education. Individuals are encouraged to collaborate with staff members in formulating their own plan. Medication, group counseling, and activities therapies might be included as well. If you enjoy helping people with adult, children and family services, mental health treatment, disabilities services, and long-term care, this is a wonderful opportunity to consider.

When a long-term team member was asked "why did you choose a career at IMHI," the team member stated, "It really is the work that has kept me here. The work is rewarding. The patients are the most difficult to treat and most expensive. We are the final stop for getting cutting edge psychiatric treatment."

Benefits of Joining IMHI

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.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
• 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).
• 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).
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.

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.

Independence Highlights

IMHI is in Independence, Iowa, a city of approximately 6,000, located in scenic Northeast Iowa. The Wapsipinicon River flows through town offering many recreational opportunities from canoeing to fishing. Independence is a progressive community sporting a newer public library, trails, and Cedar Rock state park which includes a Frank Lloyd Wright home.

Independence is 30 minutes from Waterloo/Cedar Falls home of the UNI Panthers, 45 minutes from Cedar Rapids and 1 hour from Iowa City, home of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

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 View phone number on click.appcast.io 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

Minimum Qualification Requirements

No specific education or work experience required. For more information click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Qualification Requirements

Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to type at least 40 WPM net as demonstrated by the completion of a typing examination.