Cook 1

Cook 1 Position

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI) is seeking a Cook 1 to join the team! This is a full-time, 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. position with rotating weekends and holidays, and opportunity for advancement, growth, and development.

As a Cook at Cherokee, you will prepare food for clients and staff. We'll need you to complete pre-prep, cook various menu items according to recipe directions, handle needed modifications and monitor food to ensure service and storage at safe temperatures. Other duties include portioning prepared food items for serving or transporting, preserving food for future use, accurately documenting information and always utilizing safe food handling procedures. Cleanliness is a high priority and as a Cook, you will be expected to set a high standard of sanitizing equipment, utensils, all surfaces and the general work area. Our Cooks work as part of a team in the dietary department and should expect to gain experience in all areas of the kitchen.

If you enjoy cooking and would like to use your skills on a team that helps set the foundation at CMHI for connecting adults, children, and families to mental health services and long-term care, then this could be a great opportunity for you.

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

CMHI provides active inpatient treatment to adults in need of acute psychiatric care. The facility offers several services including individualized treatment plans. Support for patients with special education needs to continue their education is provided, and individuals are encouraged to collaborate with staff members in formulating their own plan. Medication, group counseling, and activities therapies might be included as well.

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.

CMHI is located in Cherokee, a city of approximately 5,000 set in the beautiful Little Sioux River Valley in Northwest Iowa. Residents enjoy fishing and canoeing on the Little Sioux River which winds through town providing a backdrop to a well-developed parks and trails system. In addition, Cherokee has over 1,000 acres of land devoted to parks and outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and horseback riding. Cherokee is the home of the first accredited museum and planetarium in Iowa, Sandford Museum and Planetarium, established in 1951. Cherokee may be the smallest town in the world to have its own symphony orchestra! This 60-member orchestra has been referred to as the "best kept secret in Northwest Iowa."

Cherokee is home to Western Iowa Tech Community College and 1 hour or less from other educational institutions including Morningside College, Northwestern College, Buena Vista University, and Dordt College. This quintessential Iowa town is 1 hour from Sioux City and 2 hours from Omaha.

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).

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

Experience equal to one year of full-time quantity food production in a commercial, military, hospital, or institutional setting; OR successful completion of a military, vocational, or community college program in commercial cooking; OR employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to six months of full-time work as a Food Service Worker.