Cook 2

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking a Cook 2 to join the team at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI). This is a full-time position with a Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. schedule with rotating weekends and holidays.

The Cook 2 is a hands-on member of the Dietary team with responsibilities in all areas of the food service operation, as well as lead duties in meal preparation and supervision. This position prepares daily meals, cleans/sanitizes equipment and provides teamwork related service in all areas of the kitchen as needed to ensure deadlines are met and workflow is not interrupted. The Cook 2 verifies special dietary needs and the availability of recipes and ingredients for the day, enters and adjusts recipes as needed, checks production sheets, coordinates delivery and storage of food items including proper appliance temperature, monitors food temperatures throughout preparation and ensures that all end of day tasks are completed. In the absence of the Food Production Supervisor, the Cook 2 assigns daily pre-prep and production schedules and oversees other food service staff to make sure all products are completed in a timely manner. In addition to these and other duties assigned, this position communicates pertinent information to supervisors, confirms that all preparations comply with established guidelines and provides excellent customer service.

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 includingindividualized 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.

We have a great total compensation package, including:

• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) (Employee contributes 6.29%/State of Iowa contributes 9.44%)
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan) (State of Iowa matches up to $75/month)
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance (See below for additional information)
• Vacation Leave (96 hours/year to begin, and increases with years of service)
• Sick Leave (144 hours/year)
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance ($20,000 paid for by the State of Iowa)
• Long-Term Disability Insurance

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.

Cherokee Highlights

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. Check out these 10 Reasons to Move to Iowa.

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 DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.