Cook - Temporary

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking a Cook to join the team at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI). This is a  temporary position with varied hours between 5:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday and rotating weekends and holidays. This temporary appointment is limited to less than 780 hours per fiscal year and provides opportunity for growth and advancement.
 
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 helping adults and families connect with mental health and disabilities services, this could be a great opportunity for you.
 
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. 
 
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 1 hour from Sioux City, 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.

This is a temporary non-merit position with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services -Mental Health Institute (Cherokee).