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Food Service Worker - Temporary

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 Temporary Food Service Worker to join our team! This is a temporary position limited to 780 hours per fiscal year within an 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. schedule with alternating weekends.

The Food Service Worker (FSW) will perform manual food service work in the serving of meals, assist in the diet line area, check in food deliveries to ensure product quality, follow recipes, and work on pre-prep. Additional duties include assisting in the cafeteria set up, washing and putting away dishes, cleaning all equipment along with appliances, sinks, cabinets, tables, and carts. The ideal candidate will work to ensure maximum production and quality standards are met, provide excellent customer service to all customers, and follow all general sanitation standards. The successful candidate will have knowledge of the methods and practices of food preparation and service, the principles of food sanitation, health hazards in food service and the necessary precautionary measures, as well as the care and use of food service utensils and equipment.

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. For more CMHI info: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-care-facilities/cherokee-mental-health-institute

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.”

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 1-800-735-2942 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 www.e-verify.gov.


This is a non-merit temporary position with the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services - Mental Health Institution - Cherokee. 

Qualifications

No specific education or experience requirements.

Date Posted
02/10/2026
Job Reference
26-02112
Organization
400 Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care
Location
Cherokee - 51012 - Cherokee County, IA 50319
Category
Operations
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