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Cook 1

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Cook 1

Salary

$14.97 - $21.32 Hourly

Location

Cherokee - 51012 - Cherokee County, IA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

25-02916

Agency

400 Health & Human Services- State Operated Specialty Care- Cherokee Mental Health Institute

Opening Date

04/30/2025

Closing Date

5/11/2025 11:59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag

#LI-POST

Point of Contact

Donna Bobzien-Wade, [email protected]

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Job Description

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 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 (https://das.iowa.gov/media/3766/download?inline=) .

Click hereto 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 (https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/iowa/10-reasons-move-to-ia/) .

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).

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 visitwww.e-verify.gov.

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 withcurrentcontinuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to six months of full-time work as a Food Service Worker.

For additional information, please click on thislink to view the job description (https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/class\_and\_pay/JobClassDescriptions/Cook1-07220.pdf) .

Why Choose the State of Iowa?

At the heart of our commitment to excellence is a dedication to our most valuable asset – our employees. Discover the outstanding benefits that set us apart as an employer of choice.

Our Robust Benefits Package Includes:

Competitive Compensation:

Enjoy a competitive salary that reflects directly on your skills and expertise.

Keep in mind, your wage is just one part of your total compensation. Unlock the complete value of your employment with the State of Iowa by using our user-friendlyTotal Compensation Calculator (https://das.iowa.gov/media/3773/download?inline) .Gain insights into your comprehensive annual compensation, including salary and State-provided benefits.

Health and Wellness:

Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the State of Iowa covers 90% of the premiums, providing you and your loved ones with excellent coverage at a remarkably low cost.

Retirement Planning:

We are proud to offer the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). A defined benefit plan, IPERS benefits are guaranteed for life, meaning once you retire, you will receive the same monthly benefit for the remainder of your life (once vested). We invest in your long-term financial well-being, so you can retire with peace of mind.Click here to learn more about IPERS (https://ipers.org/members) .

Paid Time Off:

Life is unpredictable, and at the State of Iowa, we understand the importance of work-life balance. Our leave policies, including paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with unlimited accrual, ensure you have the flexibility you need for personal and family matters.

Professional Development:

Elevate your career with continuous learning opportunities. We support your growth through training programs, workshops, and tuition reimbursement.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

We care about your well-being beyond the workplace. Access confidential counseling, resources, and support through our Employee Assistance Program.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces all backgrounds and perspectives. We believe diversity is a strength that drives innovation.

Join Us - Elevate Your Career:

Ready to elevate your career with the State of Iowa?Click here (https://iowa.attract.neogov.com/recruitment/p/benefits) to explore more about our unparalleled benefits and discover what makes us unique. Your success is our priority!

01

Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability?

Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely.Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question.Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

+ Yes - I understand and agree.

+ No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?

+ No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

+ Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

03

How many months of full-time work experience do you have in quantity food production in a commercial, military, hospital, or institutional setting?

+ No experience

+ Less than 12 months of full-time work experience in quantity food production in a commercial, military, hospital, or institutional setting

+ 12 or more months of full-time work experience in quantity food production in a commercial, military, hospital, or institutional setting

04

Have you successfully completed a military, vocational, or community college program in commercial cooking?

+ Yes

+ No

05

Are you a current State of Iowa employee (executive branch)? IF YES – How many months do you have of full-time work in the classification of Food Service Worker for the State of Iowa?

+ Not applicable – I am not a State of Iowa employee

+ No experience in the classification of Food Service Worker for the State of Iowa

+ Less than six months of experience in the classification of Food Service Worker for the State of Iowa

+ Six months or more of experience in the classification of Food Service Worker for the State of Iowa

Required Question

Employer

State of Iowa

Agency

400 Health & Human Services- State Operated Specialty Care- Cherokee Mental Health Institute

Address

1251 W Cedar Loop

Cherokee, 51012

Website

http://dhs.iowa.gov/mhds/mental-health/in-patient/mental-health-institutes/cherokee

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