Food Service Worker - Temporary

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) merged on July 1, 2022, to form one agency, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). We are seeking a Temporary Food Service Worker to join the Dietary team at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI) for a temporary appointment limited to less than 780 hours per fiscal year.

Food Service Staff 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 cafeteria set up, washing and storing dishes and cleaning all equipment and appliances. The ideal candidate will work to ensure maximum production and quality standards are met, provide excellent service to all customers and follow all general sanitation standards.

If you would enjoy being part of a team helping adults, children, and families connect with mental health services and long-term care and treatment, this could be a great opportunity for you and an excellent introduction to employment with Iowa HHS. This position provides possibilities for advancement, growth and development.

CMHI provides active inpatient treatment to adults, adolescents and children in need of acute psychiatric care. The facility offers several services including individualized treatment plans. Support for children and adolescent patients 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.

Please Note: Under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services new vaccine mandate for healthcare workers (published on November 5, 2021 and affirmed by the United States Supreme Court on January 13, 2022), all potential employees of this facility must have received, at a minimum, the first dose of a primary series or a single dose vaccine OR have an approved religious or medical exemption (as determined by the agency) OR have documentation reflecting a temporary delay in vaccination (as determined by the agency in accordance with CDC allowances), prior to the start date. Candidates shall coordinate with agency staff to ensure all requirements are met before the individual provides any care, treatment or other services for the facility and/or its clients.

Cherokee Highlights

CMHI is located in Cherokee, Iowa, a city of approximately 5,000 located in the beautiful Little Sioux River Valley in Northwest Iowa. Enjoy fishing and canoeing on the Little Sioux River that 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 for things 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, and 2 ½ hours from Des Moines. Des Moines is home to Wells Fargo Arena (host site of NCAA Basketball and premier concerts), and Lauridsen Skatepark, the nation’s largest public skate venue. Additionally, Des Moines has one of the nation’s finest State Fairs and is home to professional sports teams the Iowa Cubs and Iowa Wolves. 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 foster youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are also 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 non-merit temporary position with the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services - Mental Health Institution - Cherokee.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

No specific education or experience requirements.