Job Description

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 Lead Purchasing Agent to join the team at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI). This is a full-time position with a 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday work schedule. We also offer a strong opportunity for advancement, growth and development.

This position serves in a lead role in the Purchasing Office at CMHI. The Lead Purchasing Agent works closely with a Budget Analyst and Business Manager and leads the work of a Purchasing Agent 1. This is a fast-paced opportunity for someone who can effectively interact with multiple departments to efficiently procure equipment and supplies, manage service contracts and leases, and perform certain accounting and coding duties.

CMHI provides inpatient treatment and acute psychiatric services. The facility offers several services including individualized treatment plans and support for children and adolescent patients to continue their education. 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)
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan)
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance

For additional information on benefits click here (Download PDF reader).
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 set 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 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. It is also 2 ½ hours from Des Moines, home to Wells Fargo Arena (a host site of NCAA Basketball and premier concerts), as well as 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, Iowa Wolves, Iowa Barnstormers and Iowa Wild. 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 HHS 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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from high school, or G.E.D., and six years of full-time work in the procurement of technical, standardized, expendable and non-expendable items;

graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in business or public administration, accounting or economics and two years of the required experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of education (30 semester hours or one year) for each year of the required experience; employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to eighteen months as a Purchasing Agent 1.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. (Download PDF reader)

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