Purchasing Agent

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI) are seeking a Purchasing Agent to procure goods and services in support of the facility. This is a  full-time position with a Monday

• Friday, 7:00 a.m.

• 3:30 schedule and opportunity for advancement, growth, and development.

The position reports to the CMHI Business Manager and works with a Lead Purchasing Agent and Budget Analyst routinely. The Purchasing Office supports both CMHI and the Civil Commitment Unit for Sex Offenders (CCUSO), a sister HHS facility located on the CMHI campus. The successful candidate for the Purchasing Agent position should enjoy working in a fast paced environment and have excellent organizational and decision making skills. Some responsibilities include:

• Procuring goods and services for CMHI and CCUSO in compliance with State of Iowa policies and codes.

• Providing excellent service to internal and external customers.

• Determining the most efficient and cost-effective means to procure goods using master agreements, service contracts, and approved vendors.

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.

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.

Click here to 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.

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.Graduation from high school, or G.E.D., and experience equal to four years full-time work in the procurement of standardized, expendable/non-expendable items;

OR

graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in business or public administration, accounting or economics;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of the required experience for each year (30 semester hours or one year) of the required education.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.