Power Plant Engineer

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 Power Plant Engineer 3 to join our team. This is a full-time position with a Tuesday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. schedule. The role involves operating and repairing steam generating boilers and electrical generating equipment.

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

• Operate and repair steam generating boilers and electrical generating equipment.
• Apply plant safety and accident prevention measures while operating, maintaining, and repairing heating or power plant equipment.
• Perform chemical water testing and treatment methods to prevent scaling, pitting of boiler tubes, and buildup of sludge deposits.
• Operate, adjust, and control steam and electrical generating systems, requiring climbing, lifting, bending, and walking.

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well‑being and professional growth.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage – Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage.
• Paid Time Off – Vacation (96 hours per year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours per year), and paid holidays (9 days per year).
• Retirement Plans – Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) and our Retirement Investors Club (RIC). Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75 per month).
• Flexible Spending Accounts – Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage – Benefit from life insurance and free long‑term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program – Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee Discount Programs – Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.

For additional information on benefits, please see the State of Iowa benefits brochure.

to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

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, a well‑developed parks and trails system, and 1,000 acres of land devoted to outdoor activities including camping, hiking, and horseback riding. Cherokee is home to the first accredited museum and planetarium in Iowa, the Santa Fe Museum and Planetarium, and the city’s symphony orchestra.

The area also hosts Western Iowa Tech Community College and is within an hour of other educational institutions.

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 applicants may use Relay Iowa (TDD) 1‑800‑735‑2942.

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of 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 Federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

• Experience equal to three years of full‑time work in the operation, maintenance and repair of steam generating boilers, centralized air‑conditioning or electrical power generating equipment and auxiliary systems.
• OR an equivalent combination of education and…