Cook - Academic Year Schedule

Augustana College; Rock Island (IL); On-site; USD 17,908 - 23,419; Full time

Job summary

Augustana College in Rock Island, IL seeks a Cook to prepare hot and cold items in the dining center and catering. Under the Executive Chef, you follow standardized recipes and maintain high quality while accommodating dietary requests.

This non‑exempt, full‑time, 10‑month position offers a starting wage of $15.00 per hour and a comprehensive benefits package. Ideal candidates have 1–3 years of food prep experience and a high school diploma.

Qualifications

• 1‑3 years of demonstrated experience in food preparation in a commercial setting preferred.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and in collaboration with others.
• Ability to work quickly in a high volume, customer‑oriented environment.
• Strong service orientation and ability to engage with guests.

Responsibilities

• Prepares hot and cold food items for dining center or catering, following recipes.
• Interacts with guests at stations, providing information and soliciting feedback.
• Works with staff to ensure timely, safe, and high‑quality production.
• Maintains production records and minimizes waste while meeting deadlines.
• Adheres to safety, sanitation, and dining service rules and regulations.

Skills

Food prep experience

Team collaboration

Customer service orientation

Ability to work with limited supervis

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Culinary training preferred

Job description

Augustana College is a nationally recognized college of the liberal arts and sciences dedicated to investing in engaged learning, maximizing student potential, and strengthening community partnerships – the guiding priorities of our Bold & Boundless Strategic Plan (2024‑29). For our 2,500 students from all backgrounds, Augustana provides a transformative experience that integrates rigorous academics, hands‑on learning and mentorship to prepare graduates for meaningful careers and lifelong success. The college’s scenic, wooded campus is located in Rock Island, Illinois, part of the Quad‑Cities metro area (pop. 470,000) along the Mississippi River, about a 3‑hour drive from Chicago. At Augustana, we seek innovative and student‑centered professionals who are excited to contribute to our strategic goals of empowering students through engaged learning, leadership development and real‑world experiences. Employees at Augustana enjoy an excellent benefit package including medical, retirement, generous paid time off, tuition benefits for employees and their family members, and much more.

Job Title

Cook

Wage Grade

715

Status

Non‑Exempt, Full‑time, 10 month schedule, additional summer work may be available

Reports To

Executive Chef

Overview

Under direct supervision, performs general cooking duties using standardized recipes and instructions as needed to prepare hot and cold food items for dining center, retail and catering.

Primary Duties

• Prepares hot and cold food items for dining center service or catering events. Adapts to special requests and dietary concerns of individuals upon request.
• Interacts with guests at food stations while preparing and serving foods according to the menu, providing information and soliciting feedback from guests and ensuring a high quality experience.
• Works with other cooks and dining services staff to insure that production of food occurs in a timely, safe and efficient manner and meets a high standard of quality.
• Records production for each shift making suggestions and/or communicating concerns on a daily basis.
• Works to minimize waste of food and meets high levels of productivity.
• Adheres to standardized recipes.
• Follows safety and sanitation standards set by state, federal and Augustana Dining Service’s rules and regulations.
• Works with other staff to produce necessary food products to meet deadlines.
• Collaborates with team members in a positive manner to achieve Dining Service’s objectives.
• Assist in providing on‑the‑job training and assists in directing the work of food service staff, including students within area of assignment.
• Notifies supervisor of food and supplies needed and when equipment or facilities are in need of repair.
• Performs other related preparation and sanitation duties as assigned.
• Works multiple stations within the Gerber Dining Center.
• Performs various other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Skills & Experience

• 1‑3 years of demonstrated experience in food preparation in a commercial setting or equivalent food service experience preferred. Minimum one year continuous employment in past position.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and in collaboration with other employees.
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently in a high volume, customer‑oriented environment.
• Outstanding service orientation and the ability to create immediate rapport with a wide variety of personalities.

Education

High School diploma or equivalent. Culinary training preferred.

Pay & Benefits

This position is budgeted to pay $15.00 per hour. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support the needs of employees.

• Full‑time employees are eligible for a comprehensive range of benefits including:
• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts
• Life insurance, disability insurance, and supplemental insurance programs
• Retirement plan with a generous company contribution
• Excellent paid time off/holiday benefits
• Tuition benefits for employees and their family members
• Access to company facilities (gym, pool, health center, etc.)
• You can learn more about our benefit programs at our Benefits website.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional food service environment. This role routinely uses commercial kitchen equipment such as rational ovens, stem kettles, bakery ovens, pizza ovens, and dish washers, along with basic office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax machines and filing cabinets.

Physical Demands

Must be able to lift 50 pounds on a frequent basis. Also required is the ability to listen, hear, speak, read, write, climb stairs, bend, stoop, and stand for intermittently long periods of time. Must possess finger and hand dexterity for using small tools and equipment.

Expected hours of work

Generally works shifts of 6am‑2:30pm or 11:30am‑8pm, including weekends. Typically rotates one week am and the next week pm. Rotating weekends off when possible. Work hours and schedule is driven by department's operational need. May occasionally work other 8 hours shifts or overtime between 6am ‑10pm to cover for special events, peak periods of operation and staff shortages. When academic classes are not in session and food service is not open you may work an 8 hours shift between 6am‑5pm.

Travel

Little to no travel is expected for this position.

EEO Statement

Augustana is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is Augustana College’s policy to provide equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability and any other category protected by federal, state or local law.