Culinary Associate

Illinois State University; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition waiver

Paid holidays

Job summary

Illinois State University is seeking a Culinary Associate to support dining operations, including food preparation, display cooking, and operation of diverse kitchen equipment in a busy campus setting.

The role emphasizes teamwork, quality standards, and the ability to work with student staff under supervision of culinary professionals. It offers opportunities to contribute to fresh, high-quality menu items for events and daily dining.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 1 year of related food prep experience.
• Post-offer pre-employment physical required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare a broad range of menu items using diverse methods.
• Display cooking techniques including wok, salad, grilling, and pizza making.
• Ensure high quality, safe, and consistent food service for events and dining.
• Work collaboratively with dining and hospitality teams to meet standards.

Skills

Food preparation

Cooking

Quality standards

Teamwork

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Kitchen equipment handling

Job description

Title: Culinary Associate

Division Name: Student Affairs

Department: Event Management, Dining and Hospitality

Job Summary

The Department of Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality is one of 15 departments within the Division of Student Affairs. It provides the campus community and guests with high-quality, efficient, and innovative event services and dining options in a variety of settings dedicated to accentuating and enhancing the campus experience in a diverse community. This position is an integral part of our dining operations staff. Led by experienced culinary professionals, we offer staff the opportunity to work in newly-renovated facilities and are committed to using quality ingredients and processes. This position plays an integral role in accomplishing this goal by utilizing a broad range of culinary skills and equipment to prepare fresh and delicious menu items. Our culinary staff frequently participates in display cooking, utilizing woks, salad preparation, grilling, and pizza making to enhance our customers' experience. Whether it's to find a place to study, gather with friends, enjoy a bite to eat, or plan a large event, the Department of Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality takes great pride in providing welcoming and inclusive spaces, high-quality food services, and experienced and professional staff who care about making every experience individualized and extraordinary. It is our philosophy to recruit, inspire, and retain talented team members and promote wellness and foster their development. It is our goal to promote a more fully diverse and inclusive campus community.

Additional Information

University Benefit Highlights:

• Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
• Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
• Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
• Paid holiday and administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
• Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$20.92 per hour

Required Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. One (1) year (12 months) of work experience that is comparable to that described in the lower level of this series. This includes work such as preparing food by various methods with a full variety of menu items from standardized and portion size recipes, dietary manuals, oral or written instructions and cycle menus including preparing modified diets.
3. A final candidate must complete a post-offer pre-employment physical exam. Employment is contingent on the successful result of the pre-employment physical.

Preferred Qualifications

1. One (1) year of work experience in quantity cooking.
2. Full knowledge and acceptance of principles of diversity.
3. Knowledge of food values and nutrition; knowledge of materials and methods used in preparation of food on a large scale.
4. Knowledge of safety and sanitation principles.
5. Knowledge of the use and care of utensils and equipment.
6. Good communication skills; ability to follow oral and written instructions and work independently.
7. Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, and the ability to produce results working as part of a team or committee.
8. Ability to work with and supervise other kitchen employees; ability to train and instruct student employees; good customer service skills.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES NEEDED TO UNDERTAKE JOB

1. knowledge of materials and methods used in preparation of food on a large scale
2. knowledge of the use and care of utensils and equipment
3. knowledge of food values and nutrition
4. ability to do plain cooking on a large scale
5. ability to work with and supervise other kitchen employees
6. cleanliness

Work Hours

Working hours and days off will be subject to bid

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

This position requires standing, walking, use of fingers and hands, reaching, lifting, kneeling, stooping, crouching, speaking, seeing, hearing, tasting, and smelling. It also requires the ability to stand for an extended period of time without a significant rest period.

Proposed Starting Date

2026

Required Applicant Documents

Reference List

Optional Applicant Documents

Certification of Retirement Annuity

American National Standards Institute’s Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification - See Special Instructions to Applicant section for additional options

Transcripts - See Special Instructions to Applicant section for additional options

Special Instructions for Applicants

Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview.

A final candidate must complete a post-offer pre-employment physical exam. Employment is contingent on the successful result of the pre-employment physical.

In order to receive the maximum eligible points for the civil service exam, you may upload transcripts or a food service certificate under the optional documents, if applicable. In order to be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation, such as a DD214, may be faxed, mailed, or delivered to Human Resources, in order to receive the maximum eligible points:

Fax: [phone], Attn: Breanna Crippen

Address: Illinois State University

Human Resources

Campus Box 1300

Normal, IL 61790-1300

Working hours and days off will be subject to bid.

This position is represented by AFSCME Local 1110.

This is a full-time position on an academic calendar. It will be subject to academic break lay-off (such as spring break, summer break).

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois.

Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Contact Information for Applicants

Breanna Crippen

Human Resources

309-438-8315

[e-mail]

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at [phone]. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at [phone].