Culinary Associate

Illinois State University; Normal (AL); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition waiver for staff and dependets

Retirement options

Paid holidays

Job summary

Illinois State University is seeking a Culinary Associate within the Department of Event Management, Dining and Hospitality to support dining operations and showcase culinary skills. The role involves working with experienced professionals in renovated facilities, preparing fresh menu items, and participating in display cooking such as woks, grilling, and pizza making to enhance the dining experience.

The position emphasizes diversity, quality ingredients, and teamwork, with benefits including

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year (12 months) of work experience comparable to the lower level of this series, including food preparation with varied recipes and menus.
• Final candidate must complete a post-offer pre-employment physical exam. Employment contingent on results.

Skills

Food preparation

Food safety

Communication

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

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/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

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

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