Culinary Associate

Illinois State University; Normal, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement options

Tuition waiver

Paid holidays

Paid benefit time

Job summary

Illinois State University is seeking a Culinary Associate to join the Department of Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality. You will work under experienced culinary professionals in renovated facilities, preparing fresh menu items and contributing to a vibrant campus dining experience.

The role emphasizes safety, teamwork, and excellent customer service, with opportunities to showcase skills in woks, salads, grilling, and pizza making while supporting inclusive, high-quality food services.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of work experience comparable to the lower level of this series, including food preparation with standard recipes.
• Post-offer pre-employment physical exam required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare fresh and delicious menu items using a broad range of culinary skills and equipment.
• Participate in display cooking with woks, salads, grilling, and pizza making.
• Assist dining operations staff in delivering high-quality food services.

Skills

Food preparation

Safety knowledge

Communication skills

Supervise staff

Train student employees

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Utensils & equipment care

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

• knowledge of materials and methods used in preparation of food on a large scale
• knowledge of the use and care of utensils and equipment
• knowledge of food values and nutrition
• ability to do plain cooking on a large scale
• ability to work with and supervise other kitchen employees
• 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

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].