Culinary Worker I - Kitchen Helper (1166) [REPOST]

Northern Illinois University; DeKalb (IL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Illinois University is seeking a Culinary Worker I - Kitchen Helper for a 9-month assignment. The role supports dining services across NIU residences, our student center dining, and campus cafes, focusing on service, production, and sanitation tasks.

Responsibilities include setting up service lines, assisting cooks, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring safe, sanitary operations consistent with department standards. Evening/weekend hours may be required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Illinois Food Handler Training Certification.
• Knowledge of sanitary procedures and directives.
• Ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Set up hot and cold service lines and salad bars with appropriate food items, utensils, equipment, and line cards.
• Inform production and management when items are running low or quality/appearance does not meet standards.
• Replenish items on serving line and salad bar as needed.
• Maintain sanitation standards of service and production areas and equipment.
• Assist in the preparation of hot and cold food items under supervision.
• Greet customers and verify residential status using the POS system.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Find your Career at Northern Illinois University!

Culinary Worker I - Kitchen Helper (1166) [REPOST]

Working Position Title Culinary Worker I - Kitchen Helper (1166) [REPOST]

Classification

Classification Culinary Worker I

Position Number

Position Number 00001166

Open Date

Open Date 09/21/2026

Close Date

Close Date 10/12/2026

Priority Review Date

Employee Class

Employee Class Staff

Full-Time/Part Time

Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time

FTE

FTE 1.00

Position Status

Position Status Regular

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Job code

Job code 3866

Union Representation

Union Representation Union

Union Code

Union Code AFS - AFSCME, Local #963

Unit/Department

Unit/Department Residential Dining Service

College/Unit

College/Unit Campus Dining Service

Division

Location

Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

The department of Campus Dining handles all things dining on campus. From residential meal plans to event catering, we provide nutritional food for students, faculty, staff and guests. We manage over a dozen eating establishments at NIU including residence hall dining, restaurants and coffee shops at the student center, and the cafe in Barsema Hall. We employ the students and professionals who work in our restaurants and cafes.
Procedures on all food preparation, food handling (service), and sanitation are provided in the Food Production procedure and the Task Training Manual. Food Service Managers, Assistant Food Service Managers, and supervisors are present in house to serve as resource personnel and to monitor the quantity and quality of items being prepared for service and to insure sanitation standards are being met.

Position Summary

9-month position (Aug 16-May 15); actual start and end dates may vary based on academic calendar
This position is responsible to insure operational needs of customer service, production, and sanitation are met in all areas of Campus Dining. The individual in this position works under the supervision of Food Service Management.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Food Service

• Responsible for setting up hot and cold service lines and salad bars with appropriate food items, serving utensils, equipment, and line cards
• Inform production and management personnel when food items being served are running low and/or quality and/or appearance is not acceptable to departmental standards
• Replenish items on serving line and salad bar as needed, checking with production personnel on items to be used
• Responsible for clean-up of assigned work area and equipment used

Production

• Under the instruction of the cooks, cooks helpers, and/or management, assist in the preparation of hot and cold food items

Sanitation

• Maintain sanitation standards of service and production area and equipment according to State and Departmental rules and regulations
• Responsible for weekly clean-up of assigned areas to ensure sanitary conditions are met.
• Assist in dish room as needed

Customer

• Greet customers, checking identification cards and verifying residential status by use of the POS terminal system
• Perform other job-related duties as requested by administrators

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• As required by the position to be filled, possession of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Food Handler Training Certification (from an American National Standards Institute ( ANSI ) accredited trainer).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

• Knowledge of sanitary procedures and directives; how to use simple cleaning solutions and equipment.
• Skill in giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made
• Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
• Ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

None

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Food Handlers Certificate or Food Service Manager Certification

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

N/A

Additional Requirements (SPS)

N/A

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

N/A

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to taste or smell.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and depth perception.

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

Anticipated Appointment Start Date 11/1/2025

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Percent of Staff Year

Percent of Staff Year 0.75

Standard Hours Per Week 37.50

Working Hours

Working Hours Varies based on Department needs, may include nights and weekends

Salary $23,400.00/annually (based on a 9-month appointment); NIU offers a robust benefits package.

Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range

Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range $16.00/hourly

Earn Type

Earn Type Hourly

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator

Health Services Building Room 230

[e-mail]

815-753-5560

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of