Retail Dining Associate

Illinois State University; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance benefits

Retirement options

Tuition waiver benefits

Paid holidays

Paid sick time

Job summary

Illinois State University’s Retail Dining Associate position supports the Department of Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality. You will assist in food production, sanitation, and service across venues like McAlister's Deli, Starbucks, and Qdoba, under supervision of restaurant leadership.

The role is full-time, with a requirement for a high school diploma and pre-employment physical. Benefits include university programs and a competitive hourly wage.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Post-offer pre-employment physical exam required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in food production and service.
• Maintain sanitation standards.
• Provide customer service.
• Handle cash transactions.

Skills

Food service exp

Cleaning materials

Read and write

Communication skills

Customer service

Follow instructions

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Title: Retail Dining 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 assisting the restaurant manager and assistant manager with all aspects of food production and service in our retail venues. Persons in this position have a hand in food production, sanitation, customer service, and cash handling. This position will work in any one of our retail venues including the McAlister's Deli, Starbucks, Qdoba, The Landing, Timbers Grille, and the U High School Store. 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

$17.76 per hour

Required Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. 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 year of experience in food service.
2. Knowledge of use and operation of cleaning materials, methods and equipment.
3. Ability to read and write.
4. Ability to perform other related duties as assigned.
5. Ability to follow oral and written instructions and work independently.
6. Ability to apply common sense to carry out detailed instructions.
7. Good communication skills.
8. Good customer service skills.

Work Hours

Working hours and days off will be subject to bid. Please note: the hours for this position are full-time and this is not a student worker position.

Functional Expectations

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

• Ability to lift 55 pounds.
• Ability to push/pull 30 pounds.
• Ability to climb, bend, crouch, kneel, and reach overhead.
• Ability to stand for an extended period of time without a significant rest period.
• Ability to see and speak clearly.

Proposed Starting Date

2026

Required Applicant Documents

Reference List

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

• Certification of Retirement Annuity
• Food Service Sanitation Certificate

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

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 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 position is 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].