Culinary Worker II - Dining Services, University Housing

Culinary Worker II - Dining Services, University Housing

Dining Services focuses on making sure our residents are well served and eating tasty, sustainable and healthy meals. At the same time, our team provides high-end catering options that can service weddings, events and parties. Staff within our dining team also work on nutrition, operations, training, menu planning and so much more. While University Housing employs over 1,000 student staff each year, hundreds of those student staff members work on the dining staff and are a key part of the team.

Job Summary

Prepares and serves food product(s) for University Housing, Dining Services. All University Housing staff will engage and contribute to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within University Housing.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepares or assists in the preparation of food items, including such tasks as cleaning, dicing, slicing and peeling food items, and weighing, measuring, and mixing ingredients.
• Performs simple cooking, grilling, and food preparation, such as boiling eggs, making jello, making toast, and making coffee; cooking items for cold salad preparation; assisting in mixing, kneading, panning, and baking bread/desserts.
• Prepares and assists in serving of food as required. Portions, serves and wraps the food, or places it directly on plates for service to patrons, such as cutting pies or sandwiches and making beverages.
• Cleans and sanitizes work areas, counters, tables, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
• Maintains quality, appearance, cleanliness, sanitation, and product levels of serving line during service.
• May oversee and train student employees and/or assigned personnel as required.
• Provides courteous service to guests and promotes good customer relations.
• Wraps and labels products for storage and plans for the re-utilization of leftover foods.
• Serves foods as required.
• Responsible for filling out production worksheets to track food production, product utilization, shortages, including overproduction and/or spoilage/waste.
• Reports equipment failures to the designated supervisor, maintains equipment and supplies needed in service area.

Physical Demands

• Lifting/Carrying: Frequently
• Standing/Walking: Frequently
• Bending/Stooping: Frequently
• Reaching/Stretching: Frequently
• Pushing/Pulling: Frequently
• Physical Endurance: Occasionally
• Manual Dexterity: Occasionally
• Balance/Coordination: Occasionally
• Climbing: Occasionally
• Operating Machinery: Occasionally

Working Conditions

• Extreme Cold: Occasionally
• Extreme Heat: Occasionally
• Humidity: Occasionally
• Wet: Occasionally
• Noise: Frequently
• Hazards: Occasionally
• Temperature Changes: Occasionally
• Inclement Weather: Occasionally
• Tight Spaces: Occasionally
• Work Outdoors: Occasionally

Additional Physical Demands

Position involves working in a kitchen area which is heated by ovens and stoves. Position involves frequent bending, lifting, remaining in a stationary position and moving throughout the assigned work area as well as moving and operating kitchen equipment. Working Conditions: The work is performed in an Industrial Kitchen where there is some discomfort in low temperature areas (-10 degrees F) and/or high temperature areas (90 degrees F). There is risk involved when working with dangerous machinery and wet floors. Industry standards related to cleanliness will be maintained at all times.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Six (6) months of work experience in food preparation in a commercial setting.

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 3867 - Culinary Worker II position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. This is a bargained position and as such, the salary is driven by the collective bargaining agreement. The wage for this position is $19.56 per hour. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. Fully-onsite – This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on October 3, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

When submitting your application, please submit a cover letter and resume. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Housing Human Resources at careers@housing.illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.