Position Information
Posting Detail Information
Working Position Title Retail Dining Associate (0489) [Multiple Positions] Classification Food Court/Snack Bar Attendant Position Number 00000489 Open Date 07/27/2026 Close Date 08/17/2026 Priority Review Date Employee Class Staff Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time FTE 1.00 Position Status Regular FLSA Non-Exempt Job code 0516 Union Representation Union Union Code AFS - AFSCME, Local #963 Unit/Department Campus Dining Service College/Unit Campus Dining Service Division Student Affairs Location SN DINE Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page https://www.niu.edu/dining/
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 café in Barsema Hall. We employ the students and professionals who work in our restaurants and cafes.
Position Summary
9-month position (Aug 16-May 15); actual start and end dates may vary by academic year
This position reports to the Food Court/Snack Bar Supervisor. Employees in this series prepare and serve fast-food and beverages and/or supervise such activities in a snack bar/sundry operation.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Food Preparation
- Assist in food preparation
- Clean, slice and portion meats, vegetables and other foods for serving
- Prepare items for steam tables and holding carts including potatoes, pasta, sauces, and gravies
- Prepare salads and desserts
- Prepare coffee and tea and restock beverage area
- Prepare and bake cookies, brownies, muffins in accordance with established procedures to ensure quality and freshness
- Prepare cold plate combinations and arrange ingredients attractively and add garnishes and dressing
- Prepare ingredients and assemble all orders of sandwiches, potatoes, soups and pizza including baking, grilling and frying
- Gather food supplies as needed
- Weigh/measure all food supplies using the correct measuring tool
- Use correct utensils for food preparation and serving
Food Service
- Assist in serving food, including order taking and the use of a cash register
- Replenish serving line and holding carts as needed
Sanitation
- Follow established sanitation principles in accordance with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) guidelines
- Follow established safety techniques
- Thaw food items according to established sanitation guidelines
- Use the oldest foods first, follow first in first out process (FIFO)
- Check any leftover food for quality in accordance with established procedures
- Check food temperatures before preparing, during preparation, holding and serving
- Properly store all food items before, during, and after serving
- Ensure all stored foods are labeled with name of the item, date time, in shallow pans, covered and vented properly for cooling
Cleaning
- Assist with the front-of-house cleaning, including bussing tables and the general cleaning of the seating area
Supervisory
- Work with student employees
- Supervise student employees and assign daily tasks as needed
- Read the student job description
- Report any absences or problems to the Administrator or Student Manager
- Ensure that all workers assigned are properly trained to perform the tasks they are assigned to complete
Other Related Duties
- Perform other related duties as assigned
Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)
- High school diploma or equivalent.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)
- Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Ability to make accurate and rapid calculations in the transfer of products and cash.
- Ability to maintain simple account records and forms
Specialty Factors (Civil Service)
None
Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)
- One (1) year of experience in food service.
- Possession of a valid Illinois Department of Public Health, Food Handler Training Certification (from an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited trainer).
Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)
N/A
Additional Requirements (SPS)
N/A
Preferred Qualifications (SPS)
N/A
Physical demands/requirements
- 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.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts.
- The employee is frequently exposed to wet/or humid conditions.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Appointment and Compensation Details
Appointment and Compensation Details
Anticipated Appointment Start Date 09/01/2026 Anticipated Appointment End Date Percent of Staff Year 0.75 Standard Hours Per Week 37.50 Working Hours varies based on department needs, includes nights weekends Salary $24,365.25/annually (based on a 9-month appointment); NIU offers a robust benefits package. Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range $16.66/hourly Earn Type Hourly
Application Procedure
Application Procedure
Application Procedure
Application Procedures:
Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates 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. Important: Please upload any unofficial transcript(s) and/or documentation that verifies any education, experience, and/or training you have received.
If eligible for Veteran's Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.
After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this position. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register.
Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu. Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.
Applicants must be a current citizen or resident of the State of Illinois to move forward in the hiring process.
Credentials Assessment Examination:
- The examination for this position is a Credentials Assessment and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. A Credential Assessment is a rating by the Human Resources Office of an applicant's/employee's education, experience, and special credentials/qualifications (licenses, etc.). Applicants are required to upload documentation to verify the minimum qualifications for this position has been met.
- Required documentation noted in the posting, such as a driver's license, licensures, or certifications MUST be uploaded with your application materials.
- After assessment of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three (3) scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.
Additional Details:
- Click on Food Court/Snack Bar Attendant for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.
- Please click on Human Resource Services - Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University's benefits package.
- Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.
Special Instructions
n/a
Quick Link to Applicant https://employment.niu.edu/postings/94245 Is Background Check Required? Yes EEO Statement Summary
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
TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu
815-753-5560
Visa Policy
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 Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity (AAEO) at ada@niu.edu.
Safety Information
NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.
Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
- List of at least 3 Professional References
Optional Documents
- Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
- Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
- Other
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
(Open Ended Question)
- If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points? The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered.
Yes
No
Not Applicable
- Select the answer that best describes your work experience following safety regulations while cooking, preparing, and serving meals that require simple preparation methods; cooking and packaging batches of convenience food items for sale (such as hamburgers, pizzas, sandwiches, chicken) or kept warm until sold.
No work experience directly related to the job function described.
My work experience relevant to the job function as described was performed under guidance.
My work experience relevant to the job function as described was performed independently.
- Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response)
(Open Ended Question)
- Select the answer that best describes your work experience preparing, portioning, and distributing items/ingredients for salads, sandwiches, baked goods/desserts in accordance with specific instructions; attending to the serving line station, preparing soft drinks, and maintaining the beverage station.
No work experience directly related to the job function described.
My work experience relevant to the job function as described was performed under guidance.
My work experience relevant to the job function as described was performed independently.
- Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response)
(Open Ended Question)
- Select the answer that best describes your work experience performing sanitary activities of work areas (such as scouring, cleaning, and sanitizing countertops, table tops, and chairs, kitchen equipment, and/or fixtures); kitchen serving areas, and/or storerooms (i.e., sweeping and mopping the area, assisting dish/pot room staff, removing garbage/trash from unit to approved disposal containers).
No work experience directly related to the job function described.
My work experience relevant to the job function as described was performed under guidance.
My work experience relevant to the job function as described was performed independently.
- Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response)
(Open Ended Question)
- Select the answer that best describes your work experience exhibiting effective communication skills, i.e., greeting and assisting customers; answering customer questions; communicating with customers regarding their comments, complaints, etc.; providing information to supervisors, coworkers, customers, etc.; notifying staff of problems, shortages, etc.; dealing with angry unpleasant or angry people; taking food and drink orders, checking ID cards.
No work experience directly related to the job function described.
My work experience relevant to the job function as described was performed under guidance.
My work experience relevant to the job function as described was performed independently.
- Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response.)
(Open Ended Question)
- Select the answer that best describes your work experience accurately processing payments i.e., accepting payments for purchases, computing bills using equipment such as cash register or terminal, multi-counting or adding machines, optical price scanners, calculator, pencil and paper; making change; issuing receipts, refunds, credits, and/or exchanges; processing credit or debit card transactions or validating and/or cashing checks.
No work experience directly related to the job function described.
My work experience relevant to the job function as described was performed under guidance.
My work experience relevant to the job function as described was performed independently.
- Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response.)
(Open Ended Question)