Dining Services Cook - Academic Year Work Schedule

Dining Services Cook - Academic Year Work Schedule

Augustana College

in Rock Island, IL

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Type: Full-Time

Salary: Wage Grade: 715

Posted: 07/21/2025

Category: Food Services

Company Description:

Augustana College is a nationally recognized college of the liberal arts and sciences dedicated to investing in engaged learning, maximizing student potential, and strengthening community partnerships - the guiding priorities of our Bold & Boundless Strategic Plan (2024-29). For our 2,500 students from all backgrounds, Augustana provides a transformative experience that integrates rigorous academics, hands-on learning and mentorship to prepare graduates for meaningful careers and lifelong success.

The college's scenic, wooded campus is located in Rock Island, Illinois, part of the Quad-Cities metro area (pop. 470,000) along the Mississippi River, about a 3-hour drive from Chicago. At Augustana, we seek innovative and student-centered professionals who are excited to contribute to our strategic goals of empowering students through engaged learning, leadership development and real-world experiences.

Employees at Augustana enjoy an excellent benefit package including medical, retirement, paid time off, use of campus facilities (gym, pool, wellness clinic), tuition benefits for employees and their family members, and much more.

Job Description:

Job Title: Cook

Wage Grade: 715

Status: Non-Exempt, Full-time, 12 month schedule

Reports To: Executive Chef & Assigned Facilities Manager

Overview:

This position supports Augustana College's Dining Services team as a Cook during the academic year, preparing and serving hot and cold meals for students, staff, and guests in a high-volume, team-oriented environment. The role follows the college's academic calendar, with scheduled time off during breaks and limited summer work as needed for special events or operational support.

The Cook plays a key role in ensuring meals are prepared safely, efficiently, and to a high standard of quality. Responsibilities include working from standardized recipes, supporting catering functions, adapting to dietary needs, and engaging with guests at service stations. Occasional work outside of the academic year may be required, particularly during peak summer activities or special events.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone seeking consistent, full-time work during the academic year with a predictable break schedule.

Primary Duties:

Prepares hot and cold food items for dining center service or catering events. Adapts to special requests and dietary concerns of individuals upon request.

Interacts with guests at food stations while preparing and serving foods according to the menu, providing information and soliciting feedback from guests and ensuring a high quality experience.

Works with other cooks and dining services staff to insure that production of food occurs in a timely, safe and efficient manner and meets a high standard of quality.

Records production for each shift making suggestions and/or communicating concerns on a daily basis.

Works to minimize waste of food and meets high levels of productivity.

Adheres to standardized recipes

Follows safety and sanitation standards set by state, federal and Augustana Dining Service's rules and regulations.

Works with other staff to produce necessary food products to meet deadlines.

Collaborates with team members in a positive manner to achieve Dining Service's objectives.

Assist in providing on the job training and assists in directing the work of food service staff, including students within area of assignment.

Notifies supervisor of food and supplies needed and when equipment or facilities are in need of repair.

Performs other related preparation and sanitation duties as assigned.

Works multiple stations within the Gerber Dining Center.

Performs various other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements:

Skills & Experience:

1-3 years of demonstrated experience in food preparation in a commercial setting or equivalent food service experience preferred. Minimum one year continuous employment in past position.

Ability to work with limited supervision and in collaboration with other employees.

Ability to work quickly and efficiently in a high volume, customer-oriented environment.

Outstanding service orientation and the ability to create immediate rapport with a wide variety of personalities.

Willingness and ability to work with a variety of personalities and adapt to the changing needs of the campus, including a variety of work locations.

Education: High School diploma or equivalent. Culinary training preferred.

Work Environment: This job operates in a professional food service environment. This role routinely uses commercial kitchen equipment such as rational ovens, stem kettles, bakery ovens, pizza ovens, and dish washers, along with basic office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax machines and filing cabinets.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Must be able to lift 50 pounds on a frequent basis. Also required is the ability to listen, hear, speak, read, write, climb stairs, bend, stoop, and stand for intermittently long periods of time. Must possess finger and hand dexterity for using small tools and equipment.

Expected hours of work: This position typically follows a rotating schedule of either 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. or 11:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., including weekend shifts. Shifts usually alternate weekly between morning and evening hours, with rotating weekends off when possible. Work hours are based on the operational needs of the dining department and may occasionally include other 8-hour shifts or overtime between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. to support special events, high-volume periods, or to cover staffing shortages.

Travel: Little to no travel is expected for this position.

Note: this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities are subject to change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Information:

Pay and Benefits:

This position is budgeted to pay $15.00 an hour. As a full time position, this position is eligible for our complete benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement plan with a generous company contribution, excellent paid time off/holiday benefits, tuition benefits for employees and their family members, and much more! You can learn more about our benefit programs at our Benefits website.

Augustana College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Augustana College provides equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, and any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants should provide a resume and three personal references. Review of applications will begin immediately.

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