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College Cafeteria Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aerotek

Food Services Worker

Winona, MN · On-site

$16 - $17/hr

Food Services Worker This role supports a busy college cafeteria by preparing and serving lunch and dinner to students, ensuring a clean and welcoming dining area, and delivering friendly, efficient ...

Aerotek

Food Service Worker

Winona, MN · On-site

$16 - $17/hr

Food Services Worker This role supports a busy college cafeteria by preparing and serving lunch and dinner to students, ensuring a clean and welcoming dining area, and delivering friendly, efficient ...

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College Cafeteria information

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How much do college cafeteria jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for college cafeteria in the United States is $14.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $15.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a college cafeteria worker?

College cafeteria workers are staff members responsible for preparing, serving, and sometimes planning meals for students, faculty, and staff in a college or university setting. Their duties can include cooking food, maintaining cleanliness, operating cash registers, and ensuring food safety standards are met. They play a vital role in providing nutritious meal options and accommodating various dietary needs within the campus community. Additionally, cafeteria workers help create a welcoming dining environment and often interact directly with students on a daily basis.

What are some common challenges faced by staff working in a college cafeteria, and how are they addressed?

Staff in a college cafeteria often face challenges such as managing high-volume meal service during peak hours, accommodating diverse dietary restrictions, and maintaining strict food safety standards. To address these, cafeterias typically implement efficient workflow systems, ongoing training on allergen management, and clear communication among team members. Collaboration with nutritionists and frequent feedback from students also helps continuously improve service quality and menu options.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a college cafeteria worker, and why are they important?

To excel as a College Cafeteria Worker, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety regulations, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and relevant food handling certifications like ServSafe are often required. Excellent customer service, teamwork, and time management skills help create a positive dining experience and efficient workflow. These skills ensure safe food handling, smooth operations, and a welcoming environment for students and staff.

What is the difference between College Cafeteria vs Food Service Worker?

AspectCollege CafeteriaFood Service Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalentHigh school diploma or equivalent
Work EnvironmentCampus dining halls, cafeteriasRestaurants, cafeterias, catering
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, collegesFood service establishments, hospitality
Job DutiesFood prep, serving students, cleaningFood prep, serving customers, cleaning

Both roles involve food preparation and customer service in dining settings, often requiring similar credentials. However, College Cafeteria staff typically work within educational institutions serving students, while Food Service Workers may work in various food establishments, including restaurants and catering services.

How to get a job at a college cafeteria?

To get a job at a college cafeteria, applicants should check the college's employment website or visit the campus employment office for available positions. Typically, they need to submit an application, demonstrate good customer service skills, and may be required to complete food safety or sanitation training. Part-time hours and flexible schedules are common for cafeteria jobs, which often do not require prior experience.
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College Cafeteria jobs near you
Infographic showing various College Cafeteria job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $29,912 per year, or $14.4 per hour.

Cafeteria Assistant Manager - IDEA Donna (Immediate Opening)

Donna, TX • On-site

IDEA Public Schools
Education • 5 - 10K employees
Learn more about IDEA Public Schoolsexternal

$16.26/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

IDEA Public Schools rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 61 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

460th of 645 rated elementary and secondary schools

Job description

Description
Role Mission: The Cafeteria Assistant Manager assists the Cafeteria Manager in leading the CNP team at the campus level on our mission in becoming one of the healthiest school districts in the nation. They adhere to the food and nutrition standards set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and relevant state agencies. Daily and weekly, they place orders for food and supplies, monitor the quality of the food production in the kitchen and deliver on our promise to that all students getting a nutritious and appealing meal every day. Other duties include, but are not limited to: maintaining sales records, processing payments, data entry, customer service (parents and students), inventory management, and coordinating with Cafeteria Manager in making College For All a reality.
What We Offer
Compensation:
  • Compensation for this role is set at an hourly rate ranging between $16.26 for 0 years of experience and $20.33
  • This role is also eligible for a performance bonus based on team performance and goal attainment.

Other Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include:
  • Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
  • Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
  • Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.

Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, generous vacation time, referral bonuses and professional development. IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
What You Bring -- Competencies:
  • The ability to motivate, delegate, and lead a team to accomplish goals.
  • Knowledge of methods, materials, equipment, and processes used in food production and management.
  • Strong understanding of safety and sanitation practices involved with food production.
  • Has the ability to understand and interpret data (charts, graphs, etc.).
  • Can handle stress well to meet deadlines.
  • Effective organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Computer literacy with understanding of Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Excel).
  • Able to follows verbal and written direction and asks for clarification as needed.
  • Demonstrates problem solving, adaptability and flexibility.
  • Good mathematical skills and basic finance understanding.

Qualifications:
  • Education: High School Diploma or GED Required
  • Experience:
    • 2+ years in food service, restaurant, or hospitality industry required
    • Leadership experience preferred
  • License or Certification:
    • Valid Texas driver's license required
    • Valid Food Handler's Card Preferred (willing to obtain within the first 30 days)

What You'll Do - Accountabilities:
Zero follow-up findings for the campus on internal audits of counting and claiming procedures by last day of school.
  • Direct the team to execute the approved menu 100% every day
  • Ensure every student participating in the meal program takes a reimbursable meal
  • Ensure all methods of counting and claiming are compliant
  • Observe that counting and claiming is happening at time of service
  • Check that all counts of student meals are accurate
  • Enter all counts correctly into internal trackers and PrimeroEdge

Campus meets 85% retention by June 30.
  • Recruit top notch FSS and FSS Sub candidates from the area
  • Hold weekly employee huddles; topics vary between operations and nutritional matters
  • Review and submit employee's timesheets every Tuesday so employees are paid accurately every 2 weeks
  • Use the Staff Development Cycle to provide formal, timely and appropriate feedback on individual work performance and growth opportunities
  • Development of Cafeteria Assistant Manager with goal of preparing them for potential promotion to Cafeteria Manager
  • FSS with leadership potential into candidates for promotion

Campus meets budgeted participation for breakfast and lunch by the last day of school.
  • Conduct Breakfast in the Class audits with a target compliance accuracy of 100%
  • Report recipe/menu errors to the Cafeteria Manager immediately
  • Use campus parent functions (i.e. report card night, ) to speak to parents about the advantages of participating in our meal program
  • Identify students bringing lunch from home, speak to student(s), and identify the reason as to why; report findings to Cafeteria Manager

Campus meets the IDEA Healthy Kids Here standard by Nov 1 and maintains through the last day of school.
  • Refer to the HKH self-assessment checklist for recommendations and techniques
  • Promote more consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables through food preparation & display
  • Rotate milk to ensure freshest product is available to all students
  • Decorate the serving line with signage that provides both color and nutritional information that will appeal to students
  • Implement and maintain salad bar to College Prep students (where salad bars are approved

Campus meets an average "A" rating on internal operations audits with no relevant follow up findings by June 30.
  • Follow the designated menu every day; do not serve items outside our advertised menu
  • Follow established policies & procedures for a food service operation as per the state guidelines
  • Track changes in compliance and internal policies and implement as needed
  • Correct issues identified as non-compliant
  • Reach out to HQ CNP as needed for guidance in matters of finance, nutrition, and operations
  • Complete food production records daily

Supervisory Responsibilities:
  • Food Service Specialists
  • Food Service Specialist Substitutes

Learn more about IDEA
At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values
To Apply
Please submit your application online through Jobvite. It's in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.
IDEA Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the organization's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), may contact IDEA Human Resources at (956) 377-8000.

What IDEA Public Schools employees say

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IDEA Public Schools logo

About IDEA Public Schools

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools. IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report's top high schools lists. IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college. When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality.

Industry

Education

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Weslaco, TX, US

Year founded

1998

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