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Food Service Assistant Jobs in Riverside, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Food Service Assistant information

See Riverside, IL salary details

$9

$16

$25

How much do food service assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for food service assistant in Riverside, IL is $16.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.52 and $18.37 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Food Service Assistants?

Food Service Assistants are professionals who support the preparation, serving, and cleaning processes in food establishments such as restaurants, cafeterias, schools, and hospitals. Their responsibilities typically include preparing ingredients, serving food, cleaning dining and kitchen areas, restocking supplies, and ensuring food safety and hygiene standards are met. They work as part of a team to ensure smooth food service operations and a positive dining experience for customers.

What are some common challenges faced by Food Service Assistants, and how can they be managed effectively?

Food Service Assistants often work in fast-paced environments where multitasking and time management are crucial. One common challenge is handling peak meal times while maintaining quality and safety standards. Effective communication with kitchen staff and servers helps ensure smooth operations. Staying organized, adhering to hygiene protocols, and being adaptable to sudden changes—like menu adjustments or special dietary requests—are key to managing these challenges successfully.

What is the difference between Food Service Assistant vs Kitchen Helper?

AspectFood Service AssistantKitchen Helper
CredentialsMay require food safety certificationOften no formal certification needed
Work EnvironmentCustomer-facing, dining areasKitchen, food prep areas
Employer & IndustryRestaurants, cafeterias, cateringRestaurants, institutional kitchens
Common Search IntentCustomer service, serving foodFood prep, cleaning

While both roles support food service operations, a Food Service Assistant primarily interacts with customers and serves food, often requiring food safety certifications. In contrast, a Kitchen Helper focuses on food prep and kitchen cleaning tasks without direct customer contact. Both roles are essential in food service environments but differ in responsibilities and work settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Food Service Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Service Assistant, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and food hygiene certifications such as ServSafe are typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and excellent customer service skills help you stand out in this role. These skills ensure efficient operations, maintain food safety standards, and deliver a positive dining experience for customers.

What Is a Food Service Assistant?

A food service assistant helps with the planning, preparing, and serving of meals in a restaurant or other organization that serves food. They may work in schools, hospitals, and assisted living facilities. Job duties may include planning meals, preparing food, delivering food to customers, managing stock, maintaining supplies, cleaning the kitchen and service areas, and running the cash register. There are no educational requirements to become a food service assistant, but many vocational schools and community colleges offer courses in the food service industry. Some state their food service careers in this entry-level position and seek promotions as they gain experience.

More about Food Service Assistant jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Food Service jobs in Riverside, IL? The most popular types of Food Service jobs in Riverside, IL are:
What cities near Riverside, IL are hiring for Food Service Assistant jobs? Cities near Riverside, IL with the most Food Service Assistant job openings:
Food Service Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Service Assistant job openings in Riverside, IL as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 50% Full Time, 47% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,986 per year, or $16.8 per hour.
Food Service Assistant

Food Service Assistant

Rush Oak Park Hospital

Oak Park, IL

$16.48 - $23.28/hr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Location: Oak Park, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Oak Park

Hospital: Rush Oak Park Hospital

Department: Food and Nutrition Services

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0. 9 and 1. 0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (6:30:00 AM - 3:00:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

Pay Range: $16.48 - $23.28 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary:
Responsibilities includes patient facing food service on assigned units, cashier duties, food handling, dish room and sanitation. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Other information:
Required Job Qualifications:
•Will train on the job.
•Interpersonal skills with the ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail necessary.
•Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
•Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
•Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to patients, families and associates of the organization.
•Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure.
•Basic computer skills.
•Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, or oral form.
•Ability to deal with problems and offer solution
Preferred Job Qualifications:
•Previous food service experience
•High school graduate or G.E.D.
Physical Demands:
•Ability to work in a fast pace environment.
•Ability to bend, kneel, lift up to 25#, if necessary.

Responsibilities:
•Takes patients menu selections prior to each meal, complies with dietary restrictions on special modified diets in accordance with food allergies and
sensitivities, cultural, ethnic and religious preferences, when patient inquires or needs additional selections.
•Communicates and practices patient safety goals and patient confidentiality.
•Utilizes equipment in performing job functions according to department’s safety procedures.
•Assists in daily cleaning operations as needed to include dish room duties to ensure all necessary service ware is available for next meals service.
•Required to participate and attends departmental meetings and staff development programs.
•Exhibits pleasant and cheerful demeanor and maintains a helpful attitude towards employees, physicians, patients, and visitors.
•Maintains sanitation standards of the department including disposal of waste in the proper manner, sweeping and mopping floors, cleaning food service
equipment.
•Merchandises, portions and serves food and meals as directed to patients, customers and guests.
•Operates cash register and collects money for food sold in retail services.
•Maintains records, logs and reports as assigned.
•Attends departmental and hospital wide in-services as assigned.
•Adheres to departmental, hospital and regulatory agency standards.
•Assigned duties may change frequently based on the needs of the operation.
•Orders, receives, assembles, and prepares, portions, serves, transports and stores food and food service supplies in accordance with protocol. Performs
cashier, sanitation and trash removal functions as assigned.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

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