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Student Dining Associate Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Manager

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

$21 - $25/hr

... dining service operations. Manage the activities of student and bargained-for staff engaged in ... Associate's degree in Business, Food Service Management, or Culinary Arts from an accredited ...

Assistant Manager

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

$53K - $57K/yr

... dining service operations. Manage the activities of student and bargained-for staff engaged in ... Associate's degree in Business, Food Service Management, or Culinary Arts from an accredited ...

Showing results 41-60

Student Dining Associate information

What is a student dining associate?

Student Dining Associates are students who work part-time in campus dining facilities, assisting with tasks such as food preparation, serving, cashiering, and maintaining cleanliness in dining areas. They help ensure that the dining operations run smoothly and provide quality service to fellow students and staff. This role often offers flexible hours to accommodate students' class schedules and provides valuable work experience in customer service and teamwork.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a student dining associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Student Dining Associate, you need basic food handling knowledge, customer service skills, and the ability to follow safety and sanitation guidelines, often requiring completion of food safety training. Familiarity with point-of-sale systems, dishwashers, and kitchen equipment is typically expected. Strong teamwork, reliability, and communication skills help you interact effectively with coworkers and customers. These capabilities ensure efficient operations, high-quality service, and a safe dining environment.

What are some common challenges faced by student dining associates, and how can they be managed effectively?

Student Dining Associates often encounter challenges such as managing high-volume meal times, multitasking between food preparation and serving, and maintaining cleanliness under time constraints. Effective time management and clear communication with team members are essential to ensure smooth operations. Many dining facilities provide on-the-job training and encourage teamwork, making it easier to adapt and succeed even during busy shifts. Seeking feedback and being open to learning can also help you grow and handle these challenges more confidently.

What is the difference between Student Dining Associate vs Food Service Worker?

AspectStudent Dining AssociateFood Service Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; no formal certification neededHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification may be preferred
Work EnvironmentSchool cafeterias, college dining hallsRestaurants, cafeterias, catering services
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, universitiesFood service establishments, hospitality industry
Common TasksServing food, cleaning dining areas, assisting studentsPreparing food, serving customers, cleaning workstations

Both roles involve food service in institutional settings, but Student Dining Associates typically work in school environments assisting students and maintaining dining areas, while Food Service Workers often work in broader food establishments with more food preparation responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Student Dining jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Student Dining jobs in Michigan are:

What job categories do people searching Student Dining Associate jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Student Dining Associate jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Student Dining Associate jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Student Dining Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Student Dining Associate job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 32% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

EXECUTIVE CHEF - Airport Community Schools, Carleton, MI

Carleton, MI • On-site

Compass Group
Catering • 10K+ employees

$60K - $68K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Oversee daily kitchen operations, including menu development, food quality, and staff training.

  • Train kitchen staff in food preparation, equipment operation, and safety protocols.

  • Manage inventory, ensure compliance with health and sanitation regulations, and participate in departmental meetings and staff development activities.


Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,101 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Position Title: EXECUTIVE CHEF II - Airport Community Schools, Carleton, MI 

Reports To: Director of Dining Services

Salary:  $60,000 - $68,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Medical, dental & vision insurance, PTO, 401K 

Chartwells K12's goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent. For more information, visit www.ChartwellsK12.com.

This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the 'job search' in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on 'referral tracking.' For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email MyReferral@compass-usa.com. 

Job Summary

Airport Community Schools in Carleton, MI is seeking a hands-on Executive Chef to lead culinary operations serving approximately 2,800 students across eight school buildings. Reporting to the Director of Dining Services, this role oversees menu development, food quality, staff training, and daily kitchen operations while assisting to lead and train a team of approximately 30 frontline associates. Partnering closely with district and Chartwells leadership, the Executive Chef will help create fresh, engaging dining experiences that drive student participation and satisfaction.

In addition to daily operations, the Executive Chef will oversee catering and special events, support menu innovation, train and develop staff, and help bring Chartwells signature programs such as Mood Boost, Global Eats, Student Choice, Discovery Kitchen, and Nutrition "Game On" to life. The ideal candidate is a strong culinary leader who enjoys coaching teams, elevating food quality, and creating memorable dining experiences in a K-12 environment that offers excellent work-life balance with a predominantly Monday through Friday schedule.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develops regular and specialty menus in line with K12 standards, ensuring adherence to portioning and presentation guidelines. 
  • Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, equipment operation, and safety protocols, promoting a culture of excellence.
  • Establishes and maintains thorough cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment and work areas.
  • Handles inventory of food and supplies, optimizing utilization while ensuring vital products are readily available. 
  • Ensures compliance with health and sanitation regulations through meticulous adherence to department procedures and participation in audits.
  • Actively participates in departmental meetings, staff development initiatives, and professional programs to stay abreast of industry trends.
  • Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient functioning of a dining service operation.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Associate's degree highly desired or equivalent experience in culinary arts.
  • 5+ years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, with catering experience preferred.
  • Proven success in high-volume, complex foodservice operations, with a solid base in institutional and batch cooking.
  • Hands-on chef experience is critical, accompanied by extensive knowledge of food trends, emphasizing quality, production, sanitation, cost control, and presentation.
  • Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Office suite and email systems.
  • Willingness to actively engage in client satisfaction programs and activities.
  • ServSafe certification is highly desirable, highlighting a commitment to food safety.
     

Apply to Chartwells Schools today!

Chartwells Schools is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

 

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. 

Chartwells K-12 maintains a drug-free workplace.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Associates at Chartwells K-12 are offered many fantastic benefits.

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_ChartwellsK12.pdf

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/ 

Req ID:  1564547

Chartwells K12 

KRISTEN STROHMYER

 [[req_classification]] 


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