1

Student Dining Associate Jobs in Mississippi (NOW HIRING)

Lead Cook

Perkinston, MS · On-site

$10/hr

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in culinary arts or a related field Compensation Range $10 an hour ... dining, serving up bold flavors, fresh ideas, and high-impact experiences that fuel student life.

FOOD UNIT LEAD

Biloxi, MS · On-site

$13.75 - $19/hr

... 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 4,300 schools ...

FOOD UNIT LEAD (PART TIME)

Biloxi, MS · On-site

$13.75 - $19/hr

... 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 4,300 schools ...

... 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 4,300 schools ...

... 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 4,300 schools ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Student Dining Associate job openings in Mississippi as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, and 23% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution.

DINING SERVICES DIRECTOR - POTENTIAL NEW BUSINESS

Compass Group

Indianola, MS • On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago


Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,092 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

348th of 495 rated business services


Job description

Salary: $75000 - $85000
Other Forms of Compensation: Annual Bonus Potential up to 15%
A family of companies and experiences
As the leading foodservice and support services company, Compass Group USA is known for our great people, great service and our great results. If you've been hungry and away from home, chances are you've tasted Compass Group's delicious food and experienced our outstanding service. We have over 284,000 US associates who work in award-winning restaurants, corporate cafes, hospitals, schools, arenas, museums, and more in all 50 states. Our reach is constantly expanding to shape the industry and create new opportunities for innovation. Join the Compass family today!
great people. great services. great results.
Each and every individual plays a key role in the growth and legacy of our company. We know the next big idea can come from anyone. We encourage developing and attracting expertise that differentiates us as a company as we continue to raise the bar.
Job Summary
Compass Group is seeking an energetic and innovative Director of Dining Services to lead a successful nutrition program located in the Indinola, MS area. Leading a team of passionate associates, this individual will build on an already strong foundation by driving financial performance, increasing participation, and bringing creative ideas that enhance the dining experience.
This is an outstanding opportunity for a self-motivated leader who wants to make a meaningful impact while enjoying excellent work-life balance. With a Monday-Friday daytime schedule and time off during evenings, weekends, and holidays, you'll have the chance to lead a growing program, develop a great team, and positively impact nutrition every day.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Oversees all P&L and budgeting as it pertains to the account
  • Maintains excellent relationships with the client
  • Works with the team to create nutritious, high-quality food for students
  • Implements new culinary programs in conjunction with the marketing and culinary teams
  • Acts as a liaison between Chartwells, the client, and the community
  • Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient functioning of the dining services operation

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Associate's degree in Management, Hospitality, Culinary, or Nutrition preferred; additional food service management experience
  • Three or more years of food service management experience
  • Food Service Management experience
  • Strong leadership and communication skills
  • Financial acumen with strong business intuition

Apply to Compass Group today!
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.
Compass Corporate maintains a drug-free workplace.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Associates at Corporate are offered many fantastic benefits.
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Personal Leave
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

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/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_CorpAndFoodbuy.pdf
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Req ID: 1546851
Chartwells K12
KRISTEN STROHMYER
((req_classification))

What Compass Group employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom