1

Student Dining Associate Jobs in Pennsylvania (NOW HIRING)

Dietary Aide

Glen Mills, PA ยท On-site

$16/hr

Dining Associate Location: Maris Grove by Erickson Senior Living We are hiring a team & service ... Education assistance, certification reimbursement, and student loan refinancing partnership ...

Position requires professional and helpful interaction with fellow dining associates, students, faculty, staff, visitors, and other campus constituents. * Prepare vegetables for sizzle station ...

New

Cook (Part-Time)

Swarthmore, PA ยท On-site

$13.75 - $18.50/hr

... draws students from around the nation and world. The 425acre campus is a designated arboretum ... As a member of the Dining Services department, the Culinary Associate will work in any of the ...

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 cities in Pennsylvania are hiring for Student Dining Associate jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Student Dining Associate job openings in Pennsylvania as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Dietary Aide

Erickson Senior Living

Glen Mills, PA โ€ข On-site

$16/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

Dining Associate

Location: Maris Grove by Erickson Senior Living

We are hiring a team & service-oriented Dining Associate to provide exceptional service to our wonderful residents and guests. In this role, you are responsible for the overall efficiency of the dining room and pantry while providing service that aligns with the Erickson Senior Living Mission, Vision, and Values.

Full Time and Part Time position available.

Compensation: Starts at $16.00 per hour, commensurate with experience.

How you will make an impact:

  • Greet and welcome residents when they arrive at the restaurant.
  • Ensures the flow of the restaurant by working with the seaters, enabling the servers and back of the house to work efficiently and effectively.
  • Assist with preparation, stocking, serving, and post-meal clean-up.
  • Ensure adequate nutritional intake for all residents
  • Answer telephones professionally and follow up with requests.
  • Maintains front of the house and kitchen sanitation
  • Assists in the training of the wait staff.

What we offer:

  • Quality of life โ€“ most of our restaurant's employees' are out before 9pm!
  • Competitive benefits packages including medical, dental, vision, and PTO in accordance with applicable state law..
  • 401k for all employees 18 and over. Company contribution up to 3% once eligible.
  • Onsite medical centers, providing wellness visits and sick care for all employees over 18 years of age.
  • Education assistance, certification reimbursement, and student loan refinancing partnership programs are available.
  • State of the art kitchens, top of the line equipment
  • Discounted meals in our restaurants
  • Gated community with 24/7 security
  • Free onsite parking at all of our communities and corporate offices
  • A culture of diversity and inclusion, which builds on our values, vision, and mission.

What you will need:

  • Six months of experience in a food service environment is preferred.
  • Must be able to read, write, understand and communicate in the English Language.
  • Ability to safely lift or move up to 50 pounds.
  • Flexible with schedule, available to work some weekends and holidays.

Maris Grove is a beautiful 87-acre continuing care retirement community in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. We're part of a growing national network of communities managed by Erickson Senior Living, one of the country's largest and most respected providers of senior living and health care. Maris Grove helps people live better lives by fulfilling our promises of a vibrant lifestyle, financial stability, and focused health and well-being services for those who live and work with us. As part of our team, you'll enjoy flexibility and work-life balance to meet your personal and professional goals, and we are committed to providing you with opportunities to learn and grow.

Erickson Senior Living, its affiliates, and managed communities are Equal Opportunity Employers and are committed to providing a workplace free of unlawful discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, veteran status, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.