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Student Dining Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Purdue University

Part Time Lead Cashier

Hammond, IN · On-site

$15.50 - $18.75/hr

... Dining Services by providing front-line leadership to student workers and food service associates. This position oversees point-of-sale operations, ensures accuracy in daily opening and closing ...

Hasana, Inc.

Bookings Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

The pages of this glossy publication cover the latest trends in fashion, fine dining, nightlife ... Must be a full or part-time student and working toward a degree or a college graduate and have 1+ ...

Luxe Media, LLC

Ad Sales Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

The pages of this glossy publication cover the latest trends in fashion, fine dining, nightlife ... Must be a full or part-time student and working toward a degree * Must be eligible to receive ...

Hasana, Inc.

Associate Publicist

Chicago, IL

The pages of this glossy publication cover the latest trends in fashion, fine dining, nightlife ... Must be a full or part-time student and working toward a degree * Must be eligible to receive ...

Chartwells K12

FOOD UNIT LEAD (FULL TIME)

Munster, IN · On-site

$15.25 - $20.75/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 ...

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All JobsStudent Dining Associate JobsStudent Dining Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL

Student Dining Associate information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$27.8K

$145.5K

$319.9K

How much do student dining associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for student dining associate in Chicago, IL is $145,466.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,300.00 and $218,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 job categories do people searching Student Dining Associate jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Student Dining Associate jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Student Dining Associate jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Student Dining Associate job openings:
Student Dining Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Student Dining Associate job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,466 per year, or $69.9 per hour.

Part Time Lead Cashier

Purdue University

Hammond, IN • On-site

$15.50 - $18.75/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Purdue University rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 136 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

310th of 617 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Part Time Lead Cashier
City: Hammond
Job Description:
Job Summary
Purdue University Northwest's Dining Services is seeking a Part Time Lead Cashier to support the daily operations of the Dining Services by providing front-line leadership to student workers and food service associates. This position oversees point-of-sale operations, ensures accuracy in daily opening and closing procedures, and serves as the primary resource for resolving customer concerns during a shift. The Lead plays a key role in maintaining food handler compliance, supporting inventory management, and communicating operational needs to dining management.
Work hours: Approximately 19 hours/week
Benefits do not apply.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Operates and oversees Point of Sale systems, manages returns, exchanges, and voids, and ensures compliance with department policies.
  • Responsible for daily opening and closing of retail locations, including cash drawer balancing, end-of-shift reconciliation reports, and documentation of variances in accordance with Dining policies and university financial procedures.
  • Trains and provides work direction to student workers and other associates, including scheduling break coverage and modeling service standards.
  • Oversees safety and sanitation practices and communicates performance concerns to the Director of Dining Services.
  • Assists with inventory, restocks merchandise, and maintains clean, organized workstations.
  • Submits supply and product order requests to the manager.
  • Tracks par levels and communicates shortages proactively.
  • Resolves customer complaints, handles difficult situations professionally, and provides information regarding university policies.
  • Escalates unresolved issues to the manager on duty and documents incidents as required.
  • Focuses on food service transactions, meal plan usage, and maintaining food handler compliance, ensuring team members hold current food handler certifications and that ServSafe standards are followed during all service periods.

Education
  • High school diploma/GED required.
  • Some college coursework in hospitality, food service, or a related field preferred.

Experience
  • One year of cashiering or food service experience required.
  • Demonstrated supervisory or lead experience preferred.
  • Experience with PNW Dining Services is preferred.

Core Competencies
  • Strong leadership, communication, and multitasking skills.
  • Ability to coach and direct team members in a high-traffic service environment.
  • Proficiency with point-of-sale systems and cash handling procedure.
  • Must be able to push, pull, lift and carry 10 to 25 lbs. frequently, and up to 40 lbs. occasionally.

Additional Information
Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
Professional references will be verified prior to any offer of employment. Employment is contingent upon completion of successful background check.
Purdue University Northwest is an equal opportunity/equal access university.
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt

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