Sous Chef

Job Type: Full time

Job Number: JR1020

Location: Main Campus

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Full Consideration Date:
02/17/2026

Job Description:

The University of Northern Iowa Dining team is known for serving the best college food in Iowa, creating a welcoming and well-maintained environment that enhances student life. From preparing meals to supporting daily operations, this dedicated group plays a vital role in campus culture-fostering connection, comfort, and community through every plate served.

Primary Function: Oversees culinary operations, ensuring high-quality food production, and maintaining compliance with established standards; develops and tests recipes; assists with menu planning; manages kitchen production; requisitions food and supplies; maintains inventory and controls meal costs; provides leadership to production and student staff through training and coaching; and ensures proper sanitation practices, labeling, and record-keeping, while also maintaining kitchen equipment and recommending capital purchases to support operational needs.

Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree plus at least one year of experience as a Sous Chef or related experience in food service operations required. An associate’s degree plus at least four years of experience as a Sous Chef or related experience in food service operations may be substituted.

Preferred Qualifications: Supervisory experience of culinary staff; experience working in a university or large volume hotel or convention center; experience with recipe creation and specification writing; large volume (300+) catering experience; experience making presentations and teaching cooking classes to students and campus community; fine dining experience; recipe testing experience; and experience using local, organic and sustainable products preferred.

Position Details:

Job Category: Professional and Scientific

Type of Position: Regular
Service Schedule: 11 Month; The service schedule for this position includes 208 scheduled workdays per fiscal year. A typical work week is Sunday-Thursday, 1:00 pm – 9:30 pm.

Application Instructions:

All application materials received by February 17, 2026, will be given full consideration. To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. The following materials must be attached when applying:

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach multiple documents when completing the application. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL required materials listed above have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 319-273-2422.

Compensation:

$20.00 to Commensurate
Pay Basis: Hourly

Pay Grade: 117

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime or comp time

Iowa enjoys a lower cost of living than many other states. See how the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area compares by utilizing the cost of living calculator. Our overall compensation package is enhanced by excellent benefits for eligible non-temporary positions. To learn more about the vibrant Cedar Valley community, visit https://livethevalley.com/.

If you would like general assistance with the application process or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Human Resource Services at [email protected] or call (319) 273-2422.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

UNI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from persons of color, women, individuals living with disabilities, and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other basis protected by federal and/or state law.

Campus Security & Crime Statistics, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, information on crime statistics for recent years, Public Safety personnel and programs, building access, reporting crimes, safety suggestions, and policies, programs, and services regarding alcohol, drugs, and sexual abuse, is available in the UNI Annual Security and Fire Report. A paper copy is available from the Department of Public Safety, 030 Gilchrist Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614. Department of Public Safety, 030 Gilchrist Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614.

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