Dining Hall Specialist - UT Space Institute

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

Tullahoma, TN, USA

Posted on Aug 10, 2026

As a Dining Hall Specialist, you will serve as a key member of the dining team, responsible for ensuring that food service operations run smoothly and efficiently. You will assist with kitchen prep and service, salad bar setup, cash register duties, dining room presentation, and maintaining a clean, sanitary environment. Additionally, this position plays a lead role in on-campus catering during regular business hours, handling food delivery, setup, service, and cleanup for special events.

The ideal candidate is proactive, dependable, and able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. You must be a team player who takes initiative and delivers great customer service.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
As a Dining Hall Specialist, you will serve as a key member of the dining team, responsible for ensuring that food service operations run smoothly and efficiently. You will assist with kitchen prep and service, salad bar setup, cash register duties, dining room presentation, and maintaining a clean, sanitary environment. Additionally, this position plays a lead role in on-campus catering during regular business hours, handling food delivery, setup, service, and cleanup for special events.

Required Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or GED.
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and dependable transportation.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including extra hours as needed to cover absences.
  • Must pass a background check.
  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Previous experience in food service or catering is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Ability to multi-task and stay organized in a fast-paced food service environment.
  • Must be proactive, responsible, and dependable.
  • Comfortable working independently or as part of a team.
  • Strong customer service and communication skills.

Work Location

  • Location: Tullahoma, TN

  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

  • UT market range: MR03

  • Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

  • Find more information on UT Benefits here

  • This is a regular, full-time non-exempt position with excellent benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Why Join UTSI?

  • Be part of a supportive and service-driven team that helps nourish and serve the campus community.
  • Enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to support on-campus events and daily dining operations.
  • Work in a collegial environment at one of Tennessee’s premier public research institutions.

Apply today and help make every dining experience at UTSI a great one!

  • Perform a variety of kitchen and dining room duties, including food prep, salad bar maintenance, serving entrees, operating a register, and setting/cleaning tables.
  • Take the lead on catering requests during normal working hours, including setup, food delivery, service, and post-event cleanup.
  • Maintain a clean, healthy, and organized environment, following sanitation and food safety guidelines.
  • Work closely with other dining staff to ensure that every guest has a positive and welcoming experience.
  • Follow standard operating procedures and report any issues to the supervisor.
  • Assist with food inventory, meal planning, and kitchen support tasks as needed.
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