Server ASSISTANT

Job Description

Job Description

A Server Assistant (often referred to as a "Busser" or "Backserver") is the engine room of a dining floor. Their primary goal is to support the service staff and ensure the dining room remains clean, organized, and efficient so that guests have a seamless experience.

## Core Responsibilities

### Table Maintenance & Turnaround

• Clearing: Swiftly removing used plates, glassware, and cutlery (pre-bussing) while guests are still dining without being intrusive.

• Resetting: Sanitizing tables and resetting them according to the restaurant’s specific layout (linens, silverware, glassware) immediately after a party leaves.

• Detailing: Ensuring condiments are full, menus are clean, and the floor surrounding the table is free of debris.

### Direct Guest Support

• Water & Bread Service: Often the first person to greet a table by pouring water or delivering bread/appetizers.

• Request Handling: Responding to immediate guest needs (extra napkins, a dropped fork, or a refill) or alerting the primary server to specific requests.

• Food Running: Assisting the kitchen by delivering hot plates to tables and ensuring the correct dish reaches the correct guest.

### Back-of-House & Sidework

• Glassware & Silverware: Polishing "spot-free" cutlery and glassware to be returned to the floor.

• Station Stocking: Keeping service stations stocked with ice, linens, straws, and coffee supplies.

• Trash Removal: Managing waste bins and ensuring the dish pit area doesn't become overwhelmed.

## Key Skills & Requirements

SkillWhy it Matters

Physical Stamina You will be on your feet for 6–8 hours, often carrying heavy trays (up to 30 lbs).

Situational Awareness "Having eyes in the back of your head" to see a mess or a guest's need before they ask.

Sense of Urgency The ability to move quickly and efficiently during a "rush" without appearing panicked.

Communication Constant coordination with the host, servers, and kitchen staff is vital.

Export to Sheets

## What Success Looks Like

A great Server Assistant is "invisible but essential." When you are doing your job perfectly, the server never has to look for a clean table, the guest never has an empty water glass, and the dining room feels effortlessly clean. It is often considered the best training ground for those looking to move up to a Lead Server or Bartender position.

The "Experience" Factor A "Live Maine Lobster" restaurant is often a destination. People visit for celebrations, anniversaries, or to give out-of-town guests a specific regional experience.
•\tPositive Atmosphere: Serving guests who are there for a special occasion often leads to a more rewarding, upbeat work environment.
•\tVisual Appeal: Managing live tanks and performing table-side cracking or presentations adds a layer of "dinner theater" that keeps the work engaging.

Company Description

The "Experience" Factor A "Live Maine Lobster" restaurant is often a destination. People visit for celebrations, anniversaries, or to give out-of-town guests a specific regional experience.\r\n•\tPositive Atmosphere: Serving guests who are there for a special occasion often leads to a more rewarding, upbeat work environment.\r\n•\tVisual Appeal: Managing live tanks and performing table-side cracking or presentations adds a layer of "dinner theater" that keeps the work engaging.