Front of House Assistant

Poway Center For The Performing Arts Customer Service Position

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts is gearing up for the 2026-27 season! From September through June, our first-class performance space is packed with mainstage professional artists, community-based productions, and educational theatre, music, and dance. We're looking for experts in customer service and can provide excellent training to those new to theatre.

Join our team today and be an exciting part of celebrating the arts year after year!

This part-time, temporary, at-will position, under general supervision, provides customer service to rental clients and patrons at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the form of event supervision, concessions/bar sales, safety, and general assistance. Manages cash and inventory for concessions and bar. Maintains the general cleanliness and organization of the concessions, bar and lobby areas. Receives immediate direction from the Front of House Coordinator or assigned supervisor. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Key Responsibilities

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Provides responsible customer service in operating the concession booth/bar for the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.
• Performs cashiering duties; receives money and issues receipts; performs daily reconciliation of cash drawer and inventory; opens and closes safe; participates in generating reports; maintains accurate records.
• Maintains concession, front of the house areas, storage sites, and other work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing inventory and materials at the close of the workday.
• Provides event supervision, including meeting with rental client to review client needs and policies, meeting with volunteer ushers to review customer service, safety and evacuation procedures, and overseeing seating of patrons.
• Assists patrons in person and over the telephone; responds to complaints and requests for information; assists in interpreting and applying regulations, policies, procedures, systems, rules, and precedents in response to inquiries and complaints from public as necessary.
• Monitors use of the theatre by user groups to ensure a safe environment; assists in enforcing established rules of facility use and participant conduct.
• Opens, closes, and secures building for events.
• May provide technical or functional direction and training to event staff and volunteers.
• Coordinates the safe evacuation of the theatre and lobby areas during an emergency.
• Sets up, assembles, and takes down equipment for the front of house activities and community events.
• Assists in purchasing and maintaining inventory controls of concession supplies and materials.
• Maintains attendance and punctuality that is observant of scheduled hours on a regular basis.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements/License or Certificates Required

Any combination of the following education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this classification.

Experience: One year of customer service experience, which is the equivalent of 999 hours for this specific position. Experience working in front of house operations and/or food and beverage concessions is desirable.

Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade. Additional training beyond completion of the 12th grade is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

• A valid class C driver's license or the ability to arrange alternate and timely means of transportation in the performance of assigned duties.
• Within five months of appointment, as a condition of employment, satisfactory completion of First Aid and CPR/AED certificates are required.
• Food Handler's Card issued by the California Department of Health Services (DHS) is desirable.
• Licensee on Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) Certificate issued by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is desirable.

Physical Demands Must possess mobility to work in a standard theatre and office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.

This is primarily an event management classification although standing in work areas for extended periods of time and walking between work areas is required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office and duplicating equipment and cash register. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Environmental Elements Employees work in an enclosed theatre and office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Other Requirements Incumbents in this classification are required to be age 21 or older to serve alcoholic beverages at the Theatre's bar.

Working Conditions May be required to work various shifts including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Examination Process

A FULLY COMPLETED APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS ARE PART OF THE REVIEW PROCESS. QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED COMPLETELY; REFERENCING YOUR RESUME IN LIEU OF ANSWERING A QUESTION WILL BE CAUSE FOR DISQUALIFICATION. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of relevant training and experience as presented in the application and supplemental questions. The following criteria will be used in the screening process: Writing Skills (grammar, spelling, and punctuation from the application and supplemental questions) - suitable and appropriate for position; Work Experience - consistent, compatible and applicable for the position; and Supplemental Questions - content is inclusive and congruent with the position. The process may include interviews and/or performance tests. A background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, tuberculosis screening, and reference checking are required. Applicants will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. The City of Poway participates in E-Verify. All employees are required by law to sign a loyalty oath to the United States and the State of California Constitution at time of hire.

Benefits

An employee who is classified in a temporary status is not entitled to benefits other than those mandated by federal law. These benefits include paid sick leave (PSL) as well as participation in Medicare, Worker's Compensation, and the Public Agency Retirement Service Alternate Retirement System.

Sick Leave - In accordance with the Healthy Workplace, Healthy Family Act of 2014 (i.e., AB 1522) all non-regular, temporary, seasonal, paid interns, and on-call employees will receive 24 hours of paid sick leave (PSL) upon hire. PSL will be available for use beginning on each employee's 90th day of employment. Thereafter, in each pay period that includes July 1, employees will receive a new 24 hour lump-sum of PSL. Any remaining PSL hours will not carry over.