Food & Beverage Ambassador - Part Time

Food & Beverage Ambassador

Does helping others make your day? Do you like working with children and their families? Do you feel comfortable and excited about engaging in conversations with guests? Are you interested in helping our conservation efforts? Is working in Food Services of interest to you? Santa Barbara Zoo is seeking a part-time Food & Beverage Ambassador.

Position Status: Part-Time, Regular, Hourly, Non-Exempt

Schedule: Up to 25 hours per week, including weekdays, holidays, weekends

Compensation: $16.90 per hour

Applicant must be a minimum of 16 years of age.

Summary:

Under general direction of the directors of the Food & Beverage, and the department Supervisors, the Food & Beverage Experience Ambassador facilitates a positive guest experience by performing various Kitchen duties including cleaning dishes, maintaining clean and sanitary environment, setting and clearing tables to provide a clean and tidy environment for our guests, welcoming customers, answering questions related to the menu, delivering orders, processing payments, providing excellent service and a positive guest experience to all visiting the Santa Barbara Zoo.

Essential Duties:

Restaurant, Caf, Cart:

Reports to assigned area at scheduled time

Exhibits a friendly and professional demeanor in all guest interactions

Associates with guests to share information, identify their needs, and make their experience a more personal one, providing a high level of customer service and satisfaction

Handles cash, using Point of Sale procedures

Answers phone calls promptly and professionally

Explains menu items to guests and take food orders

Serves food, beverages, or desserts to customers in variety of settings

Operates a variety of food preparation tools and equipment

Responsible for cleaning dishes to ensure that the kitchen has a steady supply of clean plates, bowls, silverware, plastic-ware, pots, pans and glasses

Prioritizes loads of different types of crockery and kitchenware, hand-washing dishes, loading the dishwasher and placing dishes to dry

Assembles, maintains and breaks down the dish machine

Busser duties include: bringing out food orders, cleaning tables, removing used trays, dishes, plates and glasses, re-setting plastic-ware/silverware, replenishing napkins containers and other condiments as needed

Wiping up water spills, food stains and dirt from tables and counters

Handling cleaning of the Food and Beverage area at the close of day as needed

Prep work

Takes garbage and trash to dumpster area as directed

Washes work areas, refrigerators, cooking equipment, walls and floors as directed

Prepares and restocks all food items and supplies as needed

Answers questions and provides a positive and fun atmosphere for guests

Ensures the Zoo's presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance are met by keeping work areas clean, picking up trash while out in Zoo, and report unsafe or unsightly conditions

Promotes positive internal communication within and between departments

Adheres to the Zoo's Core Values

Adheres to the Zoo's policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Policy Manual

Applies and Exemplifies "green" (sustainable) practices whenever possible

Takes responsibility to stay informed about happenings at the Zoo, such as reading employee communications and attending scheduled meetings when scheduled to work

Adheres to and enforces all Zoo Entrance policies, at all times

Thanks the guests for their visit and continued support of the Zoo

Keeps our Guests, Zoo family, and Animals safe by performing sanitization procedures to maintain clean, safe, and sanitized areas using specifications established by the Zoo (based on CDC, local Health Department & OSHA guidelines), while interacting with our guests and staff in an efficient and professional manner

Secondary Duties:

Assists other departments as needed

Ensures consistent productive operating practices by identifying areas for potential revenue generation, reduction of costs and more efficient procedures

Responds to emergencies quickly and follows emergency protocols

Remains calm and creates an atmosphere of calm and control for those dealing with the emergency situations

Adheres to all Zoo COVID-19 safety protocols established by the Santa Barbara Zoo and the Santa Barbara County Health Department

Performs other duties as assigned

Position Criteria:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and environmental characteristics described below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and working and physical elements required of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and Experience:

At least 16 years of age

Customer service, cash handling experience, Cash Register or Point of Sale experience preferred

Fast Food or Restaurant experience a plus

SafeServ Food Handlers Certification, or ability to pass SafeServ Certification

Authorized to work in the United States - At this time, the Zoo does not sponsor employment or internship visas

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Good verbal and communication skills

Exhibits a positive, respectful, and friendly demeanor in all guest and coworker interactions

Ability to place cases, pans, utensils and plates on both low and high shelves

Ability to respond to emergency situations to avoid endangering themselves or others

Ability to remain calm and composed in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment

Ability to successfully handle cash and cash register- after training

Self-motivated and able to work without direct supervision

Simple arithmetical calculations without the use of a calculator

Ability to exercise safe working habits

Available to work weekends and holidays, based on business needs

Bilingual language skills a plus, especially Spanish

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

Requires the ability to access all areas of the department

Must be able to participate in operational practices: includes ability to lift 15-30 lbs. occasionally in the course of regular duties, climb stairs or ladders, and manipulate basic tools of the job

Ability to stand and walk for three continuous hours and throughout work shift

Must be able to access all areas of the kitchen

Ability to drive cart safely

Ability to work effectively in a busy shared, open space work environment with constant interruptions

Ability to work in hot and damp environments, as well as outdoorsAbility to participate in Emergency Responses

Involves working indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions

Supportive, collaborative, and open employment culture

Tools Used:

Standard Commercial Kitchen Machines, Equipment and Tools

Tables, Chairs, Counters

Cash and register POS system

Clipboards, pens, and pencils

Standard office equipment

Two-way radio

Buzz Cart, Churro Cart

Sanitation supplies including, but not limited to:

Bleach or quaternary disinfecting solution

Hand sanitizer

Personal Protection Equipment

Gloves

Masks

Electric Carts

Power washer

Benefits & Perks:

Great team, beautiful grounds, amazing animal collection, sunshine & ocean view almost year-round!

Free parking, free guest passes, unlimited free tea/coffee every morning, 20% discounts on food services and retail purchases

Access to the Collabornation learning platform, professional development events, and lunch & learn opportunities