Food & Beverage Ambassador - Part Time

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. Note: Applicant must be a minimum of 16 years of age. Position Status: Part-Time, Regular, Hourly, Non-Exempt Schedule: Up to 25 hours per week, evening shifts 4pm to 9:30pm Compensation: $16.90 per hour You must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position* 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, Café, Cart: Reports to assigned area at scheduled time Exhibits a friendly and professional demeanor in all guest interactionsAssociates with guests to share information, identify their needs, and make their experience a more personal one, providing a high level of customer service and satisfactionHandles cash, using Point of Sale procedures Answers phone calls promptly and professionallyExplains menu items to guests and take food ordersServes food, beverages, or desserts to customers in variety of settingsOperates a variety of food preparation tools and equipmentResponsible for cleaning dishes to ensure that the kitchen has a steady supply of clean plates, bowls, silverware, plastic-ware, pots, pans and glassesPrioritizes loads of different types of crockery and kitchenware, hand-washing dishes, loading the dishwasher and placing dishes to dryAssembles, maintains and breaks down the dish machineBusser 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 neededWiping up water spills, food stains and dirt from tables and countersHandling cleaning of the Food and Beverage area at the close of day as neededPrep workTakes garbage and trash to dumpster area as directedWashes work areas, refrigerators, cooking equipment, walls and floors as directedPrepares and restocks all food items and supplies as neededAnswers questions and provides a positive and fun atmosphere for guestsEnsures 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 conditionsPromotes positive internal communication within and between departmentsAdheres to the Zoo’s Core ValuesAdheres to the Zoo’s policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Policy ManualApplies and Exemplifies “green” (sustainable) practices whenever possibleTakes responsibility to stay informed about happenings at the Zoo, such as reading employee communications and attending scheduled meetings when scheduled to workAdheres to and enforces all Zoo Entrance policies, at all timesThanks the guests for their visit and continued support of the ZooKeeps 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 neededEnsures consistent productive operating practices by identifying areas for potential revenue generation, reduction of costs and more efficient proceduresResponds to emergencies quickly and follows emergency protocolsRemains calm and creates an atmosphere of calm and control for those dealing with the emergency situationsAdheres to all Zoo COVID-19 safety protocols established by the Santa Barbara Zoo and the Santa Barbara County Health DepartmentPerforms 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 preferredFast Food or Restaurant experience a plusSafeServ Food Handlers Certification, or ability to pass SafeServ CertificationAuthorized 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 skillsExhibits a positive, respectful, and friendly demeanor in all guest and coworker interactionsAbility to place cases, pans, utensils and plates on both low and high shelvesAbility to respond to emergency situations to avoid endangering themselves or othersAbility to remain calm and composed in a fast-paced, high-pressure environmentAbility to successfully handle cash and cash register- after trainingSelf-motivated and able to work without direct supervisionSimple arithmetical calculations without the use of a calculatorAbility to exercise safe working habitsAvailable to work weekends and holidays, based on business needsBilingual language skills a plus, especially Spanish Physical Demands & Work Environment: Requires the ability to access all areas of the departmentMust 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 jobAbility to stand and walk for three continuous hours and throughout work shiftMust be able to access all areas of the kitchenAbility to drive cart safelyAbility to work effectively in a busy shared, open space work environment with constant interruptionsAbility to work in hot and damp environments, as well as outdoorsAbility to participate in Emergency ResponsesInvolves working indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions Supportive, collaborative, and open employment culture Tools Used: Standard Commercial Kitchen Machines, Equipment and ToolsTables, Chairs, CountersCash and register POS system Clipboards, pens, and pencilsStandard office equipmentTwo-way radioBuzz Cart, Churro CartSanitation supplies including, but not limited to:Bleach or quaternary disinfecting solution Hand sanitizerPersonal Protection EquipmentGlovesMasksElectric 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 purchasesAccess to the Collabornation learning platform, professional development events, and lunch & learn opportunitiesYou must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position* Please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see an email response from the Zoo. This job description is representative of the expectations of the position described. Additional duties, reporting relationships, and/or position criteria may be assigned as deemed necessary by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative. No changes to this job description shall be made without written permission by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative. The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description does not constitute a contract for employment, and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time. The job description does not in any way alter the at-will employment relationship. At this time, the Zoo does not sponsor employment or internship visas.