Senior Barista - PT

Location: Fairfax, VA (2937)

Classification: Part-Time

About the Role

A Barnes & Noble bookstore is a gathering place for readers and the community. As a Senior Barista, you are an integral member of the team at the heart of our Cafés. In this role, you have mastered key barista behaviors and skills, genuinely welcoming customers to discover and taste our curated offerings. You create a hospitable environment for customers to relax and enjoy our bookstores while fostering a sense of community. You also mentor new Baristas, helping them provide a knowledgeable and great experience for customers.

Behaviors

• Always cheerful with customers, consistently going out of your way to help them.
• Supportive and considerate of colleagues, assisting others on the team and showing kindness.
• Positive and willing in your approach to work, performing tasks with purpose and energy.
• Demonstrate aptitude and willingness to learn new skills and acquire knowledge.
• Maintain reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts.
• Flexible and responsive to store needs, including filling scheduling gaps (open early mornings to late evenings, including weekends and holidays).
• Curious and ambitious, with a desire to continuously learn and develop a café or bookselling career.
• Act as a resource for baristas, addressing concerns and escalating issues to leadership.
• Enjoy being a barista and demonstrate enthusiasm for the role.

Responsibilities

• Master operational competencies, including using varied technology (registers, computers, tablets, programs) comfortably and troubleshooting routine issues.
• Maintain counter and floor retail fixtures through effective merchandising and visual presentation, keeping the Café neat and tidy.
• Utilize strong merchandising skills to maintain a full and vibrant bake case.
• Operate an efficient and quick register, taking orders competently to serve customers promptly while assisting other baristas.
• Support receiving and unpacking deliveries, following First In, First Out (FIFO) practices.
• Make suggestions on food and beverage products and pairings to enhance customer experience.
• Master drink making and food preparation using approved recipes and spec sheets.
• Maintain Café cleanliness through daily and weekly cleaning tasks.
• Support the bookfloor team willingly and effectively when needed.
• Understand loss prevention procedures, use de-escalation techniques, and identify theft or problematic behavior.

This role requires physical activity, including prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and walking. You may also be asked to work in other stores if needed.

Skills

• Use café knowledge of beverages, bakery, and savory items to create an enjoyable dining experience.
• Maintain visual presentation of café retail offerings (Harney Tea, Starbucks Coffee, Grab-n-Go, Drinkware, etc.) to offer options to customers.
• Educate baristas on proper beverage preparation to satisfy customers.
• Understand and use café training tools appropriately.
• Communicate key sales objectives and company initiatives (e.g., promotions, Membership) confidently with customers and colleagues.
• Make effective food and beverage customizations and recommendations.
• Maintain backstock effectively and support proper ordering.
• Adhere to café safety, hygiene, sanitation guidelines, and procedures.

As you develop and demonstrate mastery of these skills, you are expected to advance in the career path, taking on new challenges and growth opportunities. Compliance with all company policies and procedures is required.

Benefits

• Less than 20 hours per week: Employee Discount, EAP, and Sick Pay.
• 20–29.99 hours per week: Employee Discount, EAP, Sick Pay, Paid Time Off (including paid Maternity and Parental Leave), Company Paid Holidays, Transit, and 401(k) with Company Match.
• 30+ hours per week: Employee Discount, EAP, Sick Pay, Paid Time Off (including paid Maternity and Parental Leave), Company Paid Holidays, 401(k) with Company Match, Comprehensive Health Benefits (Medical, Dental, and Vision), Healthcare and Dependent Care Spending Accounts, Healthcare Spending Account, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Transit, and Tuition Reimbursement.

All benefits are provided in accordance with the terms of the current plan and may be subject to future change. Benefits may vary depending on location and state regulations.

Pay

An employee in this position can expect an hourly rate starting at $19.50, depending on experience, seniority, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law.