Server Assisstant/Busser | City Cruises Norfolk

Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation, with a 100-year history spanning water- and land-based experiences, ferry and transportation services, vessel maintenance, and logistics. Its portfolio includes City Experiences (dining and sightseeing cruises, walking and food tours), City Ferry (the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the U.S.), Hornblower Marine, Seaward Services, and Anchor Operating System. Operating in over 10 countries and 50 U.S. cities, Hornblower serves more than 20 million guests annually from offices in Orlando, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, Dublin, and Ontario.

About the role

The Server Assistant supports servers in delivering prompt food and beverage service, ensuring hospitality and safety while maintaining knowledge of the vessel and skyline.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional hospitality to guests.
• Clear used and unneeded dishes and glassware from tables to the galley.
• Scrape and stack dirty dishes and transport tableware to the galley for cleaning.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety of all common areas and service stations.
• Set up and break down dining rooms and service stations as prescribed.
• Provide guests with information on menu items, service order, entertainment options, cruise route, and points of interest.
• Assist with warm and efficient greeting and seating of guests upon arrival.
• Perform additional job duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must meet minimum state age requirements.
• Previous restaurant experience preferred.
• Ability to work extended periods without sitting.
• Required to lift furniture and other heavy items.
• Strong customer service, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Effectively assess situations, determine relevant issues, and suggest solutions.
• Working knowledge of computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Effectively convey written and verbal information to coworkers and guests.
• Maintain uniform and personal grooming in compliance with appearance standards.
• Availability to work nights, weekends, and all major holidays.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work onboard a moving vessel in varying weather and sea conditions, maintaining balance and stability while underway.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout a shift.
• Ability to navigate stairs, ladders, narrow passageways, and confined spaces commonly found onboard vessels.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull supplies, equipment, and inventory weighing up to 40 pounds independently.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, and perform repetitive motions as required in food service and hospitality operations.
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively during normal operations, guest service situations, and emergency procedures.
• Ability to work safely in a fast-paced environment with exposure to moving equipment, wet surfaces, temperature variations, and moderate noise levels.
• Ability to visually inspect service areas, food presentation, cleanliness standards, and safety conditions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with guests, crew members, and management in person and via radio or other communication devices.
• Successfully complete vessel-specific safety and emergency training.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts as operational needs require.

Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily onboard a Coast Guard-inspected passenger vessel, with duties split between dining, service, storage, galley-adjacent, and administrative areas.
• Requires regular movement throughout multiple decks and may involve occasional exposure to outdoor marine environments, including heat, humidity, rain, wind, and sunlight.
• Must safely perform duties while the vessel is docked or underway.