Barista
Job Description
Job Description
Job Description: Barista
Reports To: Cafe General Manager
Job Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt
About Us: ALMA ("soul" in Spanish and Portuguese) is a neighborhood coffeehouse built around the heart of a farmers market - rooted in community, seasonal produce from local farms and makers, and genuine hospitality. With an excellent coffee program, baked goods, savory menus, takeout, and a small beer and wine list, we aim to be a warm and welcoming spot for both locals and tourists in San Luis Obispo.
The Role: We're looking for a barista with a genuine passion for coffee, a natural warmth with guests, and the ability to stay calm and efficient during a rush. The ideal candidate is an all-things-coffee enthusiast who keeps calm under pressure, takes pride in every pour, and enjoys the rhythm and community of a neighborhood cafe.
Our three core values shape everything we do: Authenticity, Respect, & Enthusiasm.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Hospitality & Service
- Demonstrate a commitment to providing an outstanding, hospitable experience for every guest. In doing so: greet every guest with warmth; keep service friendly, efficient, and welcoming
- Take orders accurately, answer menu questions, and offer thoughtful suggestions
- Handle payments and operate the POS system with accuracy
- Serve grab and go items quickly, keeping presentation consistent and appealing
Coffee & Bar Service
- Execute drip coffee, espresso based beverages, and manual espresso machine operation with confidence and care
- Dial in espresso, pull consistent shots, and keep high standards for flavor profiles and latte art and drink presentation
- Monitor quality for every drink leaving the bar, correcting mistakes when necessary
- Stay curious and current on brewing methods, seasonal ingredients, and specialty coffee & tea trends
Cafe Operations
- Keep the counter, beverage station, and guest areas stocked, clean, and organized throughout the shift
- Have knowledge of the history & concept of the cafe and sister restaurants and be able to confidently guide guests to sister locations as opportunities arise
- Be thoroughly knowledgeable about all food and beverage menu items and successfully answer all guest inquiries about ingredients and dietary restrictions
- Restock pastries, grab and go, and retail products as needed
- Maintain stock of and prepare all syrups, cold brew, and other batch drinks
- Communicate with the kitchen to coordinate orders and keep service running smoothly
- Support teammates during busy periods (at the register, on the bar, or running food)
- Help train new team members on recipes, workflows, and hospitality standards as needed
- Complete any checklists for FOH positions and service procedures related to your shift
- Report any equipment issues or guest incidents to management promptly
- Clean and sanitize all work areas, equipment, and machinery; at all times
Required Skills and Abilities:
- Genuine hospitality: you enjoy connecting with people and making their day a little better!
- Experience in a specialty coffee environment with a strong grasp of manual espresso equipment
- A sense of urgency and strong attention to detail
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills
- Strong communication skills and a welcoming, collaborative attitude; willingness to jump in wherever needed
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage workloads with minimal direction in high volume environments
- Knowledge of various brewing methods (pour over, batch brew) and tea preparation
- Proven ability to dial in grind/extraction and produce consistent latte art
- Strong ability to prioritize and be a self-starter
- Ability to operate a POS system accurately
- Basic math skills for accurate cash handling and inventory counts
- Ability to multitask and prioritize during a rush without sacrificing quality or kindness
- Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards; food handler's card required (or willingness to obtain)
- Dependable and punctual, with a flexible schedule including early mornings, weekends, and holidays
Physical Requirements:
- High level of stamina to work on feet for extended periods (be able to work in a standing, upright position for long periods of time up to 8 hours)
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs (ex: coffee bags, milk crates, supply deliveries)
- Frequent bending, reaching, and repetitive hand and wrist motions (tamping, steaming, pouring)
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with exposure to steam, hot surfaces, and noise