Seasonal Cafe Associate - Rapid Progression

Title: Seasonal Café Associate

Location: Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ

Reports to: Event and Development Manager

Status: Part Time, Seasonal, Non-Exempt

Located in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, Duke Farms is a leader in environmental stewardship and inspires visitors to become informed stewards of the land. It is a place of education, enjoyment and research that enhances the environmental health of the region. Through the beauty of its natural setting, the diversity of its wildlife, and the scope and quality of its educational programs, demonstrations and research, Duke Farms inspires people to transform their approach to conservation and to start building a more sustainable future.

As a center of the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF), Duke Farms advances the foundation’s mission to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future by investing in artists and the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research, child well-being and greater mutual understanding among diverse communities. In addition to Duke Farms, DDF operates five national grantmaking programs as well as Shangri La, a center for engagement with Islamic arts and cultures. DDF’s activities are guided by the will of Doris Duke, who endowed the foundation with financial assets that currently total over $2 billion. (To learn more about the foundation, visit dorisduke.org.)

Duke Farms restores nature and ecosystems, demonstrates equitable climate transition strategies, and engages leaders and visitors with the wonder of nature and the power to spark change. Our wide-ranging sustainability efforts include the operation of a 1,000-acre park and associated infrastructure supporting over 200,000 public visitors a year.

POSITION

Working alongside the Consultant Chef and the Event and Development Manager, the Café Associate plays a pivotal role in enhancing the visitor experience at Duke Farms by offering exceptional service and preparing and serving locally sourced seasonal food. This role is of increasing importance as the Farm Barn Café moves from being solely a convenient food option for visitors to a destination restaurant for people interested in eating high-quality seasonal food that is locally sourced. In so doing, the café will further the mission of Duke Farms by educating and inspiring visitors to “taste” the benefits of local food systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Customer engagement: Greet and assist customers in a friendly and professional manner.

• Order management: Efficiently take and process customer orders accurately and efficiently.

• Food and beverage preparation: Prepare and serve beverages and food items according to café standards, showcasing the quality and freshness of local ingredients.

• Financial transactions: Operate cash registers and handle transactions with accuracy, maintaining financial integrity.

• Cleanliness and organization: Maintain cleanliness and organization of the café, including cleaning tables, counters and equipment, to ensure a pleasant environment for guests and staff.

• Inventory management: Restock supplies and ensure adequate inventory levels.

• Health and safety compliance: Follow food safety and sanitation guidelines at all times, ensuring the health and safety of our customers and team members.

• Collaboration: Work together with other team members to ensure smooth café operations and customer satisfaction.

• Customer service: Provide exceptional customer service and address customer inquiries or concerns promptly, always striving to exceed expectations.

• Professional standards: Adhere to foundation policies and procedures regarding dress code, punctuality and conduct, promoting a positive workplace culture.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid ServSafe Food Handler Certificate required, and a knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.

• Experience with or willingness to learn about Duke Farms’ mission of conservation and supporting sustainable, seasonal eating.

• Experience in customer service, preferably in a café or restaurant setting.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.

• Flexibility to work various shifts, including evenings, weekends and holidays.

• Familiarity with demands of a busy kitchen during peak meal service times.

• Ability to prepare food and beverages to standard recipes or customized for customers, including recipe changes such as temperature, quantity of ingredients or substituted ingredients.

• Ability to take direction but also take initiative (within guidelines) and follow through independently.

• Ability to traverse the 2,700-plus-acre Duke Farms property as well as travel to other locations indoors, outdoors and under various weather conditions.

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.

• Valid driver’s license.

COMPENSATION and BENEFITS

• Anticipated starting hourly rate is $15.50, with the final offer depending on experience.

• 15% employer contribution to 401(k).

OUR VALUES

The following values underpin everything we do in pursuit of our mission across the Doris Duke Foundation:

Integrity: We must be honest and ethical in all that we undertake. As a private foundation, we are accountable to the many stakeholders affected by our work.

Excellence: We will insist on the highest standards of performance in fulfilling our mission, will ground our work in best practices and will make decisions based on the best available information.

Openness and Imagination: We will be listening and learning organizations that are responsive to ideas and opinions from a variety of sources. We value imagination and creativity, the ability to think in new ways about the work we do and how we do it.

Collaboration: We value a collaborative and supportive environment in which to advance our mission and objectives. Creating a working environment that promotes trust, honesty and respect within our organizations is as important as earning the trust and respect of our colleagues and peers in the fields in which we work.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We believe in the essential value that a diverse set of perspectives, experiences and abilities brings to the table. Our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice is an ongoing, active engagement reflected in our funding areas, grantees, museums, centers, board and staff. At the core of our work is a dedication to serving and learning from organizations and individuals addressing inequities and working toward a more just, healthy and inclusive society. (Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and how we incorporate this value into our work.)

The Doris Duke Foundation is committed to inclusive hiring and equal employment opportunity. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations and communities to apply. Our recruiting and employment practices adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. We provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation in the job application process is needed, please contact us here.