Job: Assistant Summer Food Operations
Job Description
Job Type: Seasonal, Part time, Hourly
Wage: $17-$22/hr.
Location: Buena Vista, Co.
Job Description:
HOURS: 10-30 hours/week, based on successful candidate’s availability
COMPENSATION: $17-$22/hour, based on qualifications/experience
SCHEDULE: 9:45am to 2:45pm, 2 to 6 days/week, flexible based on successful candidate’s interest
SUMMARY OF POSITION: Achieve, Inc. is a local nonprofit providing innovative opportunities for individuals with neurodivergent and mental health challenges in rural Colorado to cultivate meaningful job and life skills. The Manager/ Mentors plays a vital role in supporting this mission by coaching and guiding program participants as they gain real-world work experience in Achieve’s social enterprise food trailer. Manager/Mentors work closely with the Program Director and Executive Director to support participants in food trailer operations, fostering both job-specific and social skills that prepare them for future employment. The position is flexible and tailored to the strengths, experience, and availability of the successful candidate. Responsibilities vary based on experience and may include overseeing daily food trailer operations, mentoring participants, assisting with scheduling, and supporting overall program success. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about inclusion, workforce development, and mentorship in a hands-on, supportive environment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
A. Food Trailer Operations & Customer Experience • Provide hands-on service as needed, including preparation of food items.
• Maintain excellent customer service standards; greet and thank customers, build positive relationships, and support Achievers in doing the same.
• Support consistent product quality and timely service.
• Take orders and process payments; provide menu guidance and support dietary restrictions/customizations; coach Achievers in these tasks.
• Support opening/closing routines, daily setup/takedown, cleaning, restocking, and basic inventory tasks.
B. Training, Mentorship & Participant Development
• Provide one-on-one and small-group coaching for Achievers in job and life skills, including:
o Money-handling, order-taking, and POS system use
o Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and self-advocacy
o Customer service and workplace professionalism
• Provide timely, strengths-based feedback; support skill progression and confidence-building.
• Provide regular check-ins and performance feedback to help Achievers improve job performance and social skills.
• Coordinate with other staff and Program Director regarding participant goals, support strategies, and accommodations as needed.
C. Shift Leadership & Coverage
• When assigned, serve as shift lead and support smooth shift flow, task delegation, and customer experience.
• Provide on-shift coaching and direction to Achievers (and other team members as assigned) while modeling professionalism and a positive workplace culture.
• Maintain the ability to provide occasional back-up shift coverage for unexpected staffing gaps (e.g., illness), including occasional same-day schedule changes, in coordination with the Program Director. Back-up coverage is not expected to be routine and will be shared and planned whenever possible.
D. Admin, Cash Handling, Inventory & Compliance
• Ensure health and safety practices are followed on shift; maintain a clean, safe working environment for staff and customers.
• Operate and clean equipment and report maintenance needs promptly.
• Support accurate cash handling and end-of-shift procedures; assist with daily sales/cash reconciliation as assigned.
E. Other Duties
• Attend occasional staff meetings and trainings as needed.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES (BASED ON CANDIDATE’S INTEREST AND BACKGROUND):
• Train, supervise, and support assistant managers, mentors, volunteers, and Achievers during shifts.
• Coordinate staff schedules using the organization’s online scheduling platform (in collaboration with the Program Director and/or General Manager, as applicable).
• Order and manage food and supplies; maintain vendor relationships and par levels to ensure optimal stock availability.
• Support accurate inventory tracking and reduction of waste.
QUALIFICATIONS Education & Experience:
• Preferred: 1+ year of experience in food and beverage service.
• Post-high school education is a plus (not required), especially in teaching, special education, business, youth development, or workforce training.
Skills & Abilities:
• Strong customer service skills, including the ability to handle conflict calmly and professionally.
• Understanding of coffee preparation techniques and ability to maintain quality standards.
• Passion for mentoring neurodivergent teens and adults; ability to motivate, support, and empower Achievers.
• Clear, effective communication for engaging with Achievers, customers, and colleagues.
• Ability to coordinate multiple priorities and adapt in a dynamic, public-facing environment.
• Comfort with POS systems and basic cash-handling procedures.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information responsibly and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Required Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment:
• Working cellphone and ability to reliably access the scheduling/timekeeping system.
• Must obtain a food handler certification (or equivalent) within 30 days of hire (training/support provided by Achieve, if needed).
WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS: This position takes place in a fast-paced food trailer environment. Requirements include:
• Ability to read and interpret printed materials (such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals) and computer screens.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts and percentages; ability to balance and reconcile cash accounts.
• Hearing ability sufficient for customer interactions; noise levels are moderate.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to navigate a flight of uneven concrete stairs to access basement storage areas.
• Ability to enter and exit the food trailer, which requires stepping up and down a single step.
• Frequent standing for extended periods (45%) and walking (50%), with occasional sitting (5%).
• Occasional stooping, kneeling, balancing, reaching, crawling, or crouching and performing light physical tasks commonly associated with food service.
• Frequent hand-eye coordination for using kitchen equipment and computers.
• Mental focus for problem-solving, decision-making, and mentoring.
• Ability to manage stress related to deadlines, public interaction and interpersonal coaching.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to the Program Director and the Executive Director. Provides direct coaching and supervision to Achievers in collaboration with the Program Director.
***** Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature, level, and type of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Job descriptions are not intended to and do not imply or create any employment, compensation, or contract rights to any person or persons. Achieve, Inc. reserves the right to modify this job description as necessary.
**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “View Application” below for more detail on this specific job.