Job: Coffee Shop Assistant Manager
Job Description
Job Type: Full time, Part time, Hourly
Wage: $19-$22/hr.
Location: Salida, CO.
Job Description:
HOURS: 14-40 hours/week, based on successful candidate’s availability
COMPENSATION: $19-$22/hour, based on qualifications/experience (see additional benefits below)
SCHEDULE: Morning and/or afternoon shifts, 3 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. Brew & Bloom is a year-round social enterprise coffee shop that provides paid, hands-on job-skills training for program participants (“Achievers”). The Coffee Shop Assistant Manager supports day-to-day café operations and customer experience while helping train, coach, and support Achievers in job and life skills. This position is flexible and may be tailored to the strengths, experience, and availability of the successful candidate.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
A. Café Operations & Customer Experience
• Provide hands-on service as needed, including barista duties and preparation of beverages and food items (e.g., coffee, espresso drinks, teas, blended beverages; soups, sandwiches, pastries).
• 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 the Coffee Shop Manager 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 Coffee Shop Manager and/or 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 café equipment, including espresso machines, grinders, and brewers; report maintenance needs promptly.
• Support accurate cash handling and end-of-shift procedures; assist with daily sales/cash reconciliation as assigned.
• Support inventory tracking by restocking, completing inventory counts as assigned, and communicating low-stock items to the Coffee Shop Manager; may assist with ordering tasks under the Manager's direction as needed.
E. Other Duties
• Attend occasional staff meetings and trainings as needed.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience:
• Preferred: 1+ year of experience in food and beverage service (coffee shop/café preferred).
• Post-high school education is a plus (not required), especially in teaching, special education, business, youth development, or workforce training.
• Experience coaching, teaching, mentoring, or working with individuals with disabilities and/or neurodivergent individuals is strongly preferred.
Skills & Qualities:
• 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.
• Technology proficiency including email and common workplace applications (e.g., Microsoft Office).
• 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 coffee shop environment. Requirements include:
• Ability to read and interpret printed materials (e.g., safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, 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.
• Frequent standing for extended periods (approx. 45%) and walking (approx. 50%), with occasional sitting (approx. 5%).
• Occasional stooping, kneeling, balancing, reaching, crawling, crouching, and other light physical tasks commonly associated with food service.
• Frequent hand-eye coordination for using café equipment and computers.
• Mental focus for problem-solving, decision-making, and mentoring/coaching.
• Ability to manage stress related to deadlines, public interaction, and interpersonal coaching.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to the Coffee Shop Manager and works closely with the Program Director. The Executive Director provides organizational oversight and escalation support as needed. Provides on-shift coaching and supervision to Achievers in collaboration with the Coffee Shop Manager and Program Director
. BENEFITS IN ADDITION TO COMPENSATION: Benefits include accrued paid sick leave in accordance with Colorado law. For employees who work 30+ hours/week, complete 90 days of continuous employment, and maintain 30+ hours/week, Achieve provides:
• Up to 30 hours of paid vacation per year accruing at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
• $200/month employer contribution toward a health benefit account (HRA, FSA, or HSA—final plan type/details to be confirmed).
• Simple IRA with a 3% employer match. Benefits, waiting periods, and eligibility requirements are governed by Achieve policies and applicable plan documents, which may be updated from time to time.
TO APPLY: Submit resume, brief cover letter, and application (available on Achieve’s website). Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until filled.
**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.