Backwaiter

Shelburne Farms; Shelburne (VT); On-site; USD 9,643 - 11,020; Full time

Job summary

Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, VT seeks a Seasonal Farm Food & Beverage Assistant to support dining operations. You will greet guests, ensure the dining area is welcoming and well‑stocked, and assist with service and event setup. This role requires flexibility to cover breakfast and dinner shifts during the season.

The position is hourly, non-exempt, with start July 5 and end October 20, and pays $7–$8 per hour DOE. Onsite work, with potential for both full-time and part-time hours.

Qualifications

• Experience in hospitality or food service preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced seasonal environment.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs and move items safely.
• Willingness to work 2–4 shifts per week, including dinners and breakfasts.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests, provide water and bread, and keep tables well-set.
• Coordinate with servers to run food from kitchen to tables.
• Maintain a clean pantry, dining room, and serving area.
• Know the menu and daily specials; report issues to Floor Manager.
• Assist with setup/breakdown of dining room and events.

Skills

Customer service

Hospitality

Teamwork

Flexibility

Tools

POS system

Job description

Who We Are

Shelburne Farms is an education nonprofit on a mission to inspire and cultivate learning for a sustainable future. We offer transformative learning experiences to help educators and students create a better world. Our home campus is a 1,400‑acre working farm located on the traditional, unceded and contemporary homelands of the Winooskik band of the Abenaki.

Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Shelburne Farms recognizes that justice, equity, and access are central to sustainability. We are committed to translating these values into action across the organization by improving equitable outcomes in our culture, programs, and services. Shelburne Farms is working to create experiences of belonging for all, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, and people of all economic realities.

Supervisor: Farm Food and Beverage Services Manager

Employee Status: Seasonal, Full-Time & Part-Time hours

Exemption: Hourly, Non-Exempt

Start & End Date: July 5 – October 20 (required onboarding & training in late April and early May)

Pay Rate: $7‑$8/Hour DOE

Work Schedule: 2‑4 shifts/week. Both dinner and breakfast shifts are available.

What You’ll Do

• Work in coordination with other restaurant team members to guarantee excellent service to all guests. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following tasks:
  • Greeting guests and providing them with water and bread during their meal.
  • Maintaining the guest’s table to ensure that the guest has appropriate flatware, glassware, etc., is free of crumbs and other debris, and is set with appropriate flatware for next courses.
  • Work in coordination with servers and others to run food from the kitchen to the guest’s table.
• At all times provide for a pleasant, hospitable environment for guests and fellow staff members.
• Maintain a clean and organized pantry, dining room, and serving area.
• Knowledge of the menu and specials for the day.
• Alert the Floor Manager of any issues that may arise with dining guests.
• Complete side work as assigned for your shift.
• Assist team members with the setup and breakdown of the dining room daily, setting tables for the next service.
• Assist with setup and breakdown of events.

Additional Valued Qualifications

• Familiarity with a point of sales (POS) system.
• A passion for farm‑to‑table food and hospitality.
• Flexibility.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Being active for extended periods of time and working in settings with limited air‑conditioned work environments depending on the location.
• Fast‑paced work environment.
• Carrying and moving items up/down stairs and over uneven terrain, weighing up to 40 lbs.

Application Information

If our vision and mission excite you, we hope you will share with us your experience and skill set that you feel would qualify you to make a contribution to the Farm.

In your application, please respond to the following questions:

• Tell us about your unique characteristics and life experience that will help you thrive in this role.

EEO Statement

Shelburne Farms is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and we strongly stand against discrimination and harassment of any kind.

If you need accommodations throughout the application process or have general questions, please contact us at [e-mail] or 802‑985‑8686.