Barista

Homebase, Inc.; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Zoomies Chicago is hiring a Barista to run the cafe operations at our Chicago venue. Cafe hours run 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with morning-focused shifts and cross-training for bar service preferred. You’ll craft espresso drinks, brew pour-overs, and serve snacks while welcoming dogs and their humans.

We value 1+ year of barista experience, latte art and milk texturing skills, and comfort working in a fast-paced environment. This role offers growth as part of a fun, dog-loving team.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of barista or cafe experience required.
• Experience in high-volume grab-and-go retail or food merchandising preferred.
• Proficiency with espresso equipment and milk texturing.
• Comfort in a dual-role environment during morning rushes.
• Illinois Food Handler Certification within 30 days of hire (or ability to obtain).

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve espresso-based drinks, drip coffee, teas, and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Coordinate display of pre-packaged sandwiches and café snacks with stock and presentation guidance.
• Operate and maintain espresso machines, grinders, and cafe equipment.
• Take orders accurately, manage ticket flow, and maintain speed/quality during rushes.
• Follow all food safety, allergen awareness, and sanitation protocols.
• Keep cafe and kitchen prep area clean; complete end-of-day station clean-down.
• Restock cafe supplies and inventory; communicate needs to management.
• Engage warmly with members and guests; contribute to Zoomies experience.
• Handle cash and card transactions using POS system.

Skills

Barista experience

Espresso proficiency

Milk texturing

POS systems

Customer friendly

Early morning

Dog-friendly

Job description

Barista

Cafe, Coffee & Food Service | Part-Time & Full -Time | Zoomies Chicago

About Zoomies Chicago

Zoomies is Chicago's premier indoor/outdoor dog park experience — a one-of-a-kind destination where dogs play and people unwind. Our facility features expansive off-leash dog parks, a full-service café, a craft beverage bar, daycare and boarding, professional grooming, and private runs, all under one roof. We're building a team that loves dogs as much as our members do. At Zoomies, every role matters — from the bark rangers keeping our parks safe to the baristas fueling the humans who love them.

Position Overview

Our Barista is the heartbeat of the Zoomies café — the person responsible for fueling the humans who love their dogs as much as we do. You'll run the full Zoomies cafe operation — crafting espresso drinks and brewing pour-overs alongside a variety of convenient snacks and café favorites — while surrounded by happy dogs and the people who love them. Cafe hours run 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and we're looking for morning-focused individuals who are equally comfortable behind an espresso machine and a panini press, and who thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy environment. Candidates open to cross-training for bar shifts are strongly preferred.

What You'll Do

• Prepare and serve espresso-based drinks, drip coffee, teas, and non-alcoholic beverages to Zoomies members and day-pass guests
• Coordinate the display of pre-packaged sandwiches and café snacks; follow established guidelines for inventory stock and presentation consistency.
• Operate and maintain espresso machines, grinders, and related cafe equipment
• Take food and drink orders accurately; manage ticket flow and maintain speed and quality during high-traffic morning rushes
• Follow all Illinois food safety, allergen awareness, and sanitation protocols at all times
• Maintain a clean and organized cafe and kitchen prep station throughout your shift; perform full station clean-down at the end of the day
• Restock cafe supplies, food ingredients, pastries, and merchandise; communicate inventory needs to management
• Engage warmly with members and guests — you are a core part of the Zoomies experience
• Handle cash and card transactions accurately using our POS system

Shifts Available

Cafe Hours: 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM daily

Primary Shifts: 5:45 AM - 3:45 PM

Note: Candidates open to cross-training for bar service will be given strong preference

What We're Looking For

• 1+ year of barista or cafe experience required; experience in high-volume grab-and-go retail or food merchandising strongly preferred
• Proficiency with espresso equipment and milk texturing
• Comfort in a dual-role environment — equally at home crafting a latte and efficiently managing grab-and-go food stock during a rush
• Genuinely friendly and personable — you enjoy people (and dogs)
• Dependable, punctual, and comfortable with early morning starts
• Able to stand for extended periods and lift up to 40 lbs
• Illinois Food Handler Certification required (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire)
• Experience with POS systems a plus
• Interest in cross-training as a bartender is a strong plus
• Dog-friendly personality is non-negotiable — you'll be working around dogs every single day

Benefits

• Paid time off (PTO)

Equal Opportunity & Legal Disclosures

Zoomies Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment at Zoomies Chicago is at-will, meaning either the employee or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Job responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of management. Zoomies Chicago participates in E-Verify. Upon hire, we will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process should contact us at [e-mail].

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