Barista – OCA Mocha

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Arbutus (MD); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

OCA Mocha Café on campus seeks a friendly Barista to support daily operations, prepare drinks and food according to recipes, and assist customers with courtesy.

Shifts run Monday through Sunday, 8 am–3 pm, with hours subject to change. You will follow university policies and health/safety regulations while delivering efficient service in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in food service or customer service preferred.
• Ability to follow recipes, procedures, and safety protocols.
• Basic math skills for cash handling.
• Strong communication and teamwork.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare food and beverage items according to established recipes, portion standards, and quality guidelines 35%
• Operate point-of-sale (POS) system to accurately process customer orders and transactions 25%
• Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of workstations, service areas, and equipment 20%
• Follow food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures in accordance with Health Department and University requirements 10%
• Support inventory management including stocking, rotation (FIFO), and reporting low supplies or equipment concerns 5%
• Assist with opening, closing, and daily operational procedures as assigned 5%

Skills

Food service experience

Cash handling

Customer service

Teamwork

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

POS system

Job description

The Barista performs a variety of food service and customer service duties to support the daily operation of OCA Mocha café. Responsibilities include preparing food and beverage items according to established recipes and quality standards, processing customer transactions, maintaining a clean and safe work environment, and supporting efficient café operations while following University policies and food safety regulations. OCA Mocha currently operates Monday through Sunday, between the hours of 8 am and 3 pm, but are subject to change. OCA Mocha is located on the campus shuttle route.

Primary Job Responsibilities

Responsibility / Task and % of Time

Prepare food and beverage items according to established recipes, portion standards, and quality guidelines 35%

Operate point-of-sale (POS) system to accurately process customer orders and transactions 25%

Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of workstations, service areas, and equipment 20%

Follow food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures in accordance with Health Department and University requirements 10%

Support inventory management including stocking, rotation (FIFO), and reporting low supplies or equipment concerns 5%

Assist with opening, closing, and daily operational procedures as assigned 5%

• Prepare food and beverage items according to established recipes, portioning standards, and quality expectations.
• Accurately take customer orders and process payments using the POS system.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitized workstation and customer service area throughout shifts.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures in accordance with University policy and Health Department regulations.
• Store, rotate, and restock inventory using FIFO methods; communicate shortages or supply needs to supervisory staff.
• Assist with opening and closing procedures, including setup, breakdown, and cleaning tasks.
• Report equipment issues, safety concerns, or operational problems to appropriate supervisory staff promptly.
• Provide courteous customer service and assist with general inquiries as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills / Knowledge / Experience

• Previous experience in food service, retail, or customer service is preferred but not required.
• Ability to follow standardized recipes, procedures, and safety protocols.
• Basic math skills for handling cash and transactions.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and as part of a team.

Education

Required Education: None

Preferred Education: High school diploma or GED