Dawn PM Captain Assistant

Dawn Ranch Lodge; Guerneville (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Dawn Ranch Lodge in Guerneville, CA, seeks a Captain Assistant to join the Lodge's dining team. This role supports the Captain in delivering seamless, precise service, coordinating with the kitchen, runners, and captains to ensure a refined guest experience.

The position emphasizes timing, spatial awareness, and anticipating guest needs, with a focus on maintaining high standards and exceptional hospitality.

Qualifications

• Experience in fine dining restaurant as Food Runner or service support role.
• Exceptional attention to detail, situational awareness, and guest sensitivity.
• Strong sense of teamwork and composure under pressure.
• A genuine passion for hospitality and guest satisfaction.
• Flexible availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and lift up to 30 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Support Captain in executing all aspects of table service with synchronization and finesse.
• Present and clear courses in coordination with the team, maintaining precision and consistency.
• Monitor and maintain guest tables throughout service, ensuring all glassware, flatware, and surfaces remain flawless.
• Anticipate guest needs discreetly, including replenishing beverages and assisting with coats or chairs as appropriate.
• Maintain immaculate mise en place at all times, including polish of glassware, silverware, and service tools.
• Execute table resets and transitions swiftly, following the restaurant's standards.
• Maintain organization of service stations and linen management.
• Communicate with the kitchen and captains to align service with pacing.
• Participate in pre-service briefings to internalize menu changes and wine pairings.

Skills

Fine dining experience

Guest service orientation

Teamwork

Stamina

Education

California Food Handler Certification

Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Certification

Job description

Job Details

Level: Experienced

Job Location: Dawn Ranch Lodge - GUERNEVILLE, CA 95446

Position Type: Full-Time/Part-Time

Salary Range: $18.00 - $19.00 Hourly

Travel Percentage: None

Job Category: Restaurant - Food Service

ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Dawn Ranch is a natural preserve and boutique hotel destination nestled riverside at the edge of Guerneville in Sonoma's wine-rich Russian River Valley.

The cottage-style hotel and event venue offer an authentic, historic, and unique Sonoma wine country escape among 22 acres of ancient giant redwoods, native meadows, and vintage apple trees.

Our onsite restaurant, The Lodge at Dawn Ranch, offers exceptional dining with a wine-forward experience centered around hospitality, education, and world-class service.

Wine service is part of the identity of the restaurant.

Our goal is not simply to sell wine - it is to create experiences guests remember long after leaving the table.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Captain Assistant plays a vital role in delivering seamless, intuitive, and exacting fine dining service.

Working in harmony with the service team, the Back Waiter ensures that every detail of the guest experience - from the placement of a glass to the pacing of a course - reflects precision, grace, and genuine hospitality.

This position requires acute attention to timing, spatial awareness, and the ability to anticipate needs before they are expressed.

The Captain Assistant is both an ambassador of the restaurant's philosophy and a guardian of its standards.

HOURLY + TIPS

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Support Captain in executing all aspects of table service with synchronization and finesse.
• Present and clear courses in coordination with the team, maintaining precision and consistency.
• Monitor and maintain guest tables throughout service, ensuring all glassware, flatware, and surfaces remain flawless.
• Anticipate guest needs discreetly, including but not limited to replenishing beverages, providing new utensils, and assisting with coats or chairs as appropriate.
• Maintain immaculate mise en place at all times, including polish of glassware, silverware, and service tools.
• Execute table resets and transitions swiftly, following the restaurant's aesthetic and technical standards.
• Maintain proper organization of service stations, and linen management.
• Communicate seamlessly with the kitchen, food runners, and captains to ensure service flow aligns with kitchen pacing and guest experience.
• Participate actively in pre-service briefings to internalize menu changes, wine pairings, and service notes.
• Uphold and reinforce the restaurant's commitment to refined hospitality and team discipline.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of the current menu, ingredients, and preparation methods.
• Develop familiarity with the restaurant's wine and beverage program to anticipate pairings and service needs.
• Represent the restaurant with professionalism, warmth, and discretion at all times.
• Assist other departments within the restaurant when needed.

QualificationsSpecific requirements of this role:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and lift up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to grasp, lift, carry, and move large trays of food, plates, utensils, glasses, etc.
• Adhere to all health and safety regulations and procedures, including food handling and sanitation
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high pressure service environment
• California Food Handler Certification, Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Certification
• Follow all company policies and procedures related to dining room service.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Experience in fine dining restaurant as Food Runner or service support role
• Exceptional attention to detail, situational awareness, and guest sensitivity.
• Strong sense of teamwork and composure under pressure.
• A genuine passion for hospitality and guest satisfaction.
• Flexible availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: Company is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.

All employment decisions at Company are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

Company will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics and encourages applicants of all ages.