Front of House Assistant

City of Poway, CA; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts, operated by the City of Poway, CA, seeks a part-time, temporary events helper to deliver exceptional customer service at concessions, bar, and front-of-house operations during performances. The role involves cashiering, inventory control, and assisting patrons and rental clients with a focus on safety and smooth event flow.

Under supervision, you will support staff and volunteers, ensure clean and orderly areas, and assist with setup, takedown, and

Qualifications

• One year of customer service experience.
• Experience in front of house operations and/or concessions.
• Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade.

Responsibilities

• Provide customer service in the concession booth/bar for the Poway Center.
• Perform cashiering duties; handle cash, receipts, and daily reconciliations.
• Maintain cleanliness of concession/front of house areas and storage.
• Provide event supervision and assist patrons and rental clients.
• Assist patrons in person and by phone; enforce policies as needed.
• Monitor theatre use to ensure safety and conduct.
• Open/close building for events.
• Train event staff and volunteers when needed.
• Coordinate safe evacuation during emergencies.
• Set up and take down equipment for front-of-house activities.
• Assist with inventory controls and purchasing.
• Maintain punctuality and regular attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Cash handling

Front of house operations

Event supervision

Safety procedures

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Cash register

Job description

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts is gearing up for the 2026-27 season! From September through June, our first‑class performance space is packed with mainstage professional artists, community‑based productions, and educational theatre, music, and dance. We’re looking for experts in customer service and can provide excellent training to those new to theatre.

Join our team today and be an exciting part of celebrating the arts year after year!

This part-time, temporary, at-will position, under general supervision, provides customer service to rental clients and patrons at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the form of event supervision, concessions/bar sales, safety, and general assistance. Manages cash and inventory for concessions and bar. Maintains the general cleanliness and organization of the concessions, bar and lobby areas. Receives immediate direction from the Front of House Coordinator or assigned supervisor. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Provides responsible customer service in operating the concession booth/bar for the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.
• Performs cashiering duties; receives money and issues receipts; performs daily reconciliation of cash drawer and inventory; opens and closes safe; participates in generating reports; maintains accurate records.
• Maintains concession, front of the house areas, storage sites, and other work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing inventory and materials at the close of the workday.
• Provides event supervision, including meeting with rental client to review client needs and policies, meeting with volunteer ushers to review customer service, safety and evacuation procedures, and overseeing seating of patrons.
• Assists patrons in person and over the telephone; responds to complaints and requests for information; assists in interpreting and applying regulations, policies, procedures, systems, rules, and precedents in response to inquiries and complaints from public as necessary.
• Monitors use of the theatre by user groups to ensure a safe environment; assists in enforcing established rules of facility use and participant conduct.
• Opens, closes, and secures building for events.
• May provide technical or functional direction and training to event staff and volunteers.
• Coordinates the safe evacuation of the theatre and lobby areas during an emergency.
• Sets up, assembles, and takes down equipment for the front of house activities and community events.
• Assists in purchasing and maintaining inventory controls of concession supplies and materials.
• Maintains attendance and punctuality that is observant of scheduled hours on a regular basis.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Any combination of the following education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this classification.

Experience:

One year of customer service experience, which is the equivalent of 999 hours for this specific position. Experience working in front of house operations and/or food and beverage concessions is desirable.

Education/Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade. Additional training beyond completion of the 12th grade is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

• A valid class C driver's license or the ability to arrange alternate and timely means of transportation in the performance of assigned duties.
• Within five months of appointment, as a condition of employment, satisfactory completion of First Aid and CPR/AED certificates are required.
• Food Handler's Card issued by the California Department of Health Services (DHS) isdesirable.
• Licensee on Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) Certificate issued by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is desirable.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard theatre and office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily an event management classification although standing in work areas for extended periods of time and walking between work areas is required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office and duplicating equipment and cash register. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in an enclosed theatre and office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Other Requirements

Incumbents in this classification are required to be age 21 or older to serve alcoholic beverages at the Theatre's bar.

Working Conditions

May be required to work various shifts including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.