Retreat Services Associate-Front of House

The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore; New Milford (CT); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore is hiring a Retreat Services Associate (Banquet Server) to support food service and maintain cleanliness at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in New Milford, CT. This role demands good communication and customer service skills, flexibility for shifts, and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team. Responsibilities include dining setup, meal service, and cleaning tasks, contributing to a welcoming environment for guests.

Qualifications

• Receptive to and accepting of guidance from others.
• Ability to deal with difficult people and problems.
• Stand for long periods of time and lift/push/pull 10-50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Assist in day-to-day operations focused on food service.
• Maintain cleanliness of dining areas, kitchen, and bathrooms.
• Serve and clear for guests receiving upgraded service.

Skills

Good verbal and written communication skills

Strong customer service and time-management skills

Detail-oriented and able to multitask

Ability to work independently and in a team

Flexibility to accept new responsibilities

Job description

Retreat Services Associate (Banquet Server)

At Adamah, we believe in the deep connection between people and planet, adam and adamah. Our mission is to create vibrant Jewish life in deep connection with the earth, catalyzing culture change and systemic change through Immersive Retreats, Jewish Environmental Education, and Climate Action. Every day, we inspire and empower youth, teens, families, and leaders through programs that deeply interweave Jewish tradition and the natural world, creating diverse and inclusive communities, and building a more sustainable future.

Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center is a year‑round 180‑person retreat facility located in Falls Village, CT. The Banquet Server will assist in the day‑to‑day operations focused on food service and the overall cleanliness of the facility, including dining areas, kitchen, bathrooms, common areas, meeting rooms, lodging rooms and other duties when assigned by supervisors. This position reports to the Executive Chef. The role requires a flexible schedule including nights, holidays, and weekends.

Responsibilities

Banquet Servers may be assigned to any of the following job duties. Managers and Supervisors reserve the right to determine which task(s) an associate is assigned to, based on facility needs as well as the individual’s.

Food Services

• Dining room set up and meal service including dining tables and buffet with necessary equipment and prepared food in a timely manner prior to scheduled mealtime.
• Working at a fast pace to maintain the buffet throughout meal service, refilling food and keeping the area tidy as needed.
• Set up, upkeep and breakdown of the guest seating prior to, during and after meal.
• Break down buffet at the conclusion of meal service, clearing, wrapping, dating and storing extra food.
• Sweep & mop floor, wipe down chairs, reset buffets, dining tables as needed in preparation for the next meal.
• Serving and clearing for guests receiving upgraded service (plated service, no self‑bussing).
• Ensure snacks are delivered with appropriate plates, napkins & utensils and cleared according to the scheduled location and time on the schedule.
• Maintain the coffee bar, cleaning and replenishing as needed with beverage supplies, cups, and condiments. This includes setting up, maintaining and breaking down the coffee and teas for Shabbat every Friday–Saturday.
• Maintain an organized and clean linen closet.

Kitchen Duties

• Washing and putting away dishes, glassware, cooking equipment, utensils by hand or in the dish machine.
• Clean and restock the kitchen employee bathroom in the Great Hall as needed.
• Ensure kitchen linens are picked up, laundered, and returned daily.
• Take trash out to dumpsters, replace trash can liners, and clean trash cans as needed.
• Scrub, sweep, & mop kitchen floor as needed or requested.
• Assist with deliveries, storing items in their proper place, breaking down boxes, and taking to the compost or dumpster.

Meeting Spaces

• Breakdown, clean, and re‑set rooms for the next scheduled function according to instructions.
• Complete meeting room setups (tables, chairs and other supplies) before, during and after events.
• Maintain and set up all audio/visual equipment as assigned.
• Store and maintain all furniture and equipment in an orderly and neat manner.
• Maintain and set up all ritual objects, siddurim and furnishings wherever required.
• Setup, maintain, and attend to Campus Rentals groups when called upon and available.

Common Areas

• Responsible for the appearance and cleanliness of all public rooms and social areas.
• Monitor collection of compost, trash, and recycling inside lounges and on walkways.
• Clean and maintain all public spaces and areas as detailed by supervisors.

General Duties

• Monitor all meeting rooms, offices, lounges and lavatories for equipment or furnishings problems, including blinds, plumbing, light bulbs, upholstery, carpet, and inform supervisor if special attention is required.
• Inform supervisor of need to reorder supplies, paper products and other shortages.
• Provide top‑notch customer service to all guests, assist guests with luggage/boxes upon check‑in and check‑out, and answer general guest inquiries.
• Assist in completing various yearly inventories.
• Maintain acceptable standards of personal hygiene.
• Follow safety regulations, reporting injuries or any unsafe conditions and work practices to the supervisor.
• Attend All‑Staff and Facilities staff meetings, in‑service training and education sessions as assigned.
• Other tasks/duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong customer service and time‑management skills.
• Detail‑oriented and able to multitask.
• Ability to work independently and work well in a team environment.
• Flexibility to accept new responsibilities and direction as necessary.
• Needs to be receptive to and accepting of guidance from others.
• Ability to deal with difficult people and problems and work in a diverse group of people.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Push or pull 10–50 lbs.
• Lift 10–50 lbs.