Server

Hawthorn Senior Living; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawthorn Senior Living is seeking staff to serve meals to residents in a courteous, friendly manner. This universal role will be cross-trained in other positions as directed by the Community Executive Chef and Management Team. The position emphasizes safety, cleanliness, and resident-focused service.

Responsibilities include greeting residents, taking orders, delivering meals, assisting with adaptive equipment, and maintaining dining room standards in a high-volume environment.

Qualifications

• Ability to present meal alternatives to residents and guests.
• General knowledge of sanitation and safe food handling practices.
• Meets state health-related requirements.
• Must meet state age-related requirements.
• Communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Prioritize and organize multiple duties.
• Demonstrate teamwork in a busy environment.

Responsibilities

• Greet residents (and visitors) at table before taking orders or serving.
• Take meal orders and deliver them to kitchen efficiently.
• Ensure adaptive equipment is available for residents who require it.
• Serve beverages, cereals, soups, salads, meals, and desserts.
• Deliver meal trays to resident apartments as needed.
• Bus dining room tables; clean tables and chairs.
• Vacuum dining room after meals; set tables for next meal.
• Maintain knowledge of Hawthorn Senior Living Employee Handbook and policies.

Skills

Customer service

Food service

English communication

Team player

Time management

Problem solving

Job description

Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

Serves meals to residents' tables following Hawthorn Senior Living procedures in a courteous and friendly manner. This position is considered a universal employee worker and will be crossed trained in other positions as directed by the Community Executive Chef and/or the Community Management Team.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS

• Ability to present meal alternatives to residents and guests.
• Have a general knowledge of sanitation and safe food handling practices.
• Meets state or provincial health-related requirements.
• Must meet state or provincial age-related requirements.

• Embodies a patient and creative attitude with the ability to “think outside the box.”
• Demonstrates a commitment to and respect for all individuals.
• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, with residents and staff.
• Builds on basic learning and carries it from one situation to another.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills in problem solving and decision making.
• Asks questions and seeks assistance.
• Takes responsibility to eliminate the source of problems.
• Ability to prioritize and organize multiple work duties.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills, taking into consideration body language, filters, listening, paraphrasing and questions with co-workers and residents of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrates ability to work efficiently and pleasantly in an extremely busy work environment, to deal with difficult situations in a calm manner and be a team player.
• Ability to work under time constraints and meet department deadlines.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• None

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Regular, on-site attendance and punctuality are required as scheduled.
• Takes responsibility for maintaining current knowledge of the Hawthorn Senior Living Employee Handbook.
• Adheres to all Company policies, procedures and standards.

• Greets residents (and visitors if applicable) at table before taking orders or serving.
• Politely and efficiently takes meal orders and delivers them to kitchen.
• Assures adaptive equipment present for residents who require it.
• Serves beverages, cereals, soups, salads, meals, and desserts.
• Assists residents with opening packages, cutting foods, etc. as necessary.
• Delivers meal trays to resident apartments as necessary.
• Busses dining room tables.
• Cleans dining room tables and chairs.
• Vacuums dining room after meals.
• Sets tables for next meal.
• Completes side duties, such as adding sugar and creamer packets, cleaning beverage center, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Community Executive Chef and/or the Community Management Team.
• May be assigned to any other job function in the Community on a relief basis.
• Maintains food handlers permit as necessary to fulfill state or provincial regulations.
• Maintains CPR and first aid certification as necessary to fulfill state or provincial regulations.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs all work assigned for the agreed-upon salary, accepting no additional payment or non-perishable gifts from residents, vendors, or others.
• Use timekeeping system to report hours worked on a daily basis, as well as the start and stop times of your meal periods.
• Meets the assigned work requirements of the job.
• Adheres to dress/appearance code. Changes in attire may be dictated by special occasion or weather conditions. If you have questions, check with your Community Executive Chef.
• Promotes resident advocacy and demonstrate excellent customer service at all times.
• Serves as a role model for all employees by displaying a responsible, cooperative, and positive attitude.
• Represents the Company and the community in a professional, courteous, and friendly manner when in the public.

• Understands safe and proper chemical use and adheres to safety protocols. This includes using personal protective equipment when necessary.

• Attend education and training classes as necessary to fulfill company training requirements and/or state regulations applicable to the position.
• Maintain personnel, resident, and business proprietary and/or confidential matters/material in strict confidence with management of the company (and/or other company staff as needed).

• Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre‑employment background checks, employment verification, and reference checks, as permitted by law. Hawthorn Senior Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
• At Hawthorn Senior Living, we offer competitive compensation and a robust benefits package designed to support our employees' well‑being. Benefits may include paid time off; medical, dental, vision, and disability coverage; and supplemental life insurance. Eligible employees may also participate in a 401(k) plan with a company‑determined match and have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Beyond benefits, we are proud of our unique culture and enjoy celebrating our team throughout the year.