Student: Customer Experience Café Associate

University of Kentucky; Lexington, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 14,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly pay

Tips

Advancement opportunities

Off-campus role

Job summary

Grounded All Day Café in Lexington, KY is seeking a friendly, hospitality-driven part-time team member. You will welcome guests, guide them through the menu, prepare fresh food, and craft quality coffee beverages while maintaining a clean, inviting space.

This off-campus role is not affiliated with UK and requires a current UK student to apply. Join a high-energy team that values genuine guest connections and top-notch service, with opportunities for tips and growth in a best-in-class Lexington

Qualifications

• Experience in café, coffee shop, restaurant, or fast‑casual food service environments.
• Barista or espresso machine experience is preferred.
• Experience in high‑volume customer service roles.
• Cash handling or POS system experience.
• Food preparation or kitchen experience.
• Sales experience or comfort with upselling and product recommendations.
• Familiarity with specialty coffee or artisan foods.

Responsibilities

• Welcome every guest with genuine enthusiasm.
• Learn and guide guests through our menu and experience.
• Offer samples and engage guests to discover items they’ll love.
• Prepare fresh food with attention to detail.
• Craft coffee and espresso beverages.
• Keep the café clean, organized, and inviting.
• Work as part of a fast-paced, supportive team.

Skills

Strong customer service

Outgoing personality

Clear communication

Multitasking

Dependability

Team oriented

Attention to detail

Education

Current UK student

Tools

POS system experience

Cash handling

Job description

Requisition Number

Requisition Number SE04436

Department Name

Department Name 3J5SE: Student Employment

Work Location

Work Location Lexington, KY

On Campus/Off Campus

On Campus/Off Campus Off Campus

Salary Range

Salary Range $10-$20

Type of Position

Type of Position Student

Position Time Status

Position Time Status Part-Time

Preferred Education/Experience

Restaurant or coffee experience is appreciated but not required. We can teach the skills. We can’t teach the desire to genuinely care about people.

• Previous experience in a café, coffee shop, restaurant, or fast‑casual food service environment
• Barista or espresso machine experience
• Experience in high‑volume customer service roles
• Cash handling or point‑of‑sale ( POS ) system experience
• Food preparation or kitchen experience
• Sales experience or comfort with upselling and product recommendations
• Familiarity with specialty coffee or artisan food environments
• Experience working in a team‑based, fast‑paced setting

20

You must be a current UK student to apply for this position. This position is located off-campus with a local Lexington employer and is not affiliated with UK.

Do you believe every customer deserves to feel genuinely welcomed, valued, and cared for?

Are you outgoing, energetic, and someone who naturally starts conversations with strangers?

Do you understand that building a real connection with people not only creates loyal customers but also leads to bigger tips and a more rewarding workday?

If so, we want to meet you.

At Grounded All Day Café, we don’t just serve coffee and bagels. We create experiences. Every guest who walks through our doors should leave feeling like they were treated better than they expected. We believe incredible hospitality can change someone’s day, and we’re looking for people who share that belief.

Our café has become one of Lexington’s favorite places to gather because of our commitment to exceptional food, handcrafted ingredients, and unforgettable customer service. Our New York bagels arrive fresh every day. Our cream cheese spreads are made by hand in our kitchen. Our coffee syrups are crafted from scratch. We believe details matter, and so do the people who create them.

What You’ll Do:

• Welcome every guest with genuine enthusiasm.
• Learn our signature customer experience and confidently guide guests through our menu.
• Offer samples and create conversations that help guests discover their new favorite item.
• Prepare beautiful, fresh food with attention to detail.
• Craft outstanding coffee and espresso beverages.
• Keep the café clean, organized, and inviting.
• Work as part of a fast paced team that supports one another every day.

What We’re Looking For:

• An outgoing personality that enjoys meeting new people.
• Someone who smiles easily and creates positive energy.
• A strong work ethic and willingness to stay busy.
• Dependability and punctuality.
• The ability to multitask while maintaining exceptional customer service.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

• Competitive hourly pay plus tips.
• Opportunities for advancement as we continue to grow.
• A positive, team oriented environment where hard work is recognized.
• A chance to work at one of Lexington’s highest rated cafés.
• The opportunity to make someone’s day, every single shift.

If you’re looking for a job where your personality matters just as much as your skills, where hospitality is celebrated, and where every day is different, we’d love to meet you.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

• Strong customer service and hospitality mindset
• Outgoing and friendly personality with the ability to engage guests naturally
• Clear and positive communication skills
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Dependability and consistent punctuality
• Strong work ethic and willingness to stay busy during peak hours
• Ability to follow processes and learn a structured customer experience approach
• Attention to detail in food and beverage preparation
• Team-oriented attitude and willingness to support coworkers
• Ability to maintain cleanliness and organization in a shared workspace
• Passion for food, coffee, and hospitality culture

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 09/15/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

Anticipated Start Date

Anticipated Start Date 08/21/2026

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * You must be a UK student to hold this position. Are you a UK student?
  • Yes
  • No
• * This position is located off campus and is not associated with the University of Kentucky. Are you eligible to work an off campus job?
  • Yes
  • No
• * This position requires additional steps after submitting your application. You will receive an email with instructions to apply directly with a third-party non-UK employer. Do you understand that you must follow the instructions in that email to complete your application?
  • Yes
  • No