Visitor Experience Cafe Associate

International African American Museum; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wage

Free parking for part-time employees

Free museum membership

Free uniform

Job summary

The International African American Museum invites applications for a Visitor Experience Café Associate to support daily cafe operations and deliver an exceptional guest experience. You’ll prepare and serve coffee drinks, food items, and Southern-inspired treats while maintaining a welcoming, clean, and organized café environment.

Key duties include taking orders, processing payments, stocking stations, and ensuring quality in every dish and drink.

Qualifications

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Ability to multitask and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong listening, organizational, and basic mathematical skills.
• Ability to handle cash and credit card transactions accurately.
• Dependable with reliable transportation.
• Commitment to professionalism, teamwork, and guest satisfaction.
• Must be 18 years old or older.

Responsibilities

• Warmly greet guests and create a welcoming café experience.
• Present menus, daily specials, and product offerings.
• Take food and beverage orders accurately and efficiently.
• Deliver food, beverages, condiments, and other requested items to customers.
• Answer questions about menu items and provide product recommendations.
• Build positive relationships with guests through attentive and friendly service.
• Prepare and serve specialty coffee drinks, teas, cold beverages, and blended beverages.
• Customize orders according to guest preferences while maintaining quality standards.
• Serve prepared foods, baked goods, desserts, parfaits, banana pudding, and other Southern-inspired specialties.
• Ensure all food and beverages meet presentation and quality expectations.
• Process customer payments accurately using the POS system.
• Maintain fully stocked service stations and beverage preparation areas.
• Monitor inventory levels and notify management when products need replenishment.
• Receive, stock, and organize food and beverage supplies as directed.
• Assist with inventory counts and product receiving when needed.
• Clean and sanitize equipment, utensils, workstations, dining areas, and service areas.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.
• Routinely monitor temperatures of refrigerators, freezers, and heating equipment.
• Clear and reset tables to maintain an inviting dining environment.
• Collaborate effectively with museum staff, volunteers, and fellow team members.
• Provide support to other departments and special events as needed.
• Adhere to all company policies, attendance standards, dress code requirements, and operational procedures.

Skills

Excellent customer service

Verbal communication

Written communication

Multitasking

Cash handling

Dependable transportation

Teamwork

Professionalism

Age 18+

Job description

Join Our Team and Help Create Memorable Visitor Experiences

The International African American Museum (IAAM) is seeking an enthusiastic, customer-focused Visitor Experience Café Associate to support the daily operations of our café and contribute to an exceptional guest experience. This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy engaging with people, preparing quality food and beverages, and working in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

As a Café Associate, you will prepare and serve specialty coffee beverages, food items, and Southern-inspired treats while providing outstanding hospitality to museum visitors. You will play a key role in creating a welcoming atmosphere and ensuring the café remains clean, organized, and inviting.

Perks and Benefits

• Competitive wage, paid biweekly, holiday worked pay
• Free parking for part-time employees valued at $3,250 annually
• Free museum membership and reciprocal access to many local attractions.
• Free uniform

Key Responsibilities - Guest Service & Hospitality

• Warmly greet guests and create a welcoming café experience.
• Present menus, daily specials, and product offerings.
• Take food and beverage orders accurately and efficiently.
• Deliver food, beverages, condiments, and other requested items to customers.
• Answer questions about menu items and provide product recommendations.
• Build positive relationships with guests through attentive and friendly service.

Food & Beverage Preparation

• Prepare and serve specialty coffee drinks, teas, cold beverages, and blended beverages.
• Customize orders according to guest preferences while maintaining quality standards.
• Serve prepared foods, baked goods, desserts, parfaits, banana pudding, and other Southern-inspired specialties.
• Ensure all food and beverages meet presentation and quality expectations.

Café Operations

• Process customer payments accurately using the Point-of-Sale (POS) system.
• Maintain fully stocked service stations and beverage preparation areas.
• Monitor inventory levels and notify management when products need replenishment.
• Receive, stock, and organize food and beverage supplies as directed.
• Assist with inventory counts and product receiving when needed.

Cleanliness & Safety

• Clean and sanitize equipment, utensils, workstations, dining areas, and service areas.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.
• Routinely monitor temperatures of refrigerators, freezers, and heating equipment.
• Clear and reset tables to maintain an inviting dining environment.

Team Support

• Collaborate effectively with museum staff, volunteers, and fellow team members.
• Provide support to other departments and special events as needed.
• Adhere to all company policies, attendance standards, dress code requirements, and operational procedures.

Qualifications & Experience

Required Skills

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Ability to multitask and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong listening, organizational, and basic mathematical skills.
• Ability to handle cash and credit card transactions accurately.
• Dependable with reliable transportation.
• Commitment to professionalism, teamwork, and guest satisfaction.
• Must be 18 years old or older

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous barista experience.
• Previous food service or hospitality experience.
• Experience operating POS systems.
• Experience serving diverse audiences in a customer-facing environment.
• ServSafe Certification (or willingness to obtain certification).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including weekends, holidays, special events, and extended hours when needed.
• Ability to remain calm, positive, and professional in busy or high-volume environments.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks while maintaining exceptional service standards.

Why Join IAAM?

At IAAM, every team member contributes to a meaningful visitor experience that connects guests with powerful stories of African American history, culture, and resilience. This position offers an opportunity to work in a collaborative environment where hospitality, community engagement, and service excellence are valued every day.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The International African American Museum is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences.