Barista

About Rice:
Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name -- RICE -- Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The Barista is an entry-level position responsible for preparing beverages and providing excellent guest service in a fast-paced cafe environment. This role supports daily operations by maintaining cleanliness, efficiency, and consistency while creating a welcoming and positive experience for all guests.

This position is ideal for individuals beginning their hospitality journey with some prior cafe or food service experience.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate is a hospitality-driven individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and takes pride in delivering a consistent and welcoming guest experience. They are reliable, eager to learn, and bring a positive attitude to every shift. A strong candidate demonstrates attention to detail, communicates effectively with both guests and team members, and is motivated to grow within a dynamic cafe operation

Workplace Requirements:
This position is fully on-site across Rice Retail Dining cafe locations. Schedules may vary based on operational needs. Monday-Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. hours of operations. Per Rice Policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

• Work Environment:
  Fast-paced cafe environment with exposure to kitchen equipment, coffee machinery, and high-volume service periods.
• Work Hazards:
  Exposure to hot liquids, espresso equipment, cleaning chemicals, and wet/slippery floors.
• Work Schedule:
  Flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, weekends. Overtime may be required during peak business periods.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand for extended periods
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

This role is classified as an Essential On-Campus Position, requiring on-site presence to effectively carry out its vital functions. During emergencies or crises, the employee is required to report to campus as directed to ensure continuity of critical operations and must remain accessible to leadership to fulfill responsibilities necessary for maintaining institutional functions.

Hiring Rate: $18 per hour

*Non-Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Two or more (2+)years of barista experience in a coffee shop or cafe setting
• Valid Food Handler Certification (ServSafe or equivalent)

Preferences

• Prior cafe or food service experience preferred but not required

Skills:

• Strong customer service and communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills
• Knowledge of cleaning chemicals, sanitation standards, and safety procedures
• Ability to speak and understand basic English
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team
• Ability to follow directions and complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision

Essential Functions:

Beverage Preparation & Service

• Prepare and serve coffee, espresso drinks, teas, and specialty beverages to standard
• Provide friendly, efficient, and engaging guest service
• Accurately take orders and process transactions through the POS system
• Maintain speed and accuracy during peak service periods

Operations Support

• Assist with opening and closing duties, including station setup and breakdown
• Restock products, cups, lids, and ingredients throughout service
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of all cafe areas
• Follow daily checklists and operational procedures

Quality & Standards

• Follow established recipes and presentation standards
• Adhere to food safety, sanitation, and university policies
• Properly use and maintain cafe equipment

Additional Responsibilities

• Any duty as assigned by supervisor

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.