Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Bussers/Barback | Job Description

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant/bar/bookstore/event space/community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted and a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul. It is also a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide. We believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world.

We are always looking for passionate, hospitality-driven, people-persons! Do you want to serve delicious food in a diverse space where you truly be yourself? You will work in a team-oriented, fast-paced, guest-centric environment where we want to see you succeed and ultimately grow, both personally and professionally. If this sounds like the vibe you’re looking for, we hope you will apply!

Job Type: Variable Pay in DC Locations: $10.30 an hour plus tip out from the servers'/bartender orders. You can make as much as $25 an hour with a guarantee that you will never make less than $18.40 per hour.

Description

The Busser/Barback is responsible for ensuring an exceptional dining experience by supporting the service and bar teams by maintaining a clean, organized, and well-stocked environment. This role is essential to ensuring smooth operations and delivering a positive guest experience.

WHY WORK FOR US

Join a diverse space: 81% of our total workforce identifies as a person of color, 45% of our total workforce identifies as female and 5% of our workforce identifies as a person with disabilities. Our executive team also represents gender diversity, ethnic diversity, sexual orientation, and more. Men and women equally represented as well as various cultural and religious backgrounds. We strive to provide an inclusive workplace where you can bring your authentic self to work.

Grow with us: Over 60% of our managers were promoted from within to their existing role from line staff or from Front-of-House manager to Assistant or General Manager. Our entire Executive Team consists of existing employees who showed promise and were promoted into leadership positions.

Work with latest technologies: Striving to be a leader in our industry, we utilize a broad spectrum of technologies including our tech forward training program, employee payroll system, a self-managed tip distribution system, an events and catering platform, inventory management system, our POS Toast and much more!

Happy staff: Busboys and Poets are always looking for the next best way to engage with our staff. This includes raffles, anniversary boxes, an employee dedicated web-based forum and information site, blog and podcast.

Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Complete all assigned opening, daily, and weekly side work, including but not limited to: setting up the dining room (carpets, chairs, roll-ups), stocking and maintaining stations (ice bins, busser station, paper goods), ensuring cleanliness (bathrooms, floors, tables, dusting), clean glass windows/doors, supporting dish flow (scraping/stacking plates, handling glassware), assisting the bar as needed, managing trash and recycling, watering plants, restocking throughout shifts, organizing deliveries, breaking down boxes, and maintaining overall restaurant upkeep, including minor tasks like replacing lightbulbs.
• Complete assigned shift side work for running side work as well as weekly/daily assignments include but are not limited to take out all trash fill trash bins, empty/change sanitizer silverware tray, clean out dumpsinks, take out liner bag/replace, swept guest bathroom.
• Complete assigned shift side work for closing side work as well as weekly/daily assignments include but not limited to putting all chairs up, swept all floors, take all trash out/replace liner bags, breakdown patio/chain up the chairs, rollup all carpets, remove mats behind the bar, mop behind the bar, put mats back behind the bar, clean/mop the busser stations, cleaning/mopping/restocking bathrooms.
• Required to wear the company-approved Busboys & Poets dress code at all times, including black jeans or slacks, slip-resistant shoes, a clean apron, no loose hair (hairnet/hat/hair tied).
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• Maintain proper personal hygiene and a clean, professional appearance at all times in accordance with company grooming standards and health regulations (clean dress code, practicing regular handwashing, maintaining neat hair and grooming, short nails, and avoiding strong body odors or unsanitary conditions, in accordance with health regulations).
• Support servers with guests needs (refilling ice water, coffee, or other beverages, and condiments)
• Provide hospitable service with a smile. Excellent customer service starts with a warm and genuine approach to the tables.
• Follow all health, safety, and sanitation standards.
• Assist with additional duties and support other departments as needed during service, including stepping in to perform FOH tasks.

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age. 
• Must work a minimum of 3 full shifts that includes one weekend shift (Saturday/Sunday). 
• Flexible availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays. 
• Ability to receive feedback and direction with a positive, team-oriented attitude.
• Must be a team player and able to thrive in a fast-paced restaurant environment. 
• Previous busser/barback experience in a full service restaurant for at least a year. 
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of hospitality and enjoys engaging with guests in a friendly, professional manner. 
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and remain organized.
• Dependable, on time attendance, and able to follow company policies, procedures, and service standards.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, lift, and carry items (up to 50 lbs) for extended periods. 
• Spend time bending, reaching, crawling and/or twisting the body.
• Spend time making repetitive motions.
• Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, and tools.

Busboys and Poets is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please note the above listed is intended to describe the general duties, responsibilities, and requirements for performance in this position. It should not be construed as a comprehensive or complete statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. The Company reserves the right to amend this job description as it deems necessary.

Busboys and Poets owns and operates 8 multi-concept restaurant, bar, event and bookstore spaces in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Our locations include: 14th & V, 450K, Anacostia, Brookland, Columbia, Hyattsville, Shirlington, and Takoma with more on the horizon!

Pay in DC Locations: $10.30 per hour + Tips

Company Benefits

Busboys and Poets offers competitive pay and benefits including a wide choice of health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, paid sick leave, paid vacation leave, paid parental leave, a company paid life insurance policy, pet insurance and so much more.

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