Job Description

Job Title: Barista

Salary: £7.00/7.20per hour (depending on age)

Term:Casual work

Location: 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP

Reporting to: Operations Manager

Working with:Front of House Managers and team

Introduction to organisation

The Story Museum celebrates stories in all forms and explores their enduring power to teach and delight. Founded in 2003, it began by taking stories and storytellers into schools and communities. Since 2009 it has gradually been transforming a large, dilapidated building in the centre of Oxford into an unusual museum, with the help of authors, artists, teachers, other cultural organisations and volunteers of all ages.

Following a first phase of capital works, the Story Museum has created a new ground floor area which serves as a box office, shop, café and event space; a vital addition to the charity’s resource. This gives us a street-fronting facility which we aim to keep open to our visiting public whilst subsequent phases of our capital development plan proceeds, between now and 2018, in buildings to the rear.

Background to post

The shop-caféis the museum’s shop window in every sense. It serves as a welcoming first point of contact for museum visitors and a first taste of what The Story Museum has to offer. Visitors include people buying tickets, books, gifts or refreshments, visiting exhibitions, requiring information, appearing at or attending events, coming to meetings or making deliveries. As such the space and the team working in it mustreflect The Story Museum’s distinctive character and values by offering a welcoming and efficient service, and an environment that appeals to the young and young-at-heart.

As well as enhancing the experience of visitors to the museum, the shop-café needs to attract visitors in its own right, particularly when the museum is closed. The shop stocks a small selection of children’s literature as well as books about stories and storytelling and titles that relate to the museum exhibitions and programme. We source story-related gifts and other merchandise, selecting for relevance, uniqueness, quality, profitability and visitor appeal.

The café serves a small but changing menu of simple, home-cooked lunches and teas inspired by stories and appealing to all ages. It has 25 indoor covers and fair-weather seating for approximately 20 more in our courtyard. It offers hospitality and refreshments to support our programme of public and fundraising events, festivals and courses held throughout the building, courtyard and café itself.Some of these will take place in the evenings. Food is prepared by a kitchen team who work closely with the shop/front of house team.

We are looking for experienced baristas to provide a high quality service to our customers during peak visitor periods (in particular school holidays) and as cover during staff holidays or periods of sickness. This opportunity will suit someone who is not looking for permanent regular shifts but would be interested in occasional opportunities. The successful applicant(s) will work alongside a team experienced in providing front of house support and café services to our visitors.

Main purpose of job

The main purposes of the job are:

  • To provide an efficient high quality drinks service in a friendly manner to members of the public and visitors to the Museum.
  • To support the permanent café team with other café operations – eg clearing tables, serving food.
  • To integrate quickly into an existing team.

Main responsibilities and duties

  1. Museum café
  • Produce high quality coffee products using the commercial coffee grinder and machine.
  • Produce other hot drinks such as teas and hot chocolates.
  • Serve other drinks, food products and freshly prepared food (dependent on training).
  • Clear the crockery to the kitchen, stack the dishwasher and put away clean crockery, cutlery and equipment.
  • Clean and shut down the coffee machine on a daily basis as instructed.
  • Display, or close down, the daily food offer as planned and as appropriate to the shifts worked.
  • Record the hot food orders and pass to the kitchen team.
  • Process sales through the till or tablet as necessary, taking money and issuing change.
  • Understand the need for, and help to maintain, excellent hygiene procedures. Ensure all food hygiene and health and safety procedures are followed.
  • Ensure that alcohol is sold according to the Licensing Act 2003 and uphold the Think 25 policy.
  1. Museum shop
  • Assist others in ensuring the smooth running of the shop/café area and box office.
  1. General
  • Maintain high levels of personal hygiene and a professional appearance.
  • Adhere to all company policies and procedures.
  • Ensure the shop/café is welcoming, presentable and safe at all times.
  • Develop a good knowledge of The Story Museumprogramme of events.
  • This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required and is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive.

Person specification

Essential

  • Previous barista experience in a café or restaurant.
  • Pleasant and confident customer service and communication skills.
  • Experience of using a till.
  • A willingness to learn new systems.
  • Ability to stay calm during busy periods.
  • To be numerate and accurate.

Desirable

  • Experience of preparing and presenting food.
  • Knowledge of food hygiene.
  • An interest/enthusiasm for food.
  • An interest in working in a child-friendly environment.
  • An interest/enthusiasm in stories or in the arts in general.
  • Ability to be calm and positive when dealing with complaints or difficult situations.
  • Willingness to undertake appropriate training such as first aid or food hygiene.

Statement of main terms

Nature of Engagement

Work will be offered to you on an "ad hoc" basis as and when there is work to be done. You are free to accept or decline such offers of work. You are not guaranteed continuous work and we are under no obligation to offer you further engagements or re-engagement. This letter does not therefore constitute a Contract of Employment between you and the Company.

Work will be offered to you on either an hourly or sessional basis. Attendance at work will be as agreed between yourself and your Manager. When you have agreed to attend for work and are unable to do so, you are required to notify us immediately.

Wages

You will be paid monthly in arrears. National Insurance contributions and Income Tax payments will be deducted, if applicable, at the appropriate rate.

Sick Pay

Any absence due to ill health must be reported at the earliest opportunity on the day in question, or before if possible. The Company does not operate contractual sickness and injury schemes for Casual Workers.

Holidays

The holiday year begins on 1st January and ends on 31st December each year. Your paid holiday entitlement is 5.6 working weeks pro rata.

You are to obey the company’s rules on requesting and taking holidays. You will not be entitled to any payment for bank holidays or public holidays unless you are actually required to work them.

Health & Safety at Work

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act each individual has a legal responsibility for their own welfare and for the health and safety of others. Any queries you may have relating to health and safety matters should be raised in the first instance with your Manager You will be issued with a Health & Safety handbook outlining your duties and responsibilities.

Code of Conduct

During each individual engagement, you will be subject to our standards of conduct and rules. You are responsible for maintaining high standards of work and personal behaviour and conduct. Your immediate Supervisor has the authority to suspend or terminate your engagement prior to the conclusion of the agreed period should there be a breach on your part of the relevant standards.

The Story Museum, 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP

Telephone: 01865 790050

Registered charity no. 1107809

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