Job Overview: Barista (CoolWorks – Kodiak, AK)

This position, listed via CoolWorks, is located in the unique setting of Kodiak, Alaska. It is a comprehensive role that combines technical coffee craft with inventory management and equipment maintenance. Unlike standard entry-level roles, this position requires a professional with a high degree of autonomy and a “hands-on” approach to keeping a café running smoothly.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys the logistics of food service—managing stock and troubleshooting equipment—just as much as the art of making the perfect espresso.

Key Responsibilities & Operational Duties

Beverage Craft & Service

Technical Preparation: Prepare and serve a full menu of hot and cold specialty beverages and café food items.
Guest Interaction: Service customers and take orders with a positive, courteous personality, ensuring excellence for both internal and external stakeholders.
Financial Oversight: Handle the cash register, process payments, perform end-of-shift closeouts, and prepare bank deposit drops.

Inventory & Maintenance

Logistics: Order, receive, and distribute stock supplies. Maintain inventories by replenishing coffee beans and supplies, keeping the supervisor informed of upcoming needs.
Equipment Care: Keep brewing equipment operating by following instructions, performing preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting minor breakdowns.
Sanitation: Maintain rigorous cleanliness standards for work areas, utensils, equipment, and customer seating areas.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: At least one year of retail, hospitality, or food service experience.
Certifications: Must possess a Food Handlers Certification.
Licensing: Valid driver’s license and the ability to be insured under the company’s insurance policy.

Preferred Skills & Knowledge

Advanced Tenure: 1–3 years of experience is preferred.
Cultural Competency: A demonstrated understanding of the social, health, and cultural needs of the Alaska Native/American Indian community.
Personal Attributes: Strong ability to multitask, solve problems quickly, and follow complex directions.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

Environment: Primarily indoors in an environmentally controlled café with a quiet to moderate noise level.
Stamina: Ability to stand and walk for the duration of a shift; occasionally required to climb, stoop, kneel, or crawl to maintain equipment or stock.
Strength: Must be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs (relevant for receiving large stock orders).
Schedule: Must be flexible and available to work evenings and weekends.

Why This Role?

Kodiak offers a stunning, rugged environment for those who love the outdoors. This position provides a stable, indoor work environment with a high level of responsibility. Because the role involves “internal and external stakeholders,” you will likely be a key figure in a community-oriented space, helping to sustain the social and cultural fabric of the local area.

Application Information

Interested candidates should apply through the link provided on CoolWorks.com. Ensure your resume highlights your “one year of experience” and your comfort with inventory management. Referencing Job ID #J-18808-Ljbffr may assist in your application.

Full Job Description

CoolWorks is a specialized job board for “Jobs in Great Places,” and their Kodiak listings typically feature seasonal or year-round roles with wilderness lodges, fishing charters, and adventure tour operators. Unlike corporate retail, these positions focus on the “Alaskan Experience.” Common employers found via CoolWorks in Kodiak include Kodiak Brown Bear Center, Quinnat Landing Hotel, and various remote ecotourism lodges.

Typical Roles & Responsibilities:

Guest Services & Lodge Support: Acting as a “jack-of-all-trades” in remote settings—handling guest check-ins, serving as a local guide, and ensuring the lodge environment is welcoming and pristine.
Culinary & Prep: Preparing high-quality meals (often featuring local seafood) for small groups of guests in a professional kitchen or remote field camp.
Adventure Guiding: Leading or assisting with world-class wildlife viewing (bears, eagles, whales), fishing trips, or kayaking excursions, with a heavy emphasis on safety and local ecology.
Operations & Logistics: Managing “bush” logistics, such as coordinating arrivals by floatplane, handling fuel and water systems in remote areas, and processing catch for fishing guests.
Hospitality Maintenance: Ensuring the physical plant of a lodge or resort is maintained, including light carpentry, generator maintenance, and groundskeeping.

Qualifications:

The “CoolWorks” Mindset: A strong desire to live and work in a rugged, remote environment and a commitment to providing exceptional guest service in unconventional settings.
Adaptability: The ability to work long hours during the peak season (typically May through September) and maintain a positive attitude in variable weather.
Experience: While entry-level “helper” roles are common, specialized roles (like Guides or Lead Cooks) usually require 1–3 years of verifiable experience.
Certifications:
- Guiding: First Aid/CPR (Wilderness First Responder often preferred).
- Food Service: Alaska Food Worker Card.
- Maritime: OUPV (6-pack) license or higher for boat-based roles.

Company Perks (The Seasonal Life):

Subsidized Housing: Most CoolWorks employers in Kodiak provide on-site housing (cabins, dorms, or staff houses) and meals for a low daily fee or as part of the compensation package.
Unparalleled Access: Living in the “Emerald Isle” provides daily access to world-class hiking, fishing, and photography that tourists pay thousands to experience.
Close-Knit Community: Small staff sizes lead to lifelong friendships and a “family” atmosphere that is rare in traditional corporate roles.
Seasonal Bonuses: Many employers offer “End-of-Season” bonuses for employees who complete their full contract.

To apply for this job please visit www.coolworks.com.