Job Overview: Barista / Café Worker (North Pole, AK)

Polar Ice Center is seeking a customer-focused Barista / Café Worker to join their team in North Pole, Alaska. As a premier hockey rink and community hub, the Polar Ice Center relies on its café to provide a warm, welcoming environment for athletes and spectators alike.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys a “community center” atmosphere and thrives in a high-energy environment during hockey games and public skate sessions.

Key Responsibilities & Daily Tasks

Beverage & Food Service

Handcrafted Drinks: Prepare and serve a variety of hot and cold beverages, including espresso-based drinks (lattes, cappuccinos), teas, and smoothies.
Food Handling: Manage light food preparation and presentation for items like pastries, sandwiches, and snacks.
POS Accuracy: Take customer orders and operate the Point-of-Sale system with precision.

Operations & Maintenance

Hygiene Standards: Maintain a clean and organized workspace, ensuring counters, equipment, and seating areas meet all food safety regulations.
Logistics: Assist with inventory management and restocking supplies to ensure the café is ready for busy game nights.
Shift Management: Participate in opening and closing duties, including deep cleaning and cashing out drawers.

Qualifications & Requirements

Core Requirements

Certification: Must possess a valid Food Handlers Card.
Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to greet customers and answer menu questions effectively.
Availability: Must be flexible, as nights and weekends are the prime operating hours for the rink.
Attributes: High attention to detail and a commitment to quality and cleanliness.

Preferred Experience

Previous experience in a café, coffee shop, or hospitality setting.
Basic knowledge of coffee preparation techniques and commercial espresso equipment.

Salary, Schedule & Benefits

Pay Range: $15.00 – $25.00 per hour (highly competitive for the area).
Job Type: Full-time, Part-time, or Seasonal options available depending on the candidate.
Flexibility: The rink offers flexible scheduling, though it is heavily weighted toward evening and weekend shifts.
Environment: A social, fast-paced “In Person” work location.

Why This Role?

The Polar Ice Center is more than just a rink; it’s a gathering place for North Pole families. Working here allows you to be at the heart of the action. With a pay scale reaching up to $25/hour, it is one of the highest-paying barista opportunities in the region, offering significant financial reward for those who can handle the “rush” of a hockey game crowd.

Application Information

Interested candidates should apply in person or through the rink’s hiring portal. Be prepared to answer whether you are interested in working only in the coffee shop or if you are willing to assist in other areas of the rink as needed.

Full Job Description

The Polar Ice Center is a premier family-oriented sports complex in North Pole, Alaska, dedicated primarily to ice hockey, figure skating, and community recreation. It serves as a central hub for the Fairbanks and North Pole areas, featuring an indoor rink, a pro shop (Polar Sports), and a café. Working here involves maintaining a safe, high-energy environment for athletes and families, particularly during the busy winter hockey season and community public skate sessions.

Typical Roles & Responsibilities:

Ice Crew & Maintenance: Assisting with ice rink preparation, including resurfacing (Zamboni operation), dasher wall maintenance, and marking hockey lines. Logging compressor levels and ensuring the facility is safe for high-speed skating events.
Café & Concessions: Preparing “concession-style” menu items such as burgers, sandwiches, and hot beverages. This role involves food prep, cash management, and maintaining high sanitation standards in a fast-paced environment.
Front Desk & Pro Shop: Greeting guests, managing ice time bookings through the facility app, and assisting with retail sales or skate sharpening services at Polar Sports.
Safety & Guest Services: Enforcing rink rules during public sessions, assisting with skate rentals, and ensuring guest satisfaction for birthday parties and local tournaments.
Supervisory Roles: For Lead positions, responsibilities include cash management, employee oversight, and time management of on-ice activities to ensure shifts run smoothly.

Qualifications:

Skills: Strong customer service and communication skills are essential. Knowledge of hockey or figure skating is a significant plus but often not required for entry-level roles.
Experience: Many roles are entry-level; however, supervisory or maintenance positions may require 1–2 years of relevant retail or facilities experience.
Certifications:
- Food Service: Ability to obtain an Alaska Food Worker Card for café roles.
- Driver’s License: A valid license is typically required for maintenance and Zamboni roles.
Availability: Flexibility to work nights and weekends, as these are the peak operating hours for the facility.
Physicality: Ability to stand for long periods and work in a cold environment (rink temperatures usually stay between 10–15°F).

Company Benefits:

Community Impact: Working in a safe, family-focused environment that supports local youth sports and community health.
Flexible Scheduling: Part-time and seasonal options are common, often accommodating students or those with other primary commitments.
Skill Development: Opportunity to learn specialized facility management skills, such as ice resurfacing and commercial refrigeration logging.
Employee Perks: Potential discounts on gear at the pro shop or food at the café.

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