Barista

Barista The Caff by Mr. Espresso | Downtown Oakland

$18/hr base + tips (total earnings typically $28-32/hr) | Full-time & Part-time | Kaiser Health Benefits

Our family has been roasting coffee in Oakland for nearly 45 years. Mr. Espresso built its reputation on a simple commitment: do it right, every time. When we finally opened our first retail caf The Caff by Mr. Espresso in the heart of Downtown Oakland we brought that same standard with us.

We're not looking for someone to hand cups across a counter. We're looking for a skilled, experienced server or barista who takes genuine pride in their craft, thrives in a fast-paced bar environment, and understands that hospitality is as important as the coffee itself.

What you'll do:

• Work the bar in the Italian tradition greeting guests, taking orders, and delivering drinks with confidence and warmth
  
• Prepare and serve espresso drinks, drip coffee, and specialty beverages to exact standards
  
• Handle down-time tasks, restocking, opening/closing duties, and cash/card processing
  
• Maintain an impeccable, organized, clean workspace at all times
  
• Be a dependable, high-performing member of a small, tight-knit team
  

What we're looking for:

• Minimum 2 years of barista or hospitality experience, ideally at a specialty coffee shop, fine dining restaurant, or another establishment where quality is non-negotiable
  
• Someone who has worked under real standards and knows what it means to operate at a high level
  
• Genuine passion for coffee you drink it, you think about it, you want to keep learning
  
• Excellent customer-facing skills warm, confident, and efficient under pressure
  
• Food Handler's Certificate (or ability to obtain one)
  
• A team player who receives feedback well, asks good questions, and owns their mistakes
  

This is probably not the right role if you're new to coffee, looking for a casual side job, or not yet sure if hospitality is your thing. We love enthusiasm, but this position requires someone ready to hit the ground running.

What we offer:

• $18/hr base pay + tips (total hourly earnings typically $28 32/hr)
  
• Kaiser Health Insurance (30+ hrs/week)
  
• Paid Time Off & Paid Sick Time
  
• Gym Membership (30+ hrs/week)
  
• Free coffee drinks & employee discount on food
  
• Ongoing specialty coffee training and education
  
• Access to coffee events, trade shows, and community activations
  
• The chance to be part of a beloved Oakland institution with deep roots in the craft