Benefits:- 401(k)
- Competitive salary
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
POSITION SUMMARY
The Lead Barista — Food Truck represents Java City, typically without an on-site supervisor, at events served by the company's mobile beverage unit. The role prepares and delivers beverages to Java City's recipe and presentation standards within a 90-second fulfillment target, exercises independent judgment to resolve service, safety, and equipment issues in real time, handles event cash reconciliation, and supports the Food Truck Manager with setup, breakdown, sanitation, and supply management for each assigned event.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Reasonable accommodations will be made per the ADA (42 U.S.C. §12101) and California FEHA (Cal. Gov. Code §12940 et seq.).
Beverage Service, Mobile Unit Operations & Sole-Charge Responsibility
• Prepare and deliver all beverages to Java City's custom menu, recipe, and presentation standards within the 90-second fulfillment standard, a bona fide occupational requirement used as a measurable performance criterion.
• Operate onboard espresso, brewing, and point-of-sale equipment; monitor generator, and water supply levels during service.
• Report to the designated commissary at the assigned muster time; load, secure, and unload supplies and equipment; assist with mobile-unit setup, breakdown, and pre-/post-trip equipment checks.
• Serve as the sole Java City representative at most events; exercise independent judgment to resolve service, equipment, and minor safety issues, escalating to the Food Truck Manager as needed. Count, reconcile, and secure the cash drawer and card settlement totals at event close.
• Exercise authority to suspend service for safety conditions (severe weather, equipment or power failure) and notify the Food Truck Manager promptly. When a second staff member is assigned, direct that person's in-shift tasks as a working lead; this does not include authority to hire, discipline, or terminate.
Food Safety Compliance & Customer Presence
• Maintain the preparation area and equipment in clean, sanitary, guest-ready condition per Java City's PE 1631 permit conditions and the California Retail Food Code (Cal. Health & Saf. Code §113700 et seq.); maintain a valid California Food Handler Card at all times as a condition of employment (SB 476).
• Remain with the mobile unit at the event site for all scheduled shift hours — a bona fide occupational requirement for service availability, food safety compliance, and cash/equipment security under the unit's health permit.
• Deliver prompt, professional customer service and resolve service issues with urgency at every event.
OTHER DUTIES
Additional mobile-unit and customer service tasks may be assigned by the Food Truck Manager based on business needs. This description is not an exhaustive list of all duties.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRED SKILLS
• High school diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and customer-facing food/retail service experience. Prior café, mobile food service, or cash-handling experience preferred.
• Valid California Food Handler Card required as a condition of employment (must be obtained within 30 days of hire if not already held). Must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of Java City's Sacramento-area commissary/dispatch location.
• Ability to memorize and execute a multi-item custom menu with speed and accuracy; ability to exercise independent judgment and make real-time operational decisions without on-site supervision, including cash reconciliation.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
• Work is performed inside an enclosed mobile unit and at outdoor event sites, with exposure to hot liquids, steam, generator noise/heat, and variable weather. Regularly required to stand for the full shift (up to 8 hours); must be able to lift/carry up to 50 lbs individually, with team-lift support for heavier loads.
• Schedule is event-based and may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, communicated by the Food Truck Manager; regular travel to event sites throughout Sacramento and surrounding counties is required.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY & REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
Java City Coffee Roasters is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, or military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under Title VII (42 U.S.C. §2000e), the ADA (42 U.S.C. §12101), the ADEA (29 U.S.C. §621), or California FEHA (Cal. Gov. Code §12900 et seq.). Contact Human Resources to initiate the interactive accommodation process under Cal. Gov. Code §12940(n).
DISCLAIMER & AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT
This job description is not exhaustive; Java City reserves the right to modify duties based on business needs. It does not constitute an employment contract. Employment is at-will under Cal. Lab. Code §2922, subject to California's paid sick leave requirements under the Healthy Workplaces Healthy Families Act as amended by SB 616 (Cal. Lab. Code §245 et seq.).
Remaining with the mobile unit at the event site during scheduled shift hours is a bona fide occupational requirement, essential to service availability, food safety compliance, and cash/equipment security; this does not limit the employee's right to a compliant off-duty meal period under Cal. Lab. Code §512. The residency requirement is a business necessity tied to early muster times and variable event dispatch, applied uniformly and not intended to create a disparate impact on any protected basis under Title VII, FEHA, or other applicable law.
A valid California Food Handler Card is required for continued employment; failure to maintain one may result in removal from scheduled events. Employment is contingent on a background screening conducted per the Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act (Cal. Civ. Code §1786 et seq.), Cal. Lab. Code §432.7, and the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. §1681 et seq.).
Flexible work from home options available.