SPECIALTY COFFEE BARISTA

Jess Bakeshop is an independent artisan bakery built around craft, quality, creativity, and hospitality. We make sourdough breads, pastries, sweets, and a growing selection of specialty beverages—and we're looking for an experienced specialty coffee professional to be an important part of that experience.

This Is an Experienced Position

This isn't a position for someone looking to learn the basics of espresso. 

We're looking for someone who already knows how to work a specialty coffee bar, understands what makes a great espresso drink, has strong latte-art skills, and enjoys creating exceptional beverages from scratch.

If you care about coffee, notice the details, enjoy experimenting with flavors, and take pride in putting a great drink in someone's hands, we'd like to meet you.

Please read this section before applying.

We are specifically seeking candidates with professional experience in specialty coffee—ideally in an independent café, boutique coffee shop, specialty roaster, third-wave coffee environment, or another quality-focused operation.

You should be able to step behind the bar on day one and confidently:

  • Dial in espresso and adjust throughout the day
  • Consistently produce excellent espresso-based drinks
  • Pour quality latte art
  • Prepare specialty beverages without relying entirely on pre-made ingredients
  • Understand how to balance flavor and adjust recipes when something isn't right
  • Work efficiently during a high-volume rush
  • Maintain a clean, organized, well-stocked bar while serving customers

This is not an entry-level barista position.

One of the things we're most excited about at Jess Bakeshop is creating beverages that are distinctive and fit the character of our bakery.

You'll have an opportunity to contribute creatively to our drink program. We want someone who can think beyond a standard menu and understands how to develop a drink—not simply follow instructions.

You may be asked to:

  • Develop seasonal and limited-time beverages
  • Create house-made syrups and sauces
  • Develop cold foams and other drink components
  • Experiment with flavor combinations
  • Taste, evaluate, and adjust recipes
  • Help turn an idea into a polished menu drink
  • Maintain consistency once a recipe has been finalized

If you've created drinks or beverage components at previous cafés, tell us about them when you apply.

The Reality of Our Bakeshop

Jess Bakeshop can get very busy.

During peak periods, customers may be lined up out the door and multiple drinks and food orders may be moving through the operation simultaneously. We need someone who becomes more focused—not less focused—when the volume increases.

You should be comfortable:

  • Working quickly without becoming careless
  • Managing several drink orders at once
  • Prioritizing tasks independently
  • Communicating clearly with the team
  • Keeping the bar moving during a rush
  • Maintaining drink quality under pressure
  • Providing friendly, professional service even when the café is packed

We're looking for someone who can look at a busy bar and instinctively understand what needs to happen next.

If you need constant direction during a rush, this probably isn't the right position.

You'll Be Part of the Whole Bakery

We're a small independent business, so everyone contributes beyond their primary role.

While coffee and beverages will be your specialty, you'll also help keep the overall operation running smoothly. Depending on the needs of the day, this may include:

  • Bakery preparation
  • Packaging products
  • Restocking
  • Washing dishes
  • Cleaning
  • Moving supplies
  • Supporting other team members
  • Keeping shared work areas organized

We're looking for someone who sees what needs to be done and pitches in.

What Makes Someone a Great Fit

The strongest candidates will have:

  • Professional specialty coffee experience
  • Excellent espresso preparation and dialing-in skills
  • Strong latte-art ability
  • Experience working in a high-quality independent café or similar environment
  • An understanding of specialty coffee beyond simply making menu drinks
  • Experience creating or modifying beverage recipes
  • A strong sense of taste and attention to detail
  • The ability to work independently
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills
  • A genuine interest in hospitality
  • A clean, organized approach to work
  • The ability to remain calm and effective during very busy service

We're especially interested in people who are curious, creative, technically capable, and proud of their craft.

Physical Requirements

This is an active, hands-on bakery and café position. You should be comfortable standing for extended periods and regularly lifting, carrying, stocking, cleaning, and moving supplies.

Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds is required.

Tell Us About Your Coffee Experience

Please don't send us only a resume and a generic application.

To help us identify experienced specialty coffee professionals, please include the following with your application:

1. Your specialty coffee background
Tell us which independent cafés, specialty coffee shops, roasters, or other quality-focused coffee businesses you've worked for and how long you worked there.

2. Your technical experience
Tell us about your espresso, latte-art, and specialty beverage experience.

3. Your creativity
Give us a few examples of drinks, syrups, sauces, cold foams, or other beverage components you've personally developed.

4. What you enjoy about specialty coffee
A few sentences are enough. We want to get a sense of what you care about when you're behind the bar.

Applications that don't demonstrate relevant specialty coffee experience may not be considered.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay: Competitive and based on experience

Benefits:

  • Employee discount

Work location: In person

Interested in Joining Us?

If you're interested and have the required experience, we'd love to hear from you.  Please email us with your resume at jessbakeshopteam@gmail.com.  Thank you!