Coffeehouse Barista

Make lives meaningful through making.

Who We Are

Penland School of Craft is an international center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 420 acres in the NC Mountains, Penland has 16 teaching studios and 60 historic and contemporary buildings. We are an equal-opportunity employer with a staff of 50+. Penland operates with a $54 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $8.4 million. We are located about an hour northeast of Asheville, NC. 

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Penland School of Craft, we believe that fostering a climate of equity, inclusion, diversity, and antiracism are essential to our work. We are committed to creating a campus community free of discrimination, and we welcome everyone who supports this commitment. 

Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and other people who identify as people of color or BIPOC individuals are encouraged to apply, as are people holding other marginalized identities related to gender, sexual orientation, ability, and class background.

 

Reports to: Coffee House Manager Department: Operations Employment Status: Seasonal part-time  (February - November; may include some time in January)

FLSA Status: Non-exempt Start date: ASAP Last Updated:  October 13, 2025

Position Summary

The Coffee House Barista is responsible for maintaining good customer relations, preparing and serving menu items as requested, performing daily clean-up, and operating a cash register. This position reports to the coffee house manager and is a part-time (20-25 hours per week), non-exempt, seasonal position. Evening and weekend hours are required. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Works the counter with the coffee house manager
• Operates the cash register 
• Makes coffee, other drinks, and food to order 
• Completes shift duties as outlined by the coffee house manager 
• Completes daily and weekly clean up
• Uses good hygiene practices in the handling of all food items
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Must have completed high school or equivalent, be at least 18 years of age. You must be able to perform basic mathematical calculations using a cash register. Must be able to multitask, have transportation to and from the school, and possess good customer service skills. Foodservice experience, including food prep and wait staff experience, is preferred. 

Physical Demands

The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls, and talk fluently and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and to walk in areas of the campus with uneven terrain. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Compensation & Benefits

The starting wage for this position is $16.40 per hour for 20-25 hours per week. This is a part-time, seasonal position that mostly works from mid-February through early November. There may be a few weeks in January when this position can work. The position is eligible for sick and paid time off, along with life insurance.