The Restaurant Server is responsible for providing attentive, professional, and knowledgeable food and beverage service to guests while creating a warm and welcoming dining experience. This position takes orders, serves food and beverages, answers guest questions, communicates with the kitchen and bar, processes payments, and helps maintain a clean, organized, and guest-ready dining area.
The Restaurant Server must provide excellent hospitality, follow Mission Ranch service standards, comply with food safety and alcohol service requirements, and work cooperatively with hosts, bussers, bartenders, barbacks, cooks, expeditors, managers, and other team members to ensure smooth restaurant operations.
Key Responsibilities
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Greet guests promptly and warmly in accordance with Mission Ranch hospitality standards
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Present menus, explain daily specials, answer questions, and make recommendations when appropriate
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Take accurate food and beverage orders and enter them into the point-of-sale system promptly
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Confirm if there are any allergies, and special instructions before submitting orders and immediately communicate with the manager on duty and the chef
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Serve food and beverages in a timely, professional, and courteous manner
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Monitor assigned tables throughout service to ensure guests have what they need
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Check back with guests after food is delivered to confirm satisfaction and address concerns promptly
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Communicate any issues immediately with the manager on duty to ensure any concerns are addressed
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Follow all responsible alcohol service procedures, including verifying identification and refusing service when required
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Maintain knowledge of menu items, ingredients, preparation methods, allergens, beverages, and available substitutions
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Accurately process guest checks, payments, gift cards, and other transactions according to Company procedures
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Handle cash, credit cards, receipts, and tip reporting accurately and honestly
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Contact the manager on duty to process discounts, comps, voids or payment corrections
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Follow Company policies regarding tips, tip pooling, tip distribution, and gratuities
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Assist with opening, closing, side work, stocking, polishing, and dining room preparation
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Maintain clean and organized service stations, tables, chairs, menus, trays, and dining areas
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Assist with clearing, resetting, and pre-bussing tables as needed
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Support coworkers during peak service periods to ensure efficient and consistent guest service
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Assist with the restaurant’s special functions such as brunch and holiday service as assigned
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Report guest complaints, service delays, safety concerns, injuries, equipment issues, and maintenance needs to a supervisor promptly
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Follow all food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, cash-handling, and Company policies and procedures
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Maintain professional and respectful working relationships with guests, coworkers, supervisors, vendors, and management
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Follow proper Company uniform and grooming policies
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Other duties as assigned
Qualifications & Skills
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CA Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) certification required
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CA Food Handler Card required
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Strong mathematical and cash-handling skills
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Excellent communication, teamwork, and guest service skills
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Ability to multitask efficiently during high-volume service
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Ability to work flexible shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
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Must be at least 21 years of age (per California alcohol service regulations)
Education & Experience
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High school diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience required
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Minimum 2 years of restaurant serving experience in a quality restaurant, hotel, or hospitality setting
Physical Requirements
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Stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift
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Lift, carry, push, or pull items weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
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Bend, stoop, reach, twist, and move safely in confined service areas
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Use hands and fingers to handle trays, plates, glassware, utensils, bar supplies, tickets, payment devices, and service equipment
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See sufficiently to read tickets, menus, labels, guest checks, payment information, and measuring tools
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Ability to communicate effectively in a busy restaurant environment
Work Environment
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A fast-paced, guest-service environment with frequent interruptions and time-sensitive demands
- Moderate to high noise levels during peak service hours from guests, music, and restaurant equipment
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Indoor and occasional outdoor exposure, including variable temperatures when greeting or seating guests near patios or entryway
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Bright or dim lighting conditions depending on time of day and section of the restaurant
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Proximity to kitchen and service areas, which may include exposure to food aromas, cleaning chemicals, and hot surfaces
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Occasional contact with moving mechanical parts, such as door mechanisms, service carts, or kitchen equipment
Mission Ranch provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Mission Ranch is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law, and participates in E-Verify.
