People Coffee has been Live Oak's neighborhood coffee shop for 21 years, and we've just opened our second location — The Atrium Café at 701 Ocean St. We're growing, and we're hiring experienced baristas for both — immediate shifts available now.
Please read carefully — we're looking for a specific skill set.
This is a hands-on, manual bar. We pull shots on a La Marzocco Linea Classic AV4 and grind to order. You must already know how to dial in a grinder, pull and read a shot, and steam/texture milk by hand. If your espresso experience is limited to super-automatic machines (the kind that grind and pours at one touch like the Mastrena or similar), this won't be the right fit — and that's completely okay.
Why work here: This is a real espresso program run by people who care about the craft. Our signature espresso is Black No. 1 — our house blend, a complex, all-Arabica medium-dark blend roasted on Sivetz fluid-bed roasters capturing the typical flavor notes of a classic Southern Italian profile, post roast blend built from beans across the coffee belt: Sumatra, Colombia, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Brazil, and India. It's the only espresso we pull, so you'll get to know it deeply — grinding to order, dialing your own shots, and being trusted to make drinks the right way instead of pushing a button. While you're on the clock your coffee drinks are free, and you get a bagel or croissant sandwich on us each shift.
Indeed won't let us post a photo of the bar, so here's what it's built with: La Marzocco Swan grinders w/custom 83mm conical burrs, custom Pullman handles, Big-step tamper & 875 filter baskets w/bottomless La Marzocco portafilters. Acaia and Fellow scales, and a full distribution setup (Sworks WD, Sworks funnel, Barista Hustle AutoComb blk.). If that means something to you, you'll feel right at home.
You're a strong fit if you can:
- Lock a portafilter into the group and pull a balanced shot without thinking about it
- Dial a grind and adjust on the fly when shots run fast or slow
- Steam micro-foam for lattes, flat whites, and cappuccinos
- Keep a clean, fast bar through a rush
- Greet regulars, take orders accurately, and make people feel welcome
Requirements:
- Hands-on experience on a manual or semi-automatic espresso machine (required)
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, team environment
- Clear communicator, in person and in writing
- Able to lift/move up to 25 lbs and stand a full shift
- Available weekends and holidays; hours and location can shift with business needs
- 18 or older
Schedule (3–5 days/week, part- or full-time):
- 5:30am–12:30pm + float as needed
- 12:30pm–6:30pm + float as needed
- 6:30am start, shift ends between 2:30–4:30pm depending on the day + float as needed
Pay & perks: $16.90–$19.50/hr depending on experience. Tips have historically averaged $8–$12/hr on top. Free coffee drinks and a bagel sandwich each shift. Paid sick time, employee discount, flexible schedule, and paid on-boarding to our bar and POS.
Where you'll work: You'll be hired to cover both locations — Live Oak (1200 17th Ave) and The Atrium (701 Ocean St). They're a short hop apart, and shifts flex between them as business needs shift.
Our interview is simple: come make me a coffee. No long trial shift, no unpaid week — just a cappuccino and a flat white, so I can see how you dial in, pull your shots, and texture milk.
To apply: Apply here, in person at 1200 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, or call Jason at 831-295-3738. In your reply, name the make and model of the espresso machine and grinder you've used most.
Pay: Up to $19.50 per hour
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- What's your go-to espresso recipe/ratio — dose in, yield out, and shot time? Brew temp + roast level for extra credit.
Work Location: In person
