FULL JOB DESCRIPTION
Prospect is a year-round retreat comprised of 49 modern cabins, a pool house, saunas, a boat launch, and the Cliff House. It is situated on 30 acres along the edges of Prospect Lake in Egremont, in the Berkshire Mountains.
Reimagined by a local design team rooted in the community, Prospect ushers in a new era of lakeside recreation and reconnection.
The Cliff House is the heart of Prospect and serves as a gathering place for tourists and locals alike. It offers multiple meal periods, including a morning-to-afternoon menu and an all-day coffee and bar program that culminates in fullservice dinners. The menu draws inspiration from modern European café culture and prioritizes sourcing ingredients from local agricultural vendors whenever possible.
Beyond the restaurant, Prospect hosts private events across the property — weddings, corporate retreats, buyouts, rehearsal dinners, welcome receptions, poolside and lakeside gatherings, and private dining in the Cliff House. Our on call event team is what makes that program run.
PURPOSE OF POSITION
The On Call Event Server executes private events at Prospect with precision, warmth, and calm. This is an event-first role: the majority of shifts are banquet-style service tied to a booked event. The same team member is also the first call when the restaurant needs coverage for a call-out, a high-volume night, or a holiday, so comfort moving between banquet service and à la carte service is a significant advantage.
In this role, one must pay close attention to details such as timing, dietary requests, event flow, and the overall tone of guest interactions, while upholding PROSPECT & THE CLIFF HOUSE'S hospitality and steps of service.
POSITION OVERVIEW
On Call Event Servers work under an event captain or manager to set, execute, and break down events of all sizes — from a 12-guest private dinner to a 150-guest wedding. Work is assigned shift by shift; there is no fixed weekly schedule. Reliability, responsiveness, and quality of work directly determine how many shifts a team member is offered.
A core principle of being a member of THE CLIFF HOUSE is our commitment to continuous food and beverage education. All event staff attend the pre-event briefing, and all servers participate in the same training and onboarding process regardless of past experience.
SCHEDULING & AVAILABILITY
● Shifts are offered as needed. There are no guaranteed hours, and this position is not eligible for benefits tied to full-time status.
● Booked events are typically offered [1–3 weeks] in advance. Restaurant coverage shifts may be offered with as little as [24–48 hours] notice.
● Team members are expected to accept or decline a shift offer within [24 hours] so the floor can be staffed.
● Minimum availability of [two weekend shifts per month] is expected to remain active on the on call list. Peak season runs May through October, plus the holiday period.
● Event details — call time, uniform, floorplan, timeline, and menu — are distributed in advance via [scheduling platform / BEO]. Staff are expected to review them before arrival.
● Once a shift is accepted, it is a commitment. Late cancellations and no-shows affect the event and will reduce or end future shift offers.
● If an event is cancelled or reduced by the client, Prospect will notify scheduled staff as early as possible. [Insert cancellation-pay policy, if any.]
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / CORE RESPONSIBILITIESEvent Service
● Read and execute the Banquet Event Order (BEO): guest count, timeline, coursing, dietary restrictions, bar package, floorplan, and special requests.
● Set and break down event spaces — tables, chairs, linen, place settings, polished glassware, buffets, chafing dishes, bars, beverage stations, and lighting.
● Execute synchronized banquet service: coordinated drops and clears, tray service, passed hors d'oeuvres, butlerpassed sparkling wine, wine and beverage service, and buffet attendance.
● Maintain the room throughout the event — bussing, resetting, clearing glassware, and keeping sightlines and floors clean without interrupting the event.
● Weddings: work to the planner's timeline and hold service around toasts, first dance, and cake cutting.
Coordinate with planners, photographers, and DJs. Exercise discretion with family dynamics and guest requests.
● Corporate retreats: execute breakfast and coffee setups, mid-morning and afternoon breaks, plated or buffet lunches, and evening receptions. Maintain confidentiality regarding anything overheard in a meeting space.
● Transport equipment, product, and place settings across the property, including to the pool house, lakeside, tented, and cabin areas.
● Work outdoors in varied weather and adapt quickly to weather calls and last-minute room or location changes.
● Take direction from the event captain quickly and without friction, and communicate clearly with the kitchen and bar.
● Track and communicate allergies and dietary restrictions accurately, from BEO to plate to guest.
Restaurant Coverage
● Confidently know the menu alongside ingredients and their cooking methods.
● Run food gracefully following the correct service steps.
● Possess strong familiarity with table and position numbers throughout all dining areas.
● Be efficient with the steps of service and work within the framework of correct timing.
● Support the floor as needed — sections, food running, expo, host stand, or bar back — depending on the night's needs.
All Shifts
● Stay authentic and warm with guest communications.
● Maintain a calm and positive attitude on the floor and in the kitchen.
● Ask for help or clarification from leadership with ease.
● Attend the pre-shift or pre-event briefing and participate in ongoing food and beverage training.
● Ask for the State ID of any guest who looks under 45 years. We all share responsibility for safe service.
● Complete opening, closing, and post-event breakdown protocols, including inventory return and equipment storage.
QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESS
● At least two years of experience in a hospitality role. Banquet, catering, or wedding service experience is strongly preferred.
● Up-to-date TIPS certification (or equivalent alcohol server certification). ServSafe is not required for this position.
● Reliable transportation. Prospect is in a rural location with no public transit, and events frequently end late.
● Availability for nights, weekends, and holidays, including the full wedding season.
● Comfortable carrying a fully loaded tray and working large-format service.
● Discretion and professionalism at private events. Guests are often celebrating, grieving, or conducting business, and staff are expected to be present without being intrusive.
● Impeccable communication skills, written and verbal, and a positive approach to problem-solving.
● Attention to detail and an understanding of the importance of consistency — in banquet service, every plate on the floor must match.
● A high level of personal cleanliness.
● Flexibility, and the ability to work under pressure and stay calm in difficult situations.
● Passion for food, exceptional work ethic, and dedication.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
We expect our staff to adhere to all CLIFF HOUSE policies and procedures created to comply with the restaurant industry's federal and state safety and sanitation regulations.
Events take place indoors and outdoors across a 30-acre lakeside property, in all seasons and in varied weather. Surfaces include gravel, grass, docks, and stairs. Breaks are scheduled around service needs and may vary from shift to shift. Staff will be standing throughout their shift.
Staff will comply with the Dress Code Policy, including appropriate footwear and uniforms for a professional environment. Event uniform requirements may differ from restaurant uniform requirements and will be specified with each shift offer.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
All staff must be able to stand and walk for long periods, often six to ten hours for a full event. They must frequently reach, bend, and climb stairs. They must be able to lift up to 50 lbs, firmly grasp trays, plates, and glassware, carry a fully loaded tray at shoulder height, and push or pull loaded carts over uneven outdoor terrain.
COMPENSATION
● Hourly wage of $20-$50/hour for event shifts, plus a share of the event service charge as distributed under Prospect's service charge policy.
● Uniform requirements and any provided uniform pieces will be reviewed at onboarding.
Prospect is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other basis prohibited by Federal, State, or local law.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Prospect may amend a job description at any time with or without notice.
Pay: $20.00 - $50.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
