General Responsibilities:
The Mobile Café Supervisor is responsible for managing the Babcock Center’s Mobile Coffee trailer while providing hands-on, person-centered training in barista skills, customer service, and workplace readiness to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This role combines professional barista service with vocational instruction to help participants develop transferable skills for community-based employment. The Mobile Café Supervisor will be responsible for managing the Mobile Café team. This position requires excellent coffee preparation, strong coaching skills, accurate documentation, adherence to health and safety standards, and professional representation of the Babcock Center in community settings.
Duties and Responsibilities:
-
Operate and maintain the mobile coffee trailer, including opening/closing procedures, cleanliness, and equipment checks.
-
Prepare and serve high-quality coffee, espresso-based beverages, and other menu items to brand standards.
-
Provide on-the-job training, coaching, and supervision to program participants in barista tasks, customer service, and work-readiness skills.
- Utilize person-centered training strategies to promote independence, confidence, and skill mastery.
-
Operate the point-of-sale (POS) system and handle cash or electronic transactions accurately.
-
Ensure all health, safety, and sanitation requirements are met in compliance with company standards as well as local, state, and federal regulations.
-
Document participant attendance, progress, and service data in Therap and other agency systems in a timely and accurate manner.
-
Support participants in meeting vocational goals and preparing for competitive or community-based employment opportunities.
-
Safely and in compliance with motor vehicle laws, transports and operates the coffee trailer to scheduled community events, partner sites, and high-traffic locations.
-
Ensure inventory and supply levels are monitored weekly and replenished in advance of scheduled events or operations.
- Represent the Babcock Center professionally at all times, fostering positive relationships with customers, vendors, and community partners.
-
Report any maintenance, safety, or operational issues to management promptly.
-
Adapt work processes as necessary to ensure inclusion, comfort, and success for all participants.
- May serve as the sole on-site staff during coffee truck operations.
-
Accurately enter and reconcile participant attendance and ISP data within established timelines.
- Maintain updated records of sales, participant progress, and program outcomes, with periodic reports submitted to division leadership.
-
Provide support for various outreach or community events, assisting with logistics, set-up, and participant engagement.
-
Contribute marketing content to be used in social media outlets, newsletters, etc. to ensure the promotion of the coffee trailer and related business endeavors.
- Provide coverage or administrative support in Individual Employment, Career Prep, WAC, or Mobile Crews as assigned, during coffee truck downtime.
-
Manage staffing needs and schedules to meet the requirements of the Coffee Trailer business.
- Manage Mobile café employees, including, but not limited to, performance management, goal management, interviewing, and staff recommendations.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Prior barista, coffee service, or food experience strongly preferred.
- Basic computer skills, with familiarity in using POS software or willingness to learn.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and adapt communication for individuals with intellectual disabilities or special needs.
-
Prior experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities or special needs in vocational, educational, or training settings preferred.
- Familiarity with assistive tools or techniques that aid in working with individuals with disabilities.
-
Ability to demonstrate patience, empathy, and adaptability when working with team members with different abilities.
- Knowledge of inventory control procedures and systems.
-
Maintains a valid driver’s license and approved driving privileges within the agency.
Typical Mental Demands:
This position requires the ability to multitask and manage stress associated with a fast-paced work environment. The employee must be able to adapt to changing priorities and locations, grasp and apply new ideas, and formulate decisions and act upon them appropriately. Strong problem-solving skills are essential, along with the ability to maintain attention to detail while performing repetitive tasks. The role requires emotional resilience, patience, and the ability to communicate effectively with various personalities at all levels, including individuals with varying abilities and support needs. The employee must be able to follow established procedures, exercise sound judgment in unexpected situations, and maintain the confidentiality of all sensitive information.
Typical Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for extended periods, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to operate coffee-making equipment, operate the coffee trailer and related vehicles, and work in varying weather conditions.
Work Environment:
Work is performed both inside the coffee truck and in outdoor community settings. The noise level can be moderate to loud. This role may require travel between multiple locations and occasional participation in special events.
Work hours must be flexible to meet the needs of the Mobile Coffee trailer and may include “non-business hours” such as early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
Hazards/Potential Hazards:
The employee may be exposed to hot liquids, steam, and heated equipment such as espresso machines, coffee brewers, and hot water dispensers. There is potential for slips, trips, and falls on wet or uneven surfaces inside and outside the coffee truck. Work involves the use of sharp tools and utensils, as well as exposure to cleaning chemicals and sanitizing agents. The role requires lifting and carrying supplies or equipment weighing up to 50pounds and working in outdoor environments with varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and humidity. The position also involves operating a motor vehicle in traffic and maneuvering in tight spaces or event locations. The employee may interact with members of the public, including situations involving difficult or confrontational customers, and must work in close quarters within the coffee truck, which may contribute to physical strain or limited mobility.
