SD
Food Server - Part Time - San Diego Zoo Safari Park
part-time•Escondido
About this role
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.
HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION
The Food Server performs a variety of moderately difficult duties in greeting and taking orders from restaurant guests, serving guests, keeping assigned tables and areas clean and orderly. This position reports to the Lead Food Server, Manager and Supervisor.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Welcomes and greets guests
- Takes and serves food and beverages orders tableside
- Prepares certain menu items including salads, appetizers, and desserts
- Advises customers’ regarding menu items
- Make Customer Service a top priority
- Politely and professionally answers guests’ questions regarding the Zoo or Safari Park
- Professionally handle difficult situations with employees and guests
- Keeps assigned areas clean, orderly and in a safe condition
- Assists new personnel as needed
- Assists (Lead, Cooks, Manager and Supervisor) as needed
- Assists with special events when needed
- Compliance with the SDZWA and Health Departments uniform standards
- Maintains a passing grade on the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health Food Handlers exams
- Maintains a passing grade on the Environmental Health Department tests
- Adheres to all SDZWA and department policies and practices
- Performs related duties and responsibilities as required
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Mkutano House is an upcoming restaurant concept built around community, connection, and exceptional guest experiences.
We are seeking passionate, reliable, and service-oriented individuals who are excited to help bring this vision to life from the ground up. If you excel in a fast-paced environment, take pride in your craft, and believe outstanding food is best enjoyed alongside genuine hospitality, you will find a strong sense of purpose here. This is more than a position—it is an opportunity to grow with a dedicated team, help shape a new dining destination, and contribute meaningfully from day one.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekdays, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Please note, if you are selected for this role, you will be required to take a Registered Beverage Server (RBS) training course and pass an exam upon hire.
- JOB EXPERIENCE
- At least one year of full service or fine dining restaurant experience.
- SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
- Wine, premium beers and specialty cocktails
- Standard menu items and daily specials
- Cash handling procedures
- Safety and sanitation methods used in the preparation and serving of food
- Basic inventory controls and best practices
- Basic usage and care of standard kitchen equipment and utensils
- Guest service standards and policies
- Operate and understand the cash register system
- Proficiently handle cash and credit card transactions
- Understand and carry out oral and written instructions
- Make simple arithmetic calculations
- Communicate effectively (verbal and written)
- Interact tactfully and courteously with guests and employees
- Work effectively in a team environment
- Multi-task and prioritize to meet the demands of business
- Work in a high volume, fast-paced environment
- Work competently with large diverse groups of people
- Perform required clean-up work
SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER
- Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
- Family Passes
- Complimentary Tickets
- Free Parking at the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park
- Local and In-House Discounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellness Program
IMPORTANT DETAILS
- Location: Escondido, CA
- Position Type: Hourly Part-Time Non-Exempt Union Position - If selected, there will be fees and dues to be paid to the union
- Hourly Rate: $19.50
Fraudulent Recruiting
Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.
If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail [email protected]. If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately.
Be an ally for wildlife by joining our team!
At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we thrive on celebrating our differences. Diversity is vital for the benefit of our team members, our guests, our community, and our wildlife.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to [email protected] and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.
As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. We are not offering sponsorship for this position at this time.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.
What you'll do
- The Food Server greets guests, takes and serves food and beverage orders, and maintains cleanliness in assigned areas. They also assist with special events and ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. SDZWA supports cutting-edge conservation and brings the stories of their work back to two world-famous facilities, the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park—giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work of SDZWA extends from San Diego to strategic and regional conservation “hubs” across the globe, where their strengths—via their “Conservation Toolbox,” including the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bank—are able to effectively align with hundreds of regional partners to improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated efforts. By leveraging these tools in wildlife care and conservation science, and through collaboration with hundreds of partners, SDZWA has reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via news media, social media, their websites, educational resources and the San Diego Zoo Kids channel, which is in children’s hospitals in 13 countries. Success is made possible by the support of members, donors and guests to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, who are Wildlife Allies committed to ensuring All Life Thrives.
Ready to join San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Food Server - Part Time - San Diego Zoo Safari Park do at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance?
As a Food Server - Part Time - San Diego Zoo Safari Park at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, you will: the Food Server greets guests, takes and serves food and beverage orders, and maintains cleanliness in assigned areas. They also assist with special events and ensure compliance with health and safety standards..
Is the Food Server - Part Time - San Diego Zoo Safari Park position at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance remote?
The Food Server - Part Time - San Diego Zoo Safari Park position at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is based in Escondido, California, United States. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.
How do I apply for the Food Server - Part Time - San Diego Zoo Safari Park position at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance?
You can apply for the Food Server - Part Time - San Diego Zoo Safari Park position at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliancedirectly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process.