How to Write a Barista Job Description [Template Included]

Are you trying to write a barista job description? It’s not easy, we know. What should you write down to find the right applicant for your coffee shop?

This post will provide everything you need to include in a barista job description. We also include a template so you can quickly customize it for your needs.

Job Brief 

You need to identify the fundamental qualities and skills you’d like to see in a potential barista.

What does a barista do daily? They package coffee blends; prepare coffee, tea, and other beverages. In small coffee shops, baristas can also have other responsibilities such as clarifying menu items to customers, cleaning the bar areas, taking orders, and handling payments.

Start by this short description:

“We’re looking for a friendly, dedicated barista who is enthusiastic about beverage preparation and education. You’ll greet customers, answer their questions about the menu and items, take orders and handle payment. You’ll also keep your workspace and dining area clean and well-stocked, following health regulations. You need to continually learn about quality control and decoration techniques.”

Try to emphasize the traits that you look for in an ideal barista for your business. All you need is an organized, friendly, efficient person, with vast knowledge and experience in making beverages. Moreover, that person needs to have good communication skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

Here’s where you list some of the key roles that the prospective employee will perform on a daily basis. You don’t have to mention every task, only the most important ones. By adding the words “other jobs as needed” to the end of the list, you can cover all your bases. 

A barista’s responsibilities may include:

• Greet customers, introduce specials or new menu

• Describe menu items and make product recommendations to customers

• Take orders and payments

• Prepare foods such as sandwiches and baked goods

• Grind and blend coffee beans, brew coffee and tea, and serve customers

• Package food and beverage for retail

• Clean and sanitize the bar area, utensils, and appliances

• Stock supplies and ingredients

• Learn about brewing processes, beer blends, food processing, and presentation techniques

• Take inventory of products in display cases, tables, and behind the counter, and replenish them

• Work as part of a high-energy team

• Follow all food safety and quality control regulations

Qualifications and Skills

Education requirements, experience, personality characteristics, technical skills, and required certifications should all be listed in this section. Include some of the qualities of a great barista that you’ve identified previously. 

• A high school diploma or its equivalent is required.

• Preferably, prior experience with food and beverage preparation or customer service.

• Training and a desire to learn more about food and beverage preparation are needed.

• Listening and communication skills.

• The ability to walk, bend, and stand for long periods of time.

• Job availability at peak hours, such as evenings, early mornings, weekends, and holidays.

• Friendly and engaging demeanor.

• Customer satisfaction and service excellence are important to us.

• Willingness to function in a fast-paced atmosphere as part of a high-energy, productive team.

Download a barista job description template here

Writing a barista job description isn’t difficult. The important thing is to get all your requirements right. We’ve included a template so you can customize it depending on your coffee shop’s scale and your current situation.