Seasonal Cafe Associate in Hillsborough, New Jersey at DORIS DUKE MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION

Title: Seasonal Café Associate

Location: Duke Farms, Hillsborough, N.J.

Reports to: Event and Engagement Manager

Status: Seasonal, part time, non-exempt

How to Apply: Click here to apply. Please submit a résumé. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Located in Hillsborough Township, N.J., Duke Farms is a center for applied conservation and sustainability that restores nature and ecosystems, demonstrates equitable climate transition strategies and engages leaders and visitors with the wonder of nature to spark change. Our wide-ranging sustainability efforts include the operation of a 1,000-acre park and associated infrastructure supporting over 150,000 public visitors a year.

Duke Farms is a center of the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF), whose mission is to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future by investing in artists and the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research, child well-being and greater mutual understanding among diverse communities. In addition to Duke Farms, DDF operates five national grantmaking programs as well as Shangri La, a global center for transformation located in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. DDF’s activities are guided by the will of Doris Duke, who endowed the foundation with financial assets that currently total over $2 billion. (To learn more about the foundation, visit dorisduke.org.)

POSITION

Reporting to the Event and Engagement Manager, the Café Associate enhances the visitor experience at Duke Farms by delivering exceptional service while preparing and serving locally sourced, seasonal food. As the Farm Barn Café evolves from a convenient food option for visitors into a destination restaurant, the Café Associate contributes to this transformation by showcasing high-quality, seasonal cuisine. The Café Associate works closely with a consultant chef to refine culinary offerings and operational practices. Through this work, the Café Associate furthers the organization’s mission by educating visitors and inspiring them to “taste” the benefits of local food systems.

Seasonal employees are typically hired for no more than nine months, beginning in March and continuing through December 2025.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Welcome and assist customers in a friendly and professional manner, ensuring a positive guest experience.
• Accurately and efficiently take and process customer orders, maintaining a high standard of service.
• Prepare and serve food and beverages according to café standards, highlighting the quality and freshness of locally sourced ingredients.
• Operate cash registers and process transactions with accuracy, upholding financial integrity.
• Maintain a clean and organized café environment by cleaning tables, counters and equipment, to provide a pleasant atmosphere for guests and staff.
• Restock supplies as needed, ensuring appropriate inventory levels to support café operations.
• Adhere to food safety and sanitation guidelines, prioritizing the health and safety of our customers and team members.
• Collaborate with the consultant chef and team members to ensure smooth operations and exceptional customer satisfaction.
• Provide outstanding service by addressing customer inquiries or concerns promptly, always striving to exceed expectations.
• Follow foundation policies and procedures, including dress code, punctuality and workplace conduct, fostering a positive and professional workplace culture.
• Provide coverage at the visitor’s desk and bike tent when needed.
• Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of a valid ServSafe Food Handler Certificate and knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices are required.
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn about Duke Farms’ mission of conservation and supporting sustainable, seasonal eating.
• Experience in customer service, preferably in a café or restaurant environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with visitors and team members.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask in a fast-paced setting.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Understanding of the demands of a busy kitchen during peak meal service times.
• Ability to prepare food and beverages according to standard recipes or tailored for customers, including accommodating adjustments like temperature, ingredient quantities or substitutions.
• Ability to follow directions while demonstrating initiative, independence and reliability within established guidelines.
• Ability to navigate the 2,700-plus-acre Duke Farms property as well as travel to other locations, both indoors and outdoors, in various weather conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• A valid driver’s license.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Anticipated hourly rate is $17.
• 15% employer contribution to 401(k).

OUR VALUES

The following values underpin everything we do in pursuit of our mission across the Doris Duke Foundation:

Integrity: We must be honest and ethical in all that we undertake. As a private foundation, we are accountable to the many stakeholders affected by our work.

Excellence: We will insist on the highest standards of performance in fulfilling our mission, will ground our work in best practices and will make decisions based on the best available information.

Openness and Imagination: We will be a listening and learning organization that is responsive to ideas and opinions from a variety of sources. We value imagination and creativity, the ability to think in new ways about the work we do and how we do it.

Collaboration: We value a collaborative and supportive environment in which to advance our mission and objectives. Creating a working environment that promotes trust, honesty and respect within our organizations is as important as earning the trust and respect of our colleagues and peers in the fields in which we work.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We believe in the essential value that a diverse set of perspectives, experiences and abilities brings to the table. Our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice is an ongoing, active engagement reflected in our funding areas, grantees, museums, centers, board and staff. At the core of our work is a dedication to serving and learning from organizations and individuals addressing inequities and working toward a more just, healthy and inclusive society. (Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and how we incorporate this value into our work.)

The Doris Duke Foundation is committed to inclusive hiring and equal employment opportunity. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations and communities to apply. Our recruiting and employment practices adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. We provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation in the job application process is needed, please contact us here.