Model Server Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Join us in changing people’s lives! The Hospitality Training Academy (HTA) is a non-profit organization and a labor-management partnership between UNITE HERE Local 11 and contributing hotel and food service employers in Southern California and the state of Arizona. Our mission is to build a strong workforce for the hospitality industry and provide well-trained workers for hospitality and food service employers. Our vision is to help people move from poverty to economic independence through life-changing careers in the hospitality industry.

JOB SUMMARY:

Provide hands-on instruction in professional restaurants and banquet service. Train students in proper table setting, dining room setup, breakdown, and resetting procedures.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

·       Teach formal and casual food service techniques, including plated, buffet, and banquet service.
Demonstrate proper tray handling, plate carrying, serving, clearing, and bussing techniques for both food and beverages.

·       Train students in banquet setup, including tables, chairs, linens, place settings, service stations, and event equipment.

·       Teach professional guest interaction, hospitality etiquette, communication, and customer service.

·       Train participants to read, follow and execute banquet event orders (BEOs), floor plans, seating charts, and other event instructions.

·       Teach proper food and beverage presentation and service procedures.

·       Provide instruction in menu knowledge, common food terminology, allergens, and dietary restrictions.

·       Teach safe food handling and sanitation, personal hygiene, and workplace safety practices.

·       Train participants in teamwork and effective and appropriate communication with servers, bussers, bartenders, culinary staff, supervisors, and other hospitality staff.

·       Provide instruction in appropriate communication with guests.

·       Teach and continuously model workplace expectations related to attendance, punctuality, dependability, teamwork, guest service, grooming, uniform standards, professionalism, and reliability consistent with hospitality industry standards.

·       Prepare participants to work efficiently in fast-paced restaurants, hotel banquets, airports, entertainment venues, and large-scale catered events.

·       Conduct realistic restaurant and banquet simulations to develop speed, accuracy, organization, and professional service skills.

·       Observe and evaluate participant performance and provide immediate coaching and corrective feedback.

·       Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and industry-standard training environment.

·       Maintain required attendance, training, competency, and participant progress records.

·       Collaborate with program staff and employer partners to ensure training reflects current hospitality industry expectations and contributes to future curriculum development.

·       Assist participants in developing the job-readiness skills necessary to successfully obtain and maintain employment in the hospitality industry.

·       Perform other related duties as assigned to support HTA’s efficient operation.

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES:

·       Experience with banquet setup, plated service, buffet service, receptions, and event breakdown.

·       Demonstrated proficiency in table service, tray service, food and beverage service, table settings, and guest service.

·       Ability to read and follow banquet event orders (BEOs), floor plans, menus, and event instructions.

·       Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, allergens, and proper food-handling practices, and current certification or the ability to obtain certification as a ServSafe Food Manager Instructor/Proctor.

·       Strong customer service, communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.

·       Ability to demonstrate hospitality skills clearly and provide hands-on coaching and clear, constructive feedback.

·       Strong verbal and written communication in English.

·       Ability to maintain accurate attendance and training records

·       Basic computer skills for email, documentation, and instructional materials

·       Prior experience training, supervising, mentoring, or coaching hospitality employees strongly preferred.

·       Teaching or vocational training experience preferred but not required for candidates with substantial industry experience.

·       Ability to work effectively with individuals entering the hospitality workforce who come from very diverse backgrounds and have varying levels of education and previous work experience.

·       Professional appearance, conduct, dependability, and ability to model industry workplace expectations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

·       Associates degree or equivalent required; hospitality, culinary, vocational education, or related postsecondary training preferred.

·       Minimum 5 to 7 years of professional restaurant, banquet, catering, hotel, or high-volume food service experience.

·       Strong working knowledge of professional restaurant and banquet service terminology, standards and procedures.

·       Experience working in high-volume hospitality environments such as hotels, entertainment venues, convention facilities, airports, or large-scale catered events preferred.

·       Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) certification or equivalent required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

·       Ability to stand for extended periods and safely perform the physical duties associated with restaurant and banquet service.

·       Ability to frequently bend, stoop, reach, twist, push, pull, and perform repetitive movements.

·       Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally, with or without reasonable accommodation.

·       Ability to carry serving trays, plates, glassware, food service supplies, and banquet equipment safely.

·       Ability to push and maneuver loaded service carts, bussing carts, and banquet equipment.

·       Ability to assist with setting up, moving, and breaking down tables, chairs, service stations, and other banquet equipment.

·       Sufficient manual dexterity to handle plates, glassware, utensils, linens, serving equipment, and other food service items safely.

·       Ability to demonstrate restaurant and banquet service techniques repeatedly throughout the workday.

·       Ability to safely navigate busy kitchens, dining rooms, banquet areas, and training environments.

Ability to work in environments that may include heat, cold, noise, wet floors, and frequent movement.

Join us in changing peoples' lives! The Hospitality Training Academy (HTA) is a non-profit organization and a labor-management partnership between UNITE HERE Local 11 and contributing hotel and food service employers in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, and the state of Arizona. The HTA is designed to improve Los Angeles' tourism and hospitality industry by increasing the skill level of its workforce and moving workers up the career ladder. Before the pandemic, the hospitality industry was one of the largest growing sec- tors in Southern California, with a projected growth rate higher than all other jobs in the region, and the nation. We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our HTA team as we help the industry recover after pandemic.