Lead Barista

The role

This is not an entry-level barista job. We're hiring a Lead — the steady, dependable person who keeps the stand running right whether or not the owner is on site. You'll be the daily operational backbone of The Hangar: running shifts, setting the pace during the morning ferry rush, training newer staff, and making sure the bar and register run smoothly when it matters most.

If you're reliable, level-headed under pressure, and you want a real position with responsibility (and a path to grow with us) rather than a summer fill-in gig — this is for you.

What you'll do

• Run daily shifts and lead the floor during peak ferry windows
• Train and mentor new baristas and register staff on our standards
• Open and/or close the stand, including cash handling and two-person close procedures
• Keep quality consistent — drinks, food, cleanliness, and speed
• Manage the flow during the 9–11am crush so customers make their boats
• Be a dependable point of contact for the team day-to-day
• Help keep inventory, restocking, and prep on track

What we're looking for

• Reliability above all. We need someone who shows up, on time, every scheduled shift. This is the single most important quality for this role.
• Prior coffee, café, or food-service experience — barista experience is a strong plus, but we will train the right person on our bar
• Calm and capable under pressure; the ferry rush is real and fast
• Someone local to the Kingston / North Kitsap area who can reliably commute to the terminal
• A genuine interest in staying and growing with us — this is an anchor role, and we invest in people who invest in us
• Comfort leading and teaching others

The honest details

• Weekends and mornings are the heart of this job. Saturday and Sunday mornings are our busiest times by far. Weekend availability is required.
• Our business is seasonal — busiest in summer, quieter in winter. We'll be upfront with you about hours and scheduling.
• The pace is quick and the work is hands-on, but the crew is tight and the regulars are great.

Pay & growth

• $20.00–$21.00/hour, depending on experience
• Tips (our team tips well)
• Real opportunity to grow into a senior operational role as we build out our training and leadership structure

How we work

We run on a "craft within guardrails" philosophy — our baristas have real latitude to build great drinks, inside a system that keeps quality and speed consistent. We use an aviation theme throughout the shop (you'll hear about "Flight School" training and earning your way up the ladder), and we take both the coffee and the crew culture seriously.

Aviator Coffees & Teas is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.