Barista Job Description: Duties, Skills and Template
Short answer: A barista prepares and serves coffee, espresso drinks and other beverages, takes orders and payments, and keeps the coffee bar clean. Baristas also dial in and maintain the espresso machine and grinder, restock milk, cups and pastries, and handle opening and closing tasks.
Consistency in every cup keeps regulars coming back.
Barista job description template
Job title: Barista
Reports to: Shift lead or cafe manager
Summary: Make quality drinks quickly and give friendly service at the counter.
Duties
Take orders and payments at the register and explain the menu.
Prepare espresso drinks, brewed coffee, tea and other drinks to recipe.
Steam and texture milk and follow standards for size and temperature.
Serve pastries and food and follow food safety rules.
Clean and maintain the espresso machine, grinder and brewers.
Restock cups, lids, milk, syrups and the pastry case.
Keep the counter, seating area and restrooms clean.
Complete opening or closing checklists.
Skills and requirements
Speed and consistency during the morning rush.
Friendly, upbeat customer service.
Able to stand for a full shift and lift supplies.
A food handler card where your state or county requires one.
Available for early mornings and weekends.
Opening and closing barista duties
Opening
Closing
Turn on and dial in the espresso machine and grinders
Backflush the espresso machine and clean the steam wands
Brew the first batches of coffee
Empty and clean brewers and carafes
Stock milk, pastries and cups
Record waste and count the drawer
Barista pay and tips
Many baristas earn an hourly wage plus tips from a tip jar or the tip screen, often shared through a tip pool. See tip screens, tip jar ideas and tip pooling rules. This is general information, not legal advice.
Schedule baristas to the morning rush
Coffee shops are busiest in a short morning window. EZTime schedules baristas in short, staggered shifts, handles swaps in the app and tracks hours for tip pools. Opening a cafe? See how to start a coffee shop.
Frequently asked questions
What does a barista do?
Prepares coffee and espresso drinks, takes orders and payments and keeps the coffee bar clean.
What skills does a barista need?
Speed, consistency, customer service and care with food safety.
Do baristas get tips?
Many do, through a tip jar or tip screen, often shared in a tip pool.
