Lead Barista

Barley Bean Coffee is a local Austin specialty coffee brand known for quality, consistency, and a genuine commitment to the communities it serves. We're opening our first hospital café location inside St. David's Hospital South Austin — and we're looking for a lead barista who brings more than great coffee skills to the counter.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of something new. You'll be one of the first faces of Barley Bean at this location, helping shape the team culture and operational standards from day one. You'll be the owners' right hand on the floor. You'll set the standard, shape the culture, and eventually train the people who come after you.

We want to be transparent with you:
this is a hospital café, and it is not a typical coffee shop experience. St. David's South Austin is a working hospital. The people walking through our door may be nurses and doctors on a 10-minute break who need their order right, right now. They may be a family member who just received difficult news and is looking for something warm and familiar.

They may be a patient support worker who hasn't sat down in hours.

What that means for you:

• Speed and accuracy are non-negotiable. Healthcare workers rely on us to get them in and out quickly so they can get back to their patients.
• You’ll regularly serve guests who are stressed, exhausted, grieving, or all three. Emotional steadiness and quiet compassion are important here.

If you’ve worked in fast-paced or high-stakes environments you likely already know what this kind of work asks of you. We’d love to hear from you. If you’ve never worked in a hospital setting, that’s okay — We’d rather you know upfront than find out on your first week.

• Real experience in specialty coffee (extraction, dialing in espresso, etc.)
• Pull consistent, quality espresso shots and prepare a full specialty drink menu according to recipes, smoothies and a limited food menu.
• Strong hospitality instincts - guests feel it when you care
• Lead daily operations during your shift: open/close procedures, prep, cleanliness, inventory checks and restocking
• Accurately take guest orders and credit card payments through POS
• A self-starter who doesn’t wait to be told what to do
• Train and support other baristas and staff; set the tone for pace, accuracy, and hospitality
• Maintain a calm, welcoming presence — especially during rush periods
• Communicate proactively with owner on supply needs, equipment issues, and team dynamics
• Can take direct feedback to improve

• Barista experience required
• Strong, consistent espresso technique under pressure
• A calm, composed presence — you don’t rattle easily
• Empathy and emotional intelligence; you read the room instinctively
• Reliable and punctual — this team depends on you to show up
• Build genuine connections with regular customers
• Up to date food handlers required upon start date
• Must pass background check and drug screening - as per hospital requirements

• Location:
  
  St David’s South Austin Medical Center 901 W Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
• We are open Monday‑Saturday (with potential for Sunday hours as operations grow)
• We are open from 6am‑2pm
• Full-time, ~35 hrs/week
• Bonus potential