Position: Café Barista
Location: 1 Jim Flaherty St., Whitby, ON
Assignment: Hourly
Pay Rate:$18.00 per hour. We also offer access to our superb sport, fitness, and recreational facilities.
Start Date: May 2026
Openings: 2
You Belong!
We exist to unlock potential through accessibility and to create a better, barrier-free life for all Canadians. We strive to achieve this by reimagining accessibility, redefining the way Canadians live, work and play, and by co-designing innovative solutions that address the needs of our community. To be successful, our organization values being person-centred, genuine, flexible, innovative, and collaborative.
As an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion, we welcome and encourage applications from all persons, including but not limited to persons with disabilities, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation, and newcomers. We provide variations and accommodations at all stages of employment and are committed to improving our process to be more accessible and equitable.
We understand that no one will ever meet all the qualifications or feel completely confident in performing every duty listed, and that’s okay! We are committed to the ongoing learning and development of our employees and gladly provide on-the-job training and mentorship. Unless it says required (bolded for emphasis), please do not let any other qualification or duty discourage you from applying.
If you have any issues with the online application or have any questions about the job, please email careers@abilitiescentre.org. We look forward to learning more about you and how you may be the person we’re looking for through your application!
The Café:
Christine’s Café powered by CAA is a welcoming food and beverage space located within Abilities Centre. The Café serves members, participants, staff, and the community by offering a variety of baked goods and beverage options in an inclusive and accessible environment. The Café is designed to model inclusive employment practices and create meaningful opportunities for individuals of all abilities.
The Position:
Reporting to the Assistant Director, Hospitality and Service, the Café Barista will be responsible for preparing and serving high quality food and beverages while delivering an exceptional and inclusive customer experience. As a member of the café team, you will help create a welcoming, accessible, and positive environment for members, participants, and guests.
What You’ll Do:
- Food and Beverage Preparation.
- You will prepare and serve coffee, espresso beverages, teas, and other café offerings according to established recipes and quality standards.
- You will prepare light food and bakery items and ensure proper food handling and safety practices are followed.
- You will monitor product levels and communicate restocking needs to the Café Supervisor.
- You will follow all food safety, sanitation, and workplace health and safety policies.
- Customer Service.You will provide friendly, inclusive, and professional service to all customers.
- You will support taking orders accurately, operate the point-of-sale (POS) system, and process cash and electronic payments.
- You will handle customer inquiries and resolve minor concerns with professionalism, escalating issues to the Café Supervisor when necessary.
- You will build rapport with members and guests, creating a welcoming and inclusive café experience.
- General Café Support.
- You will support opening and closing procedures as assigned.
- You will maintain cleanliness and organization of the café, including workstations, equipment, and seating areas.
- You will assist with inventory counts, product rotation, and minimizing waste.
- You will work collaboratively with team members to ensure efficient service during peak periods.
- You will participate in training sessions related to food safety, accessibility, customer service, and operational procedures.
What You’ll Bring:
- Education and Experience. You are currently in high school or are a high school graduate.
- You have experience in customer service, food service, retail, or hospitality experience.
- Barista experience is considered an asset.
- Knowledge about food safety standards, sanitation, and workplace health and safety requirements an asset.
- Experience with point-of-sale (POS) systems an asset.
- Professional Skills.You demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- You are dedicated to customer service that exceeds expectations.
- You are a team player with a positive attitude whose interactions demonstrate accountability, authenticity, and collaboration.
- You are reliable, punctual, and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
- You possess strong attention to detail and are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
- You are self-motivated, and result-oriented; you demonstrate initiative and contribute to a work environment that values and encourages innovation.
- Administrative Requirements. It is required that you have a current and clear criminal record check for the vulnerable sector to work at Abilities Centre.
- It is required that you have First AID and CPR C/AED.
- It is required that you have Food Handler Certification.
- Availability. You are required to have flexible availability to work a variety of shifts, including weekdays, evenings, and weekends.
How to Apply:
- Deadline to apply: Friday, April 24, 2026
