Recovery Café and Recovery Café Network Cafe Support Specialist (On-Call) Seattle, WA · Part time Company website

Apply for Cafe Support Specialist (On-Call)

Recovery Café was founded on the understanding that every human being is precious and beloved regardless of past trauma, mental and emotional anguish, or addictive behaviors. We provide a beautiful, safe, warm, drug and alcohol free space and loving community to anchor Members (our most closely-supported participants) in the sustained recovery needed to gain and maintain access to housing, social and health services, healthy relationships, education, and employment. We help people maintain recovery, reduce relapse and fulfill their potential. Recovery Café currently has about 35 employees. We operate two cafés in Seattle and operate the Recovery Café Network, which provides training and support to over 90 Member Cafés across the US and Canada.

The Café Support Specialist plays a vital role in creating a welcoming, dignified, and well‑run Café environment. During your shifts, you’ll support daily operations while building respectful, caring relationships with Members and volunteers. This is an on‑call, non‑exempt position with shifts scheduled based on staffing needs and is represented by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) 3000.

Café Hours

• South Lake Union: Tuesday–Saturday, 12:00–6:30 p.m.
• SODO: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Shift notice is usually provided in advance, sometimes as short as 24 hours.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure daily preparation and set-up of meals and coffee.
• Support kitchen operations, including food prep, dishes, and clean‑up.
• Keep the Café clean, calm, and welcoming for all who enter (clean-up of the meal service counters and tables, trash/recycling removal, vacuuming, bathroom stocking, sweeping front sidewalk.
• Communicate and uphold Café guidelines and boundaries with warmth, clarity, and loving accountability.
• Support Members and volunteers during Café hours.
• Attend Café staff trainings and/or meetings when requested.
• Facilitate Recovery Circles when necessary.
• Help with off‑site food or donation pick‑ups.

What we’re looking for

• A strong desire to support people in recovery from substance use and/or mental health challenges.
• The ability to balance compassion with clear, respectful boundaries.
• Comfort working in environments that can feel complex, emotional, or unpredictable.
• Interest in working with diverse communities and gaining experience in human services.
• Ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Food Handlers Card (or ability to obtain)

Education: There is not an educational requirement for this role, and we welcome people with diverse work or educational experiences with a preference for human services to apply.

Nice to Have (but not required):

• Personal experience in recovery
• Experience in social services or behavioral health
• Bilingual Spanish/English
• Additional training or education in human services a plus (e.g. Chemical Dependence).

Compensation and Benefits Summary

Compensation: $25.24/hour, with Employer-paid ORCA Passport card (unlimited transit rides) and Cafe Meal during working hours.