Counter Server

Brand Ambassador — Window Service, Makina on the Island

You're the face of Makina on Governors Island. You run our walk-up window, serve guests quickly and warmly, help the kitchen when it needs a hand, and tell people about everything else Makina does.

Makina is an Eritrean-Ethiopian restaurant (Eater 38, Resy Hit List) with a flagship in Sunnyside, a food truck, a catering kitchen, and a walk-up window on Governors Island.

Schedule: Shifts within Island hours: Monday–Friday 9 AM–4 PM, Saturday–Sunday 10 AM–5 PM. On the Island 30 minutes before opening. Year-round, with full-time and part-time openings.

Location: Governors Island, by ferry from the Battery Maritime Building.

What you'll do

• Take orders and payments on Square, and serve food and drinks from the window
• Make hot and iced chai and batch coffee; serve beer and hard seltzer, checking ID on every alcohol sale
• Help on the line and prep bowls when the kitchen needs a hand
• Open and close the window: setup, restocking, cleaning, and the cash and Square closeout
• Receive the Tuesday and Friday deliveries and count stock for the weekly order
• Sort waste into the Island's four streams and use only compostable serviceware, as the Trust for Governors Island requires
• Keep the line moving on busy weekends and event days
• Point guests to the Sunnyside restaurant, the food truck, catering and Makina gift cards

In your first 90 days

• Open and close the window on your own
• Close out Square and the cash drawer each shift with no discrepancies
• Prep and plate every bowl on the Island menu to spec
• Know the menu well enough to walk a first-time guest through Eritrean-Ethiopian food and make a recommendation

Requirements

• 1+ year working a food counter, café or quick-service register
• 18 or older (the role serves beer and hard seltzer)
• Weekend availability, and able to take the ferry in for opening and stay through closing
• Comfortable running the window on your own
• Comfortable at an outdoor window year-round, including cold weather; on your feet for the full shift and lifting cases of drinks and supplies

Nice to have: line or prep cooking experience (strongly preferred), Square POS experience, NYC Food Protection Certificate, ATAP alcohol-service certification.

Pay and benefits: $17–18 per hour plus tips. 30% staff discount at Makina. NYC paid safe and sick leave.

Who we're looking for: We hire for character as much as experience. Our team works by five Habesha Virtues: Joyful Warmth (hagos), Curious Humility, The Work Ethic, Empathy and Integrity. If guests walk away from your window happier than they arrived, you'll fit in here.

This is a walk-up window and guest-facing role, not table service and not a marketing or promotions job.