Company description

Flying Squirrel Bakery Cafe is accepting applications for many seasonal positions beginning in April & May 2025. Take a look at our website to get a feel for our unique cafe in rural Alaska. Located three miles from the funky, rural town of Talkeetna, Alaska, we proudly source ingredients from Alaska as much as possible (which is no small challenge!) including from our family farm located just 12 miles from the cafe. In addition to producing creative, healthful deli style breakfast & lunch, artisan breads & pastries and wood fired pizzas, we are always working to make business choices that reflect our care for the community and the planet. More information about our family run business and how we try to make a difference can be found here.

ABOUT WORKING HERE: Flying Squirrel is a fun place to work with a positive work environment, wonderful food, and a community feel where everyone is working as a team toward the same goals. The busiest summer months also include plenty of sweat and stress, constructive criticism and controlled chaos in probably the same doses found in many other busy restaurants. We love food, love to share what we make, and love to tell people about the care and respect that all good food deserves.

ABOUT THE TOWN: "The Squirrel" as locals call it, is located 3 miles from the tiny town of Talkeetna, Alaska. Despite it's small size and population, Talkeetna is rich with natural beauty, arts and outdoor activities, families and schools, engaging people, non-profit and volunteer opportunities, and yes, lots of summer tourism! The forests, rivers, wildlife, and mountains in the area provide beautiful surroundings and exceptional recreational opportunities including hiking, rafting, canoeing, fishing, biking, mountaineering and more. The cafe itself is surrounded by Alaska's forest wilderness, with a separated bike path into town, hiking trails, a beautiful lake a short walk from our back door, and accessibility to many other Alaska adventures like Denali National Park, Denali State Park and Hatcher Pass.

As one of the few businesses who stay open year round, we are interested in how a local, family run food business can contribute to the community and actively create a space that doesn't feel shallow or like we're just trying to make money off the travelers. We donate to many local events and organizations, host monthly art shows and occasional live music, and offer discounts "for the planet."

Job description

We are looking for dependable, committed, happy, hard working folks that care deeply about doing a great job, making and serving great food, and maintaining Flying Squirrel's excellent 15 year reputation. Summer season commitment is May 1 to mid-September for most positions. Experience is preferred but not required, especially with your excellent work ethic, maturity, dependability, sense of humor, positive, energetic attitude and cooperative nature. The front counter positions are active, varied and most folks learn a lot of new skills even if they have previous barista experience. This position can be full time or part time and could be mornings (opening), afternoon/evenings (closing), mid-day or a combination of different shifts.

Barista applicants should be:

• Over 21 and willing to acquire an Alaska TAP card to serve beer and wine. 1-2+ years relevant experience preferred.
• Well rounded. Passionate and excited to inform customers about our unique, thoughtful offerings. Deep care for high quality products balanced with efficiency and hustle.
• Work independently, sometimes alone, but also must be a friendly, team player. Excellent communication skills, work well with co-workers, hands-on involved owner, seasonal employees, and customers. Accept feedback gracefully.
• Perform all tasks with equal effort - the Front Counter position has many different tasks and duties including (but not limited to) customer service, handling money, learning the point-of-sale system for sales, describing/selling all the things we offer (including beer and wine), making espresso drinks, light food prep, cleaning and dishes, stacking firewood and many other tasks.
• Overtime is sometimes allowed/required. Weekends may be required.
• Willingness to relocate to an unusual, challenging, beautiful place. Comfortable with unpredictable climate and swings of seasonal, tourist economy. Adaptable (and physically fit) for 8 hours active standing work including lifting up to 30 pounds, plus dramatic seasonal shifts including different weather, light, people, services, free time, energy.

BENEFITS: competitive hourly wages depending on experience including overtime, end of season bonus, equitable tipping policy, shift meal, staff discount, farm veggies, and paid sick/personal time.

HOUSING/TRANSPORTATION: We offer assistance finding affordable housing that is close to the cafe and have two on property campers to rent for full time employees. Having a car is highly recommended.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $16.00 - $22.00

Application instructions

Deadline

March 31, 2025