Job Description
Join our team at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and grow your experience at one of the most unique sites in Calgary! The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a Seasonal Server and Bartender at Grazers who will support with creating a welcoming dining experience for visitors to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo at our seasonal restaurant, Grazers.
The Grazers Server & Bartender will primarily be responsible for the successful delivery of food & beverage to guests within a full service catering department and restaurant. The position is also responsible for the set up and teardown of a variety of catered events.
Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.
Our Core Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.
- Start Date: June 2026
- End Date: September 2026
What you will do:
Serving:
- Set up, deliver, and tear down catered events and functions
- Provide exceptional customer service to guests in a professional and friendly manner
- Answer questions about food and beverage menu items and make recommendations upon request
- Inform guests of daily or weekly specials
- Take food and beverage orders and enter them into the POS system for transmittal to kitchen staff
- Check customer identification to ensure minimum age requirements for alcohol service are met
- Serve food and beverages efficiently and accurately
- Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems
- Prepare bills that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes
- Collect payments from customers
- Fill salt & pepper shakers, sugar & cream, condiment and napkin containers
- Set up server stations and dining areas to prepare for the next shift
- Perform closing cleaning duties such as tidying up bar and server station
Bartending:
- Answer questions about beverage menu items and make recommendations upon request
- Prepare beverage orders that servers input into system
- Set up bartending stations and dining areas to prepare for the next shiftMonitor bar inventory levels and communicate needs to the Team Leader
- May assist in seating guests if the hostess is busy
- May assist in delivering drinks if the servers are busy
- Perform closing cleaning duties such as tidying up bar
- Responsible for adhering to all policies, procedures, and departmental standards in
What you will bring:
- At least 1 year of experience in service, including as server and/or bartender
- ProServe is required; Must be at least 18 years of age
- Food and beverage experience preferred
- Friendly, outgoing personality
- Independent worker
- Service all customers promptly and courteously
Working Conditions:
- Able to work in a fast paced environment
- Labour intensive
- Frequent walking and standing for long periods of time required
- May be exposed to hazardous cleaning chemicals and supplies, hot food preparation equipment, smoke, and other hazardous conditions common to commercial food preparation areas.
- Shift work required including late evenings, weekends, and holidays
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.
What the Zoo Offers:
- Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
- Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan
- A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals
Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you.
Apply by doing the following:
- Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)
- Submit your resume with a cover letter via our online application system.
- Fill in the Application questions:
- Are you legally authorized to work in the Canada?
- If hired, how long would you need from time of offer to start? When would you be available to start?
- Do you have a ProServe Certification?
- What is your desired salary/wage?
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online by June 3, 2026.
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization’s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.