Event Captain

Snake Oil Cocktail Company • San Diego, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Event Captain is a senior, non-supervisory, hourly service role at Snake Oil Cocktail Company. Captains help events run smoothly from setup through final close at Snake Oil venues, private events, brand activations, and offsite client locations. They work alongside Event Leads and Line Staff, serve as a knowledgeable point of contact during events, and help ensure spaces are clean, organized, secure, and ready for their next use. Client, vendor, staffing, property, safety, and operational concerns are communicated promptly to the Event Manager or Operations leadership. Captains do not hire, discipline, schedule, or evaluate employees; those decisions remain with the Assistant Operations Manager, Operations Manager, and Event Managers.

The role represents the Snake Oil brand to clients, guests, venue personnel, vendors, and staff. It offers an opportunity to develop event operations, client communication, and closing experience that may support future advancement when positions become available. Advancement depends on performance, business needs, and open roles and is not guaranteed.

This is a part-time, hourly, non-exempt position with a minimum of 20 hours per week. Shifts are scheduled through Nowsta based on the event calendar. The position is fully in person at venues and event locations in the San Diego area, with occasional travel to out-of-area events. Nights, weekends, and holidays are required, and overtime may be scheduled based on event needs. Pay is $23.00–$27.00 per hour, plus eligibility for the event tip pool. Paid training and paid sick leave are provided; employees become eligible for a 401(k) after one year of service, subject to plan terms.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in event service, catering, venue operations, food and beverage, hospitality, or customer service.
• Experience working in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Intermediate proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.
• Comfort using POS systems, phones, computers, and standard office equipment.
• At least 21 years of age by the start of employment because the role regularly serves alcohol.
• Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) certification.
• California Food Handler Card.
• Ability to safely operate an aerial lift (scissor lift); training and certification are provided upon hire.
• Reliable transportation to Snake Oil venues and event locations.
• Ability to reliably commute to the San Diego area or plan to relocate before the start date.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during events.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and frequently lift or carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to frequently reach forward, push, pull, and grasp.
• Ability to occasionally bend, squat, twist, turn, kneel, climb, and reach overhead.
• Ability to work in indoor and outdoor event environments, including exposure to heat, humidity, cold, and dust.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States; proof of identity and employment authorization is required upon hire.

Nice To Haves

• Catering, banquet, or event service experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review event details, service instructions, BEOs, diagrams, and timelines.
• Perform and help coordinate setup of bar stations, service stations, glassware, and the event floor according to event plans.
• Share event details, timelines, and service instructions from the Event Manager with team members during pre-service huddles.
• Provide hands-on beverage and guest service throughout events.
• Monitor guest experience, presentation, cleanliness, organization, and event flow, and help keep service on track.
• Stay aware of client needs and event changes and promptly communicate them to the Event Manager.
• Resolve routine service and setup issues within established procedures.
• Help track assigned equipment, glassware, and materials throughout events and closeout.
• Work alongside Event Leads and Line Staff and model professionalism, hospitality, teamwork, and urgency.
• Answer fellow team members’ questions about event plans and service standards, and share tips and best practices with newer team members.
• Report staffing, performance, or conduct concerns to the Event Manager or Operations leadership rather than addressing them directly.
• Follow and help reinforce company policies, procedures, SOPs, service standards, and safety expectations.
• Follow responsible alcohol service practices and applicable state and local laws.
• Promptly report significant client, staffing, safety, equipment, or operational concerns to the Event Manager, Assistant Operations Manager, Operations Manager, or VP of Operations.
• Represent the company professionally with clients, guests, venue personnel, vendors, and staff.
• Stay through event close as scheduled until load-out is complete or as directed by the Event Manager.
• Help monitor vendor load-out for approved timelines, house rules, loading procedures, and venue or client requirements.
• Complete a final walkthrough of event and back-of-house areas to identify damage, abandoned equipment, excessive trash, cleanliness issues, lost property, or other concerns.
• Help confirm rental items, furniture, equipment, and property are returned to designated locations or secured.
• When assigned, close and lock doors, gates, loading areas, and storage areas, and confirm lights, AV, HVAC, and other systems are set according to the closing checklist.
• Document and immediately report property damage, vendor issues, client incidents, security concerns, incomplete load-out, and other exceptions to management.
• Complete and submit the Closing Checklist & Event Evaluation before ending the shift.
• Keep issued venue keys or access credentials secure and follow key and security procedures.

Benefits

• Tip pool eligibility in addition to base pay, in accordance with company policy.
• Paid training.
• Paid sick leave accrued and used in accordance with California and City of San Diego requirements.
• 401(k) eligibility after one year of service, subject to plan terms.
• Defined career step with opportunities to build event operations experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree