Event Captain

Snake Oil Cocktail Company • San Diego, CA

5d • $23 - $27 • Onsite

About The Position

The Event Captain is a senior, non-supervisory, hourly service role supporting Snake Oil Cocktail Company’s catering and event operations. Captains help events run smoothly from setup through close at Snake Oil venues, private events, brand activations, and offsite client locations. They work alongside Event Leads and Line Staff, serve as knowledgeable points 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 promptly communicated to management. Captains do not hire, discipline, schedule, or evaluate employees; staffing and supervisory decisions remain with management.

The role represents the Snake Oil brand to clients, guests, venue personnel, vendors, and staff. It offers a defined career step for team members building event operations, client communication, and closing experience, with potential preparation for future opportunities in event leadership and operations as positions become available. Advancement depends on performance, business needs, and open roles and is not guaranteed.

This is a part-time, hourly position with a minimum of 20 hours per week. Shifts are scheduled through Nowsta based on the event calendar. Nights, weekends, and holidays are required; overtime may be scheduled based on event needs and is paid in accordance with California law. The position is fully in person at venues and event locations in the San Diego area, with occasional travel to out-of-area events. Reliable transportation to event locations is required.

The position pays $23.00–$27.00 per hour, with eligibility to participate in the event tip pool. Training is paid. Employees accrue and use paid sick leave in accordance with California and City of San Diego requirements, and are eligible for the 401(k) after one year of service, subject to plan terms.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree.
• Minimum of 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.
• Must be at least 21 years of age by the start of employment because the role regularly serves alcohol.
• Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) certification required.
• California Food Handler Card required.
• Must be able to safely operate an aerial lift (scissor lift); training and certification are provided upon hire.
• Reliable means of transportation to Snake Oil venues and event locations.
• Must 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.
• Frequent reaching forward, pushing, pulling, and grasping; occasional bending, squatting, twisting, turning, kneeling, climbing, and reaching overhead.
• Ability to work in indoor and outdoor event environments, including exposure to heat, humidity, cold, and dust.

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 event floors according to event plans.
• Share event details, timelines, and service instructions from the Event Manager 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, modeling professionalism, hospitality, teamwork, and urgency.
• Answer fellow team members’ questions about event plans and service standards; share tips and demonstrate best practices to help newer team members learn.
• 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

• Pay range of $23.00–$27.00 per hour, with tip-pool participation in addition to base pay.
• Paid training.
• Paid sick leave accrued and used in accordance with California and City of San Diego requirements.
• 401(k) eligibility after 1 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