Morning Hospitality and Coffee Captain, CAU

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Temporary Morning Hospitality & Coffee Captain in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to Cornell’s Adult University (CAU) 2 week summer program.

Position Summary

CAU Summer is an annual 2-week, on-campus, residential program offering faculty-led courses for the alumni, family, and friends audience. CAU Summer 2026 runs from July 5 – July 18. Positions begin before the program start date for training and prep work.

The Morning Hospitality & Coffee Captain is the key player in starting each day at CAU Summer with warmth, energy, and a well-caffeinated community. This role ensures that coffee and snacks are ready for both dorm residents and course participants, maintains a welcoming lounge atmosphere, and prepares for the next day's service. If you love early mornings, enjoy creating inviting experiences, and take pride in keeping things running smoothly, this role is for you!

Key Responsibilities

Morning Setup & Service (6:00 AM – 7:00 AM) 

• Arrive early to set up the dorm lounge’s coffee and snack station, ensuring everything is fresh, organized, and inviting. 
• Maintain an attentive, guest-focused presence as participants stop by for their morning boost. 
• Keep supplies stocked, areas clean, and troubleshoot any immediate hospitality needs. 

Transition to Prep Space for Coffee Break Service (7:00 AM – 8:00 AM) 

• Once the Morning Concierge arrives at 8:00 AM, transition to the 2nd-floor prep space to begin making coffee and assembling snacks for the mid-morning class break. 

Load the coffee break items into the respective shuttle/delivery vans. (8:00 – 8:30 AM) 

• Load the coffee break items into the respective shuttle vans. (Drivers will deliver after shuttling participants to classrooms. Drivers will set up and break down coffee displays.) 

Coordinate with the Culinary Curator & Procurement Lead to communicate shopping needs. (8:30 – 9:00) 

Lounge Atmosphere & Maintenance: (9:00 – 10:00 AM) 

• Maintain a tidy and welcoming lounge space, ensuring participants have everything they need for a relaxing break. (Vacuum, trash, wipe tables, etc...)  
• Troubleshoot minor hospitality issues and report any larger needs to the Guest Experience Coordinator. 

About Cornell’s Adult University

CAU (Cornell’s Adult University), Cornell Alumni Travel, Alumni Wine by Cornell Alumni Affairs are revenue-generating engagement programs that seek to drive increasingly meaningful engagement with the alumni, family, and friend audience, as well as to maximize revenue generation on behalf of Alumni Affairs and Development (AAD). In that, these programs have a meaningful impact related to AAD’s strategic vision and lead initiatives in support of the Cornell Alumni Engagement Strategic Plan. These programs also work toward the campaign engagement goal of engaging 200,000 unique alumni, and annual engagement goals of overall alumni engagement, number of volunteer and alumni donors, new, re-engaged and retained alumni.

Required Qualifications

• No specific formal education is required. Comprehensive training for each position will be provided.
• Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license
• Ability to advocate for individuals from a broad range of backgrounds.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Morning person who thrives in a fast-paced, hospitality-driven environment. 
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills. 
• Friendly, engaging, and service-minded—able to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. 
• Able to lift and carry coffee supplies and push a cart for deliveries. 

Work Location

This position is fully on site on the Ithaca Cornell Campus.

Pay Rate

Starting pay $22.70

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title

Temporary Food Service/Kitchen Worker

Job Family

Temporary Auxiliary Services

Level

No Grade - Hourly

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Range

Refer to Posting Language

Remote Option Availability

Onsite

Company

Contact Name:

Allison Washburn

Contact Email

[email protected]

Job Titles And Pay Ranges

Non-Union Positions

Noted Pay Ranges Reflect The Potential Pay Opportunity For Each Job Profile. The Hiring Rate Of Pay For The Successful Candidate Will Be Determined Considering The Following Criteria

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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Employment Assistance

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

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EEO Statement

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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2026-02-04