Server
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Santa Cruz, CA, 95065
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Salary : 28.34-28.34 HOUR
Date Posted : 14 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
Provides courteous and efficient meal service to the residents while performing daily job tasks.
The person in this position is expected to know and support the mission and values of Dominican Oaks, and to apply the Dominican Oaks philosophy while performing daily job tasks
- Takes orders, answers questions and makes suggestions regarding food preparation.
- Provides starter (soup/salad), entree and dessert service to residents.
- Garnishes and decorates dishes preparatory to serving.
- Ladles soup, portions pies and desserts, brews coffee and performs other services as determined by establishment's size and practice.
- Obtains linens, silver, glassware and china to set tables and arranges settings on tables.
- Prepares beverages, relays orders to kitchen and expedites food orders.
Required
- Food Handler Permit: CA, within 30 Days
- Food Handler Permit: CA, within 30 Days
Dominican Oaks is a beautiful 206-apartment retirement community located in a quiet, wooded setting behind Dominican Santa Cruz Hospital where we have served our community for over 25 years. Residents live a quality lifestyle and remain independent while receiving the unique benefits of congregate living.
Here at Dominican Oaks, you'll find us caring, friendly and supportive, ready to listen and respond. Find out for yourself why our residents all say, "Dominican Oaks is a wonderful place to call home."
One Community. One Mission. One California
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Frequently asked questions
Santa Cruz has a steady demand for servers, especially in retirement communities like Dominican Oaks. With a moderate hospitality sector, candidates with food handler permits and good customer service skills tend to stand out quickly in local hiring pools.
In California, obtaining a food handler permit within 30 days of employment is essential. This certification ensures compliance with state health regulations and is often mandatory for server positions in healthcare-adjacent settings like Dominican Oaks.
Servers at Dominican Oaks often balance courteous service with supporting residents’ unique needs in a retirement community. Managing dietary preferences, maintaining meal presentation standards, and timely coordination with the kitchen are common daily challenges.
Strong communication, attentiveness, and a willingness to learn food safety practices are crucial. Entry-level servers can leverage training opportunities to quickly gain competence in meal service and customer interaction within a calm, supportive setting.
Catholic Health Initiatives supports career development through internal training and community engagement. Servers can advance to supervisory roles or cross-train in hospitality management, especially within their healthcare-related service facilities.
Indeed, servers at Catholic Health Initiatives often benefit from a mission-driven environment fostering respect and community care. This supportive culture differentiates it from typical hospitality roles in Santa Cruz, enhancing job satisfaction.
Servers in Santa Cruz typically earn between $14 and $18 per hour, depending on experience and certifications. Positions like those at Dominican Oaks may offer competitive wages aligned with healthcare hospitality standards, including potential benefits.
Serving in a retirement community like Dominican Oaks involves a more personalized approach, including understanding residents' preferences and supporting their independence, unlike the fast-paced, high-turnover environment typical in restaurants.
Evening server positions in Santa Cruz can be more competitive due to fewer available shifts and higher demand in care communities. However, daytime roles at places like Dominican Oaks are also crucial for comprehensive resident service.
The position blends hospitality with a compassionate mission, focusing on enhancing residents’ quality of life. This dual focus offers servers a meaningful work environment beyond traditional food service roles common in Santa Cruz.