Busser / Food Runner

About Us: Ember & Oak is a new chef-driven restaurant and event space opening at Katy Golf Club in Parsons, Kansas in Fall of 2026. We are building something genuinely special for SE Kansas — a scratch kitchen rooted in local sourcing, real technique, and genuine hospitality in an upscale, casual setting.

Position Overview: The busser/food runner at Ember & Oak is responsible for ensuring clean tables are ready for guests, hot food delivered both efficiently and accurately, and constant support that lets the rest of the team do their job well. This role calls for speed, precision, and above all, communication.

Busser / Food Runner Duties and Responsibilities:

Table Service & Bussing

• Clear tables promptly once every guest has finished a course.
• Stack and clear plates and glassware quietly and discreetly with limited error.
• Reset tables to full standard — wiping down surfaces, resetting flatware, and replacing linen for larger parties — within a 3-minute target.
• Proactively check and refill water glasses and restock condiments, bread, and table accompaniments
• Complete opening (table setup, station stocking, water pitchers), closing (wiping down, sweeping, restocking), and other requirements and request for each shift.

Food Running

• Read tickets accurately, including but not limited to table numbers, seat numbers, course timing, modifiers, and allergen flags.
• Deliver every dish directly to its correct seat using the seat numbering system with expectancy for little to no errors.
• Coordinate with other runners and servers to deliver full tables together while ensuring the accurate temperature gauge for each food plate delivered.
• Communicate clearly at the expo window and flag any suspected plate errors before delivering.
• Other duties as assigned.

Busser/Food Runner Education and Qualifications:

• A team player with a strong work ethic and a genuine hospitality mindset.
• Comfortable in a physically active role: lifting, carrying loaded trays, and staying on your feet for full shifts.
• Clear, calm communicator who can stay composed under pressure.
• Detail-oriented — able to read tickets accurately and follow allergen protocols with full accuracy.
• Reliable and punctual; able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of busser/food runner, the employee is regularly required to stand for extended periods of time; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of busser/food runner, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Work involves exposure to hot surfaces and sharp utensils. Weekend, evening, and holiday availability required.

Limitations and Disclaimer:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

In accordance with the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, candidates who are 21 years or older are permitted to mix, pour, dispense, and serve any alcoholic beverage. Individuals who are 18 years or older may only serve alcoholic beverages. Candidates aged younger than 18 years of age may not handle any alcoholic beverage in any compacity including but not limited to mixing, pouring, dispensing, and/or serving and are also subject to Child Labor Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for employment opportunities.