What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pool Server/Bartender position at The Observatory Sun Valley, A Viceroy Resort?
Viceroy Hotels:
The Pool Server / Bartender is responsible for delivering elevated food and beverage service in a relaxed outdoor poolside environment while ensuring exceptional guest experiences aligned with Viceroy luxury hospitality standards. This role combines both serving and bartending responsibilities while supporting pool, cabana, lounge, and seasonal food & beverage operations throughout the resort.
Viceroy Hotels & Resorts offers a fresh take on hospitality, centered on the richness of experiences and cultural connection. A leader in modern luxury, Viceroy is committed to creating unique, immersive experiences that allow guests to craft unforgettable narratives rooted in the authenticity of each destination. Viceroy’s portfolio of hotels and resorts can be found in a diverse array of breathtaking and inspiring locations including Los Cabos, Santa Monica, Chicago, Riviera Maya, Kopaonik, Snowmass, Washington D.C., St. Lucia, and Portugal’s Algarve, with a forthcoming resort in Sun Valley, Idaho slated to open in summer 2026.
Location:
The property offers 73 guest rooms and 12 single-level penthouse residences, all with sweeping views of Idaho’s Rocky Mountains. Guests and owners will enjoy an elevated level of personalized service and an extensive amenity suite, including a 5,700-square-foot full-service spa, a 1,500-square-foot fitness center, six treatment rooms, an indoor thermal pool, cold plunge, sauna, and steam rooms. A state-of-the-art rooftop observatory and outdoor terrace bar will provide unobstructed access to the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, the first designated preserve of its kind in the U.S. and one of only 12 globally.
Overview:
Located at the southeast corner of Main Street and River Street East—the gateway to downtown Ketchum, Idaho—and just minutes from Bald Mountain’s River Run base, this exceptional property will debut as Sun Valley’s first luxury hotel and for-sale residence offering. As part of the Viceroy team, you’ll help bring our signature experiential hospitality to one of North America’s most iconic, year-round mountain destinations
The Pool Server / Bartender is responsible for delivering elevated food and beverage service in a relaxed outdoor poolside environment while ensuring exceptional guest experiences aligned with Viceroy luxury hospitality standards. This role combines both serving and bartending responsibilities while supporting pool, cabana, lounge, and seasonal food & beverage operations throughout the resort.
This role requires strong guest engagement, operational flexibility, and the ability to perform in a fast-paced outdoor hospitality environment while maintaining professionalism, presentation standards, and service consistency.
Responsibilities:
- Employees must at all times be attentive, friendly, helpful, and courteous to all guests, managers, and fellow employees.
- Provide friendly, attentive, and personalized food and beverage service to guests at the pool, cabanas, lounge areas, and surrounding outdoor resort spaces.
- Anticipate guest needs and create a relaxed yet elevated hospitality experience.
- Accurately take food and beverage orders and ensure timely delivery of all items.
- Check in with guests regularly to enhance satisfaction and promptly resolve any concerns or service requests.
- Prepare and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages according to resort standards, recipes, and presentation expectations.
- Maintain knowledge of cocktail recipes, featured beverages, seasonal offerings, menu items, ingredients, and dietary considerations.
- Ensure responsible alcohol service and compliance with all local liquor laws, food safety standards, and operational policies.
- Monitor guest alcohol consumption and handle alcohol service professionally and responsibly.
- Deliver food and beverage orders promptly while ensuring proper presentation, accuracy, and guest satisfaction.
- Communicate effectively with culinary, bar, stewarding, and leadership teams to maintain smooth service flow and operational efficiency.
- Set up, stock, maintain, and break down pool service stations, bars, cabanas, and operational areas according to standards.
- Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization throughout all poolside service and operational areas during each shift.
- Process guest payments accurately and handle cash, room charges, and credit card transactions responsibly.
- Complete opening, mid-shift, and closing side work assignments as required.
- Work collaboratively with bartenders, servers, runners, culinary teams, and leadership to ensure seamless resort operations.
- Support additional food & beverage outlets and resort operations as business demands and operational needs require.
- Participate in seasonal resort programming, special events, activations, and elevated guest experiences as assigned.
- Utilize proper communication and teamwork to support operational efficiency throughout food & beverage operations.
- Attend required meetings, trainings, and departmental lineups.
- Maintain regular attendance, punctuality, professional appearance, and grooming standards.
- Ensure overall guest satisfaction through professionalism, responsiveness, attention to detail, and elevated service execution.
- Perform other duties as assigned by management.
- Previous experience as a server, bartender, or in a similar hospitality role preferred.
- Previous luxury hospitality, resort, pool, or outdoor food & beverage experience preferred.
- Strong knowledge of food & beverage service standards and basic bartending skills.
- Knowledge of cocktail preparation, responsible alcohol service, and guest engagement standards preferred.
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced outdoor hospitality environment.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and guest service skills.
- Ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and maintain professionalism during high-volume periods.
- Must meet minimum age requirements for alcohol service.
- Food Handler and alcohol service certifications required or ability to obtain upon hire.
- Ability to stand and walk throughout the entire shift.
- Must be able to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull trays, supplies, and equipment up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and temperatures.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak resort seasons.
- Must maintain a positive, professional, and service-oriented demeanor at all times.