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Volunteer Registration

PAID | NJ TIPS Certified Bartender

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Deadline: Aug 01, 2025 11:59 pm (GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
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Autumn Lights Festival
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Date: Sep 27, 2025 11:00 am - Sep 27, 2025 11:00 pm (EDT)
place
109 Airport Rd, West Milford, New Jersey 07480, United States

About the event

Welcome to the 31st Annual Autumn Lights Festival! West Milford, NJ | September 27, 2025 Celebrate the magic of fall at one of New Jersey’s most iconic seasonal events! Nestled in the Heart of the Highlands, the Autumn Lights Festival returns for its 31st year—bringing together live music, local food, arts, community showcases, and interactive experiences in the crisp autumn atmosphere for an unforgettable weekend. Event Overview: This single day festival is held on NJ State Parks property and is free to attend. Enjoy live performances, community entertainment, and a vibrant fall atmosphere at no cost. However, to enter the festival grounds, all attendees must have a valid parking pass or utilize the no-cost drop-off zone. Parking passes are required per vehicle, and help support festival operations and state park fees. Hours of Operation: Saturday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Let’s light up the night—together. Grab your flannel, pack your festive spirit, and get ready to make some core memories under the autumn sky. We'll see you there! The Autumn Lights Festival, a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, has become a cherished tradition in beautiful West Milford, NJ over the past 31 years. This event continues to bring our community together to celebrate the vibrant colors and spirit of autumn with activities, performances, and vendors geared to attendees of all ages and backgrounds. Tens of thousands of visitors flock to our town annually to enjoy a festival filled with live music, delicious food, arts and crafts, and family-friendly activities. This festival has grown and improved every year since its inception - and this year's event looks to be the biggest and best ALF yet! Located in the Heart of the Highlands in West Milford, NJ, the former “Warner Bro.’s Jungle Habitat” property located within Ringwood State Park provides the Autumn Lights Festival with an expansive park-like environment to bring out the best West Milford offers. Just steps from public transportation, shops, bars/restaurants and several historic and contemporary AirBnB’s, Jungle Habitat and downtown West Milford, NJ come alive when transformed into an oasis of energy, activity, sound, and color by ALF. Housing several artists on the main stage, the Jungle Habitat grounds provide plenty of room to roam, take in local artist installations, check out vendor booths, grab a bite to eat, or simply relax and enjoy the show.
Festival Works
Festival Works
Contact Organizer
Festival Works
Festival Works
Contact Organizer

About the application

Let’s goooo — time to pour some fun (responsibly, of course). The NJ TIPS Certified Bartenders are the face of the beer garden and VIP lounges — slinging drinks with charm, speed, and a sharp eye for safety. They keep the vibes high and the underage out. NJ TIPS Certified Bartender Department: Beverage Services Type: Paid Position Rate: $100–$200/day (based on experience; 10–12 hour shifts) Schedule: September 26th–28th (plus setup training 9/25) Reports To: Beverage Manager / Operations Lead Role Summary: You’ll be behind the bar in our Beer Garden or VIP Tent, serving up good times to our guests while maintaining top-tier service and strict compliance with state and festival alcohol policies. You’re quick with a pour, quicker with a smile, and firm when you need to be. Duties & Responsibilities: -Serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages quickly and professionally -Double Check IDs — no ID, no drink, no exceptions -Manage drink tokens, cash, and POS systems as needed -Keep your bar area clean, organized, and stocked -Communicate with security when a guest is overdoing it or being disruptive -Follow all state liquor laws and TIPS alcohol safety protocols -Support setup and breakdown of bar areas as assigned -Be a welcoming, friendly face — the fun AND responsible kind Qualifications: -Must be TIPS Certified in New Jersey (certificate must be current through event dates) -1+ year bartending experience at festivals, bars, or high-volume events -Strong knowledge of standard drink recipes and portions -Able to stand for long periods, lift up to 40 lbs, and work outdoors -Excellent communication, customer service, and conflict de-escalation skills -Must be 21+ and able to work full shift hours Bonus if you: -Know how to pace a crowd during peak hours -Have worked festival bars or high-traffic beer gardens -Can keep the line moving while remembering someone’s favorite IPA Raise the bar (literally) and join the crew that keeps the party flowing — because nobody remembers a dry festival.

Terms & Conditions

Bartenders & Servers – Information Guide Event Dates & Hours of Operation: Friday, September 26, 2025 ~ 4:00 PM -11:00 PM Saturday, September 27, 2025 ~ 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday, September 28, 2025 ~ 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM Event Location: Autumn Lights Festival will be held at Long Pond Ironworks State Park Multiuse Trail Area (formerly “Jungle Habitat” theme park), 109 Airport Road, West Milford, NJ 07480. Bartender Shift Schedules: FRIDAY (1 shift): 4 pm – 11 pm (7 Hours) - $100 Shift Pay SATURDAY (2 shifts): 1st Shift – 11 am -5 pm – 6 hours – $90 Shift Pay 2nd Shift – 5 pm-11pm– 6 Hours – $90 Shift Pay Bartenders may work both shifts if you so choose. SUNDAY (1 shift): 11 am – 9 pm (10 Hours) - $150 Shift Pay Service Products & Methods: We are serving draft beer, wine, and RTD (“ready to drink”) cocktails. Bottled beers, wine, malted drinks, and possibly spirited canned drinks may also be available. Hard liquor will not be served. As per NJ State Parks guidelines, beverages will be poured as 12-ounce beers in 16-ounce cups and 5-ounce wines in 9-ounce cups. Staff Payment: The following breakdown discusses how bartenders will be paid. Shift Pay: Shift pay and credit card tips will be paid within 30 days after ALF ends. Direct deposit information and a completed Tax Form W2 must be provided by the bartender to Festival Works upon check-in before each bartender’s first shift. Cash Tips: Tips given in cash at the bar will be pooled among all servers on each shift. Money drops will be done in the production trailer drop safe periodically during the event by the Hospitality Coordinator and/or Festival Director (Chris Carey) and Assistant Director (Matt Conlon), counted in front of all servers, and paid in cash upon shift completion. Credit Card Tips: Tips left on credit card payments will be paid within 30 days after ALF ends via direct deposit (taxes will not be withheld on tips). Certifications: NJ TIPS certification is required as per NJ State Parks regulations. Bartenders must have a printed copy on their person (wallet, purse, pocket, etc.) during their shifts. All bartenders MUST email the certificate to Assistant Director Matt Conlon with Festival Works before the event: matt@festivalworksusa.com Staffing Coverage: FRIDAY SHIFT: Biergarten - 6 servers, VIP Tent – 2 servers SATURDAY FIRST SHIFT: Biergarten - 6 servers, VIP Tent – 2 servers SATURDAY SECOND SHIFT: Biergarten – 6 servers, VIP Tent – 2 servers SUNDAY SHIFT: Biergarten – 6 servers, VIP Tent – 2 servers Duties: Upon arrival, servers will prep your stations and obtain till counts before starting your shift. You will make sure you are fully stocked with cups, garbage cans are lined and in place, and any ice needed is stocked. You will test all taps to ensure proper pouring is correct. The Hospitality Coordinator will meet with staff to discuss ABC guidelines and how the 5-tab wristband and drink ticket system are to be conducted. Customer Payments: There is no cash accepted at the bar (except tips). Patrons can pay at the bar only with a drink ticket or a credit card. Drink tickets are sold at kiosks in the Biergarten and VIP Tent. 5-Tab Wristband Rules: As per NJ State Parks guidelines, patrons aged 21+ who wish to drink must provide appropriate ID at a security checkpoint (located at all three festival entrances as well as the Biergarten and VIP Tent) to obtain a 5-tab wristband. Customers will hand the bartender tabs from their wristbands along with a drink ticket or credit card payment at point of sale. The maximum per transaction is 1 beverage per adult, and one wristband tab must be provided for each beverage. This is as per ABC’s directive on our approved Social Affair Permit. Staff Parking: Festival Works will advise all bartenders as to the staff parking location nearby as the event approaches. Bartenders do not need to purchase parking passes for the days they are working. Uniform: All bartenders will either wear a Festival Works/ALF staff shirt or ALL BLACK ATTIRE as directed by the festival director.

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PAID | NJ TIPS Certified Bartender
PAID | NJ TIPS Certified Bartender
Autumn Lights Festival
Application in draft mode