Jami Ward
Mountain Mesa,California
Summary
Restaurant management professional skilled in streamlining operations and elevating dining experiences. Known for driving team collaboration and fostering results-driven environment. Reliable and adaptable, consistently meeting evolving business needs. Expertise in staff training, customer service, and operational efficiency.
Experienced with overseeing all aspects of restaurant operations, ensuring smooth day-to-day functioning. Uses leadership skills to improve staff performance and drive customer satisfaction. Track record of maintaining high standards in food safety, inventory management, and service excellence.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Activities Assistant
Kern Valley Health Care District
07.2025 - Current
- Facilitated engaging recreational activities for residents, enhancing social interaction and community involvement.
- Developed and implemented individualized activity plans to meet diverse resident needs and preferences.
- Collaborated with healthcare staff to integrate therapeutic activities into patient care plans, promoting overall well-being.
- Trained new team members on activity schedules, safety protocols, and resident engagement techniques.
- Coordinated special events and outings, ensuring enjoyable experiences while adhering to safety regulations.
- Enhanced resident engagement by organizing and leading diverse activities such as arts, crafts, games, and outings.
- Promoted cognitive health by designing mentally stimulating activities such as trivia games, puzzles, and memory exercises.
Paraprofessional Substitute
Kern Union School District
02.2025 - 07.2025
- Improved classroom management by consistently enforcing rules and maintaining a structured environment.
- Assisted lead teachers in preparing materials for instructional use, streamlining daily tasks while promoting efficiency.
- Contributed to a safe learning environment, monitoring students during non-instructional times and addressing any concerns or issues promptly.
Eligibility Technician
Department of Human Services
01.2022 - 10.2023
- I screened all Cal Fresh, Medical, Cal Work and General Assistant Applications, scheduled appointments and conducted appointments granting benefits.
- This was a Data Entry job
- Maintain records of received data and source documents
- Comply with all company policies and procedures
- Enter data to include all new information and changes to old information
- Perform general clerical duties, including phone answering and document typing.
- Conduct interviews for benefits and then grant or deny County benefits to customers.
Kitchen Manager
Kern River Brewing Company
08.2012 - 07.2014
- Oversaw daily kitchen operations, ensuring compliance with food safety and sanitation standards.
- Managed inventory and ordering processes to maintain optimal stock levels and minimize waste.
- Trained and mentored kitchen staff on culinary techniques and best practices for efficiency.
- Developed seasonal menu items, incorporating local ingredients to enhance customer experience.
- Implemented cost control measures, reducing food costs while maintaining quality standards.
- Collaborated with front-of-house management to streamline service flow and improve guest satisfaction.
- Established positive relationships with vendors to negotiate favorable pricing and delivery terms.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations, providing feedback to foster staff development and retention.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Mentored and trained new team members, fostering a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration within the kitchen staff.
General Manager
Rivernook Campground
07.2014 - 09.2021
- Enhanced operational performance by developing effective business strategies, systems and procedures
- Delivered exceptional client experiences through hands-on leadership of associates and managers
- Strengthened product branding initiatives and maximized outreach by overseeing acquisitions, events and business development
- Tracked monthly sales to generate reports for business development planning
- Submitted Payroll, Quarterly and Yearly taxes
- Managed a 54-acre campground with 123 monthly tenants and roughly 1,200 daily campers with 18 employees
- Delegated projects and daily duties to staff to help with Team togetherness and to help the company to be successful
- Coordinated roughly 8-12 weddings per year in the Meadow of the Campground.
- Public Affairs Manager - During Covid 19 spearheaded a safety procedure to allow safe distance getaway and worked along side other businesses and campgrounds writing letters to State and County organizations with Camp Cal Now.
- Marketing Manager - worked on projects and ways to promote the campground and the Kern River Valley.
Owner
Eddy Out Tap House and Grill
03.2020 - 04.2022
- As Owner I was responsible for knowing all aspects of the restaurant industry and be able to work them at any given time
- We were able to keep our doors open during COVID which is when we opened
- Maintain friendly, positive demeanor in difficult customer situations
- Conduct routine and scheduled service checks
- Handle customer complaints and quickly resolve issues
- Maintain inventory records and place orders to restock supplies
- Maintain jobsite and timesheet records for operational efficiency
- Implement strict safety protocols, reducing work-related accidents
- Hire, onboard and train new employees, including instructing on food safety, customer service standards and operations
- Create weekly schedules based on predicted staffing needs, budget and employee requests
- Customer service Management
- Scheduling Training
- WORD Food service
- Sales POS
- Cashier Data entry
- Microsoft office
- Managed employees during fast-paced shifts, delegating responsibilities to ensure customer satisfaction
- Develop monthly and quarterly budget with updated ordering, staffing and marketing costs
- Conducted weekly meetings to communicate issues and weekly goals, answering and resolving employee questions or concerns
- Create and implement departmental policies, goals, and objects.
Education
Business Management - Business Management
Purdue Global Univeristy
Davenport, IowaHigh School Diploma -
Kern Valley High School
Lake Isabella06-1998
Skills
- Operations management
- Time management
- Efficient multi-tasker
- Customer relations
- Event planning
- Project management
- Scheduling
- Event setup and breakdown
- Event marketing
- Vendor relations
- Social media marketing
- Corporate events planning
- Guest management
- Fundraising
- Events logistics management
- Locating venues
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Talented public speaker
- Community engagement
- Community outreach
- Mac and PC proficient
- Team management
- Inventory control and record keeping
- Customer engagement
- Staff management
- Point of sale (POS) system operation
- Shift management
- Business operations expertise
- Menu development
Accomplishments
- Added, renewed and grew fundraising and donation contributions.
- 2021 Woman of the Year for the Kern River Valley
- Planned and Coordinated over 10 Community Events from 2015 to Current.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Have raised over $100,000 for local Non Profits, proving that I am community driven with strong community relations.
- Achieved Community Relationships during the Erskine Fire by providing a donation drive and sleeping areas for the fire survivors.
Awards
- Kern River Valley Woman of the Year in 2021
- 2016 and 2020 Whiskey Flat Mayor
Timeline
Activities Assistant
Kern Valley Health Care District
07.2025 - Current
Paraprofessional Substitute
Kern Union School District
02.2025 - 07.2025
Eligibility Technician
Department of Human Services
01.2022 - 10.2023
Owner
Eddy Out Tap House and Grill
03.2020 - 04.2022
General Manager
Rivernook Campground
07.2014 - 09.2021
Kitchen Manager
Kern River Brewing Company
08.2012 - 07.2014
High School Diploma -
Kern Valley High School
Business Management - Business Management
Purdue Global Univeristy