Careers at Gina’s Gelato | Nelson, British Columbia

We value three things above all else: graciousness, resourcefulness, and integrity. We’re on the lookout for detailed and creative people who live to go the extra mile and love to learn; team members who are ready to bring new ideas to the table so we can grow together.

Disclaimer: We’re about to get pretty detailed, but you should know if this is a good fit for you before you take time to apply.

And hey, if you like getting into the nitty-gritty details, you’re off to a good start for our team. :)

Our passion is making scratch-made gelato, sorbetto, desserts, drinks (and all the fun extras). We believe food made with the best ingredients and by the best team creates the best experiences both for the team and our guests.

We are all about creating a place for friends to gather and enjoy time with each other. No wifi. No tv. Just traditionally-made gelati (plural for “gelato), sorbetti (you guessed it: plural for sorbetto), and desserts made by hand in a vintage shop and enjoyed with good company.

And we do things a little differently than your everyday ice cream or gelato shop to create those great experiences: We look to provide five-star service in unexpected ways. This includes building out an upscale front of house (yes, including the washroom), gold-tray service (we literally use gold trays), personal french press service, and providing gelato and sorbetto tastings for each guest.

We’re constantly dreaming up new ways of presenting desserts, creating new flavours, and looking for ways to partner as locally as possible to get fresh ingredients close to home.

We expect a lot of each other but our team works together to give mountains back in return. If this sounds like the kind of team and work culture that would be second nature for you, please apply!

For those considering a move, Nelson offers a lifestyle that is hard to beat. As one of British Columbia’s most well-known unheard of (somehow, yes) mountain towns, the area is a hub for world-class backcountry skiing, cat/heli-skiing, snowboarding, old-school mountain biking, and incredible, often deserted hiking trails. It’s a place where independent arts, shops, and restaurants are set against a mountain-lake landscape, and where the wilderness is always a stone’s throw away.

Nelson anchors the West Arm of 104-km-long Kootenay Lake in the Selkirk Mountains. From our shop at 526 Victoria Street, Whitewater Ski Resort lies 22 km south (under a half hour by car), as do more than 400 km of bike trails.

• You’ll find snow here: Whitewater averages 1,200 cm (40 ft) of dry powder each winter and is surrounded by the largest cluster of commercial cat- and heli-ski operators on the planet. While we may lack in beginner-friendly terrain, we offer infinite skill progression for those who are dedicated.
• You’ll find singletrack here: Our old-school riding is considered some of the best on the planet (and most technical). Like our skiing, there is no limit to the skill level you can progress to.
• Lake Life: Paddle or swim as often as you want. The West Arm of Kootenay Lake is more protected than the main body’s open waters, and you’ll find tons of parks and public access points to beaches and paddle launches. The lake doesn’t freeze over, either, so you can get out year-round (well, maybe swimming if you’re an actual polar bear).
• Food Culture: With 40+ independent cafés, breweries, and restaurants, Nelson has the highest density of eateries per capita in British Columbia. In fact, for a story written for Hello BC, Gina’s independent (and not very scientific) study found Nelson had more eateries per capita than New York City. If you like food (and we assume you do), you’ll do well here.
• Heritage Core: Roughly 300 restored late-19th-century buildings house yoga studios, galleries, coffee shops, and retail in our little town—the most heritage sites in BC outside of Vancouver and Victoria.
• Connectivity: Though we’re tucked off the beaten track, West Kootenay Regional Airport offers direct flights to Vancouver when you need some city life away from our little city life.

Nelson’s compact layout places wilderness, culture, and a little city that lives bigger than it is all within a ten‑minute reach of Gina’s Gelato—our little corner of downtown, historic, wild Nelson.

Our team members deliver sweet experiences for our gelato guests while keeping the cleanest, safest, and most organized gelato shop (gelateria) — and making it look effortless.

There’s lots to learn, so what you don’t know yet, we’ll help you get there.

• Eligible to work in Canada and have secured local housing before start date (Nelson vacancy rates are low & housing for newcomers is notoriously difficult to secure).
• Local commute of 20 minutes or less preferred; daily long commutes during peak season and/or winter conditions have proven difficult in the past for our team; we strongly prefer local candidates.
• Summer-time commitment: You understand that this is the busiest time of year and you can commit to working from June 1 until the first week of September without vacations (we can make some accommodations for school and days may be swapped with co-workers, of course!)
• Minimum 20 hrs/week; able to stand up to 8 hrs/day, scoop repeatedly, and lift up to 25 kg, all with a positive attitude.
• Open to tasting and championing all menu items—including dairy, egg, nut, wheat, and grain products—so you can speak confidently about ingredients and suppliers.
• Bring a can‑do, resourceful mindset: view “problems” as creative challenges and find solutions that create outstanding guest experiences.
• Thrive in a team environment: naturally positive, uplifting, and committed to 5‑star service for guests and fellow team members.
• Use clean, respectful language at all times: no gossip, no divisive (social, political, etc.) or hurtful topics; steer conversations toward inclusivity and uphold everyone’s dignity, understanding that we all have different worldviews.
• Demonstrate integrity: be honest, own mistakes, follow through on commitments, and treat Gina’s Gelato as “everyone’s job,” pitching in where needed.
• Must arrive scent-neutral: no lingering odours from smoke, cannabis, or strong perfumes/colognes. Light, dessert-scented fragrance is allowed if used minimally. Smoking or vaping is not permitted on or near the premises.
• Contribute to our team‑run TikTok and social media (you’re comfortable on camera and helping out behind the lens, too)
• Stay flexible with changing duties and schedules—ready to lend a hand or new ideas as needs arise.
• Enjoy working with people of all ages, listening to early 20th‑century music on shift, and adhering to our vintage‑inspired dress standards.

Positions Available: Openings for summer servers; training begins mid‑April to May. Outstanding performers earn priority for future summers or potential year‑round roles.

• Deliver gracious, knowledgeable, upbeat service to guests of all ages, embodying Gina’s Gelato’s values.
• Maintain shop sparkle: clean gelato displays, equipment, tables, chairs, shelves, glass surfaces, walls, waste bins, and floors.
• Ensure each flavour is fully stocked and presented attractively.
• Offer gelato and sorbetto samples; share flavour stories, ingredient origins, and local‑supplier tidbits.
• Prepare orders to guest requests, operate the POS, and handle cash transactions accurately.
• Work flexible shifts—early, mid‑day, or late evenings—and support team members across roles.
• Serve canine‑friendly treats outdoors and collaborate with kitchen staff on service and menu ideas.
• Monitor supplies (cones, cookies); alert kitchen when stock runs low and assist with inventory tracking.
• Approach challenges resourcefully, turning “problems” into memorable guest experiences.

Extras: Barista experience and FoodSafe certification are strong bonuses.

Schedule: We are open year-round with the exception of Christmas until January (our “long winter’s nap”), and our hours are based on the season. Summer positions are asked to be available the entire summer season until at least the first week of September (preferably through the end of September, with reduced hours considered as needed for local students) with a potential to continue year-round.

• For students: During the school year, we try to accommodate requests for hours around school commitments as best we can and invite you to bring your school work to work with you so you can stay on top of your studies (during slow periods, of course ;)

Wages: We meet or exceed minimum wage requirements; wages are updated each June to meet new provincial requirements.

Advancement: Yup! We prefer to promote and hire from within. We are interested in our staff’s individual goals and want to be a place that provides learning and mentorship however we can. (i.e. successful candidates will have a great desire to learn & grow. :) We believe in doing our best work together while respecting each person’s individual strengths and aspirations. We’re not perfect yet but aim to create a place where we enjoy our work, can contribute meaningfully, and feel supported in a true team-driven environment.

Servers: Hours & Starting Wages

Servers: Gina’s Gelato was intentionally created as a space to gather into the evening—offering a warm, atmospheric alternative to bars and restaurants. Our hours reflect that vision. We start our day as early as 10:30a in the summer and 1:00p in other months, with shift hours extending into the later evening, especially in the summer months. Please keep in mind that afternoon and evening availability is required (because that’s when we’re open ;).

• Year‑round servers start at $17.85 /hr + tips; reviewed each June for advancement.
• Summer & part‑time servers: $17.85 /hr + tips.
• Hours are up to 40 hours a week; we may hire part time or full-time depending on current needs
• Shifts start at or after 10:30 a.m. and run into the evening
• Summer servers: minimum commitment from June 1 to September; up to 40 hrs/week without requests for multiple days off (shift swaps with your team members are okay!)
• Top summer performers receive priority for future year‑round roles and/or are welcomed back for the following season.

If you’ve read through all of this, you’re exactly the detailed, thorough candidate we’re looking for, and we’d like to talk more.

Psst:This is our way of saying that being detailed and thorough is a requirement of our team, so here’s your chance to decide if we’re a good fit!

We combine application and first interview in one online process via Vervoe. Once you click the link below and register, you’ll have four days to submit video, audio, and written responses at your own pace. Please ensure you have a device that can record both video and audio.

Click the button to apply online

Server Application

You’re welcome to drop in during open hours to chat with our team and see if the vibe fits you.

We review each completed Vervoe application and invite selected candidates to an in‑person interview. Due to volume, we cannot respond to every applicant. If you do not hear from us, the role has been filled or we don’t currently have a position matching your skill set. We keep applications on file for future positions and will contact you if a suitable opportunity arises.

Please do not drop off resumes in person; only applications submitted via the links above will be considered.