It’s that time again… A Day in the Life is back! Three of our rockstar team members decided to sit down and tell us a bit about what a day in their respective positions is all about. This month features Diana, a Cashier, Jason with Security and Aron, an EMT. Let’s jump in and hear what they had to say!
Diana, Cage Cashier
Diana is originally from Michoacán, Mexico, moving to the US at 15 years old. She has been with us since day 1, and proven herself to be an integral part of the Cashier Team for the entirety of her Graton Career.
How did you hear about the position?
I heard about the position locally and wanted to apply because of past experience I had with jobs that required handling money.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
When I get in we quickly meet with our team and then get our bank assignment for the day. There are multiple banks that we can be assigned to including Kiosk Bank (for ATM’s), Main Bank which is in charge of all money at the Cashier, and Fill Bank which is for restocking gaming tables.
Fill Bank is my favorite because of the hours that we are assigned there. I like getting an early start to my day so that I can get off and spend some daylight hours with my three kids.
What do you like about your role?
I like how supportive my team is, as one of the biggest factors of enjoyment in my position. There’s always someone there to assist you when you need it, and it truly feels like a second family. We make sure to take time out to have picnics and barbeques. I’m also a people person and my role allows me to interact with so many different team members and guests.
As for the property overall, I love going to Tony’s Pizza in my off time or when I have the chance. Their pizzas are amazing!
What advice would you give to prospective candidates that are interested in joining your department?
When you come into the role, try to take things slow and absorb information. As a cashier, you will be responsible for handling large amounts of money and it is our responsibility to make sure things are done properly. It will probably feel really overwhelming at first, but always remember that your team is here to help you. So take it slow. You’ll have three weeks to train and even beyond that, you can always ask questions. We ultimately want new team members to enjoy what we do and stay with us. Our management team is really great and always happy to be a resource when you need it.
You should also remember that whether you are an extroverted or introverted person, you will end up engaging with a lot of people every day. There’s no need to feel shy though, because over time it will become routine to you.
Jason, Security
Jason is from San Francisco, but he has spent a majority of his time living in and around Santa Rosa. He has been a Security Officer since before the casino opened “before the dry wall and floors were even put in place”!
How did you hear about the position?
At the time I was unemployed, and I had heard a casino would be opening in the area. Being a former Law Student, I decided that I could give security a shot to get a starting point in learning to handle different situations and to get used to interacting with high volumes of people.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
To start the day, I clock in and our team meets for a ten-minute briefing. From there, we are sent to our first post of the day. Positions switch every two hours so you get to experience different areas. Sometimes we are required to stand at a stationary post. Other times, we may be required to roam and cover larger sections, but each day is dynamic; no two days are the same. While at our posts, our goal is to make sure that all areas are safe and hazard free, and that all guests and team members are interacting in a manner that is safe. We also act in an informational role, answering guest questions and providing suggestions for dinner recommendations.
Aside from that, we carry out administrative duties, assisting with transporting “fills” or gaming funds to various areas of the casino, and helping Slot Technicians or Engineers carry out their assigned duties while keeping the area clear.
What do you like about your role?
My belief is that our efforts should always be to provide exceptional customer service, and my position allows me the opportunity to do so. I love seeing and meeting new people, watching giant jackpot hits, and just helping guests that may have a lot of stress in their day to day lives to unwind and leave feeling better than when they arrived.
I’ve also had some great experiences meeting famous people, one being Professional Chef and Culinary Ambassador Martin Yan which was very exciting! No matter who walks through our doors, one of the best feelings is to have guests let you know that you’ve provided exceptional service.
I also have the opportunity, because I work at a casino, to enjoy the property in my off time. I’m a Table Games player so I enjoy Single Deck Blackjack from time to time when I’d like to test my own luck. When I’m not playing, I like to stop by Tony’s of North Beach or Habit for a burger, or I skip to dessert and visit Scoops (probably more than I should!)
What advice would you give to prospective candidates that are interested in joining your department?
Go online and apply. There are all types of fun experiences to be had in this role. We have a fantastic, supportive team that actively looks to help place you in larger roles if that’s what you’re looking for, or to give you the extra knowledge and training to be successful. It’s a very cool thing to be able to speak openly with higher ups within the company too, and that’s just another example of what makes Graton such a great place to work.
I would suggest this role to those that consider themselves to be hardworking, punctual, and hungry to learn exactly what’s required to deal with a wide range of potential scenarios. The more you meet new people and take in new information, the more quickly you will become comfortable in the position.
Overall, I think potential future team members should know that our role is not to be tough on guests or team members. It is to provide a safe environment and to provide exceptional guest service.
Aron, EMT
Aron was born in Guatemala before moving to Santa Rosa. He has been a Graton Team Member since January of 2021 and became an EMT Security Officer in June of 2022.
How did you hear about this position?
I was driving back from my dad’s job and saw a billboard for Graton Careers and thought I’d give it a go. It was something I’ve never tried before, being that my previous experience is in food service, but I think that you can never know your limits until you try them. Since joining I feel like I learn so much each day.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
Being an EMT, it is my responsibility to make sure all of our medical bags are stocked with the supplies we need in the event that we encounter any medical situations throughout my shift, so that’s the first thing I do. Just making sure they’re clean, organized and nothing’s missing.
Sometimes the day requires immediate medical assistance for guests that may be in trouble. Other times it’s assisting guests that may be intoxicated or under the influence. And then other times it can be routine activities like assisting with transporting money or materials around property as needed. A big priority is placed on common injuries; your slips, trips or falls, and taking the time to provide proper medical care to those individuals. We also have to look out for our fellow team members as well, making sure that they feel safe and secure while they do their work. So, it’s a bit of a hybrid position with a variety of different duties each day.
What do you like about your role?
Working as an EMT here, I feel like I have been and continue to receive the time to learn and build up my confidence. That’s probably what I like and appreciate most. Having that introductory time to ask questions and get what I need to know is so valuable considering my experience when I started was limited.
I also like that our supervisors provide different opportunities to learn when you show that you want to grow with the company and do more.
Another thing I appreciate about my role is the thankfulness of guests when you take care of them. It’s an amazing feeling when you help someone in need. We had a guest with a lost wallet that was quite upset. The value from his wallet wasn’t money; it was pictures and items from his past that held strong sentimental value to him that couldn’t be replaced. We were able to find and safely return his wallet with everything in it and he couldn’t have been happier. That’s just one of many examples of some of the good experiences you can have in this position.
What advice would you give to prospective candidates that are interested in joining your department?
A lot of people assume that there are constant, intense situations you have to deal with all the time. This is not the case, however there are moments when you may be in very uncomfortable situations and you have to be able to rely on your training and knowledge in order to handle each situation you are presented with effectively. If you have the drive and you’re showing your team you have a willingness to learn and grow in your profession, you will be given opportunities to step into larger roles.
A lot of us will tell you (and it’s true) that it is not our intention to report difficult circumstances. In fact, that’s the part we dislike. Our intention is to provide the best environment and assistance we can to those we interact with.
If you’re new to Security or to the casino world, you can always rely on your management team and your coworkers to help you build the confidence you need to succeed. We are all here for you.
Thank you all for reading, and for taking the time to get to know some of our fantastic team members! If you’re interested in joining our team and would like to see some of the positions we have available, please visit our Careers Page. For the latest in Graton content including jackpot wins, delicious food and drink specials, brand new property promotions and more, please feel free to drop a like and follow on any of our social media channels. See you soon!
