Guest Engagement Seasonal

POSITION SUMMARY 

This position is designed for responsible, energetic, and outgoing persons interested in guest engagement and education in an informal science institution. This position delivers interpretive programs, including narrating training and scheduled chats, conducting animal encounters, leading engaging activities and participating in interactive theater shows related to conservation engagement to guests on Zoo grounds. Seasonal Educators must maintain a high level of enthusiasm while interacting with individuals and groups in a variety of interpretive situations as well as working cooperatively and collaboratively as a team with volunteers and full-time education staff providing outstanding customer service. 

This position is a seasonal position. The work week is 40 hours per week. There is MANDATORY training every weekend starting March 21, and 40 hours a week starts the week of Memorial Day.

At the zoo we look for employees who are passionate about conservation, who approach their daily work with a can do attitude, who are resourceful, who communicate respectfully with everyone, and are ready to work hard to support the zoo towards its mission. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Narrator: Leads and facilitates public presentations at exhibits and animal demonstrations. Presents the natural history and conservation information that provides guests with the opportunity to take conservation action on Zoo grounds and at home. 
2. Animal Handling: Follows all animal handling procedures and protocols in place, including completion of basic animal handling training with the opportunity to advance based on time and skill level. 
3. Giraffe Encounter Facilitation: Assists guests in safely feeding and interacting with the giraffes. Answers questions and interprets giraffe natural history to connect Utah’s Hogle Zoo’s visitors with the giraffes. Collaborates with volunteers and Zoo Staff in several departments to successfully manage the Giraffe Encounter and ensure guest and animal safety. 
4. Discovery Theater Facilitation: Leads and facilitates dynamic, outdoor, play-based learning at the Discovery Theater area. Engages children and families in theatrical play, nature exploration, and animal discovery. Maintains a safe and fun environment for all guests. The facilitator is responsible for handling live animals, including invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, and ensuring their safety.
5. Special Events Support: Supports special events on zoo grounds including temporary exhibits, sponsorship events, and awareness days. Enhances the guests' experience through guided activities, demonstrations, activation of program areas, informal learning opportunities, and other duties as assigned. These events may occur after regular zoo operating hours. 
6. Program Support: Organizes, inventories, and restocks all program and exhibit materials and supplies. Responsible for setting up and break down of programs and activities. Maintains cleanliness of the areas. Assists in recording attendance and supporting program evaluation though observations and feedback. 
7. Communication: Provides excellent customer service to Utah’s Hogle Zoo’s guests. Communicates effectively and professionally with peers, supervisors, and other Zoo staff members. Proactively communicates with the Guest Engagement Supervisor and Education Director relating to exhibit and program needs. 
8. Supports other Education programs as needed. 
9. Represents Utah’s Hogle Zoo in a professional and positive manner. 
10. Complies with all Zoo policies and procedures. 
11. Performs various tasks as assigned. 
12. Adheres to and promotes Utah’s Hogle Zoo's mission, core values, and strategic initiatives. 
13. Ability to work evenings, weekends and over-time as needed. 
14. Performs other duties as assigned. 
15. Maintains strict confidentiality. 

 REQUIRED EXPERIENCE 

Education and Experience 

• One year of college and six months of presentation/guest service work experience preferred. Must have coursework in Education, Human Development, Drama, or Biology. 
• Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills. 
• Must be able to work individually as well as with a team. 
• Prior teaching experience in outdoor or informal learning settings. 
• An interest in Education, Environmental Studies, Life Sciences, Zoology, or Biology preferred, but not required.  
• Must be willing and able to interact with a diverse audience and a variety of ages. 
• Must be comfortable handling animals and biofacts (with training), while demonstrating enthusiasm and a commitment to high quality programming and care for our guests.  
• Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions, and be able to walk long distances repetitively. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

This list contains knowledge, skills, and abilities that are typically associated with the job. It is not all-inclusive and may vary from position to position: 

Required technical skills include the knowledge and ability of: 

• Computer operations and technical software applications. 
• Microsoft Office Suite. 

Must possess excellent communications skills: 

• Interpersonal conflict resolution.  
• Knowledgeable in interpretation techniques. 
• Able to speak in front of large crowds on a microphone. 
• Effectively promote organization and services offered. 
• Interpersonal communication theory and methods. 
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing. 

Must have the ability to: 

• Follow written and verbal instructions. 
• Apply critical thinking techniques. 
• Analyze and solve problems. 
• Prioritize work. 
• Perform within deadlines. 
• Work well in a team environment as well as independently. 
• Memory for details. 

The incumbent must always demonstrate judgment, high integrity, and personal values consistent with the values of the Hogle Zoo. 

Work Environment 

The incumbent performs outside in the Utah summer, though all of our stations are in the shade and occasionally inside. Tasks require a variety of physical activities which do not generally involve muscular strain, but do require activities related to walking, standing, bending, stooping, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing and seeing. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required to perform essential functions requires lifting of up to 35 lbs.