Part-Time Public Engagement Facilitator

Shedd Aquarium•Chicago, IL

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Engagement Facilitator delivers high-quality guest engagements, interacting daily with Shedd guests, youth learners, donors, and other stakeholders. Facilitators deliver a wide variety of experiences, ranging from small-scale, unscripted conversations in the galleries to small-group tours behind-the-scenes to large-scale presentations on a microphone for 1,000-person audiences in the Oceanarium amphitheater. There is a strong performance element in this role. This position requires learning multiple program outlines, aquatic world content, and information related to taking action for animals. The position requires a strong ability to apply improvisational techniques and dynamically engage audiences off-script. Tailoring content to various audiences and rapidly adapting and evolving to guest and aquarium needs are important skills, as is the ability to connect with diverse audiences with cultural competency.

Requirements

High School diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
1+ years of experience in a role that requires daily communication with the public required.

Nice To Haves

Some college preferred.
Experience in education, public speaking, theatre, and/or improvisation preferred.
Experience delivering programs to a variety of audiences in a museum, zoo, or aquarium setting preferred.
Experience in aquatic science and/or biology preferred.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission, and values
Proactively interact with guests and animal care team members
Learn and facilitate multiple scripts and outlines featuring a variety of Shedd’s 32,000 animals, tailoring content to a variety of audiences
Learn script and outline revisions, blocking adjustments, and ongoing program content updates
Dynamically engage guests about the aquatic world throughout the aquarium
Communicate ways to take action to protect animals and our planet
Tailor content to various audiences, adapting key messages based on audience
Demonstrate cultural competence through interactions and approach to engagement
Improvise and facilitate content based on audience responses, interest, and knowledge
Include the audience voice and participation elements in experiences
Work near animals, strictly adhering to all established protocols
Serve as a role model to staff and volunteers for guest interactions and knowledge
Attend training workshops as scheduled
Demonstrate continued growth in content knowledge and increased aptitude in program delivery/facilitation
Collaborate closely with leaders to set goals, develop skills, and integrate feedback for professional growth
Assist in orienting and onboarding new hires
Serve on interdepartmental teams
Other duties as needed or assigned