Public Events Experience Specialist

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium•Omaha, NE

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Events Experience Specialist supports the creative development and execution of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium’s public events. Reporting to the Director of Events, the role contributes to concept development, design, onsite delivery, and evaluation of large-scale programs that extend the Zoo experience beyond daytime visitation. The event portfolio includes more than 70 event nights annually and welcomes more than 150,000 guests, with events such as Zoolightful, Zootacular, Late Nights at the Zoo, and Shark Tunnel of Love. Working with Events leadership and cross-functional partners, the Specialist helps shape the guest journey from early research and concept development through event execution and post-event evaluation. The role includes coordinating vendors and logistics, supporting activations and guest engagement, and helping improve experiences based on feedback and performance insights. Public events are the primary focus, with occasional support for private event initiatives as needed. The position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

At least 2 years of experience supporting or coordinating events.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
Ability to balance creativity with practical considerations.
Self-motivation and willingness to take ownership of tasks and projects.
Service-oriented mindset and comfort engaging with guests and partners.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to collaborate across teams.
Comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving environment with changing priorities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and drug test.
Valid driver’s license with a good driving history.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Comfort standing and walking for extended periods during events.
Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays based on event schedules.
Ability to lift up to 30 pounds as needed for event setup and breakdown.

Nice To Haves

Experience in live events, hospitality, entertainment, or attractions.
Familiarity with event planning, ticketing, or project management tools.

Responsibilities

Support ideation and development of creative public event concepts aligned with the Zoo’s brand, mission, and audience goals.
Research trends and comparable events to inform new concepts and enhancements.
Help refresh existing events and contribute to experience design, including guest flow, atmosphere, storytelling, and moments of delight.
Partner with stakeholders, including Marketing and Education, to ensure event storytelling reflects the Zoo’s brand, mission, and work.
Support coordination of vendors, performers, partners, and experience providers under Events leadership.
Assist with event logistics, timelines, run-of-show details, and onsite coordination.
Serve as a welcoming presence during events, supporting activations and guest engagement.
Provide hands-on support during live events, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Work with Marketing on accurate and compelling event representation across digital platforms and promotional materials.
Collaborate with Business Systems and internal teams on ticketing setup and digital guest touchpoints.
Coordinate with Food and Beverage, Retail Operations, Guest Services, and other Zoo teams to align amenities, operational readiness, safety standards, and guest service expectations.
Support the guest journey from event discovery and ticket purchase through attendance and post-event follow-up.
Use guest feedback and performance insights to assess and refine event experiences.
Contribute to real-time adjustments, post-event learnings, and testing and iteration to improve quality and guest satisfaction.
Occasionally support private event experience initiatives as needed.