Wild Encounters Team

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden•Cincinnati, OH

20h•$14•Onsite

About The Position

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is known for many things: our conservation efforts, our green initiatives, and our friendly staff, but did you know that we have a strong set of core values that make us the best team around and a Top Workplace in Cincinnati? We’re more than coworkers…we’re family. By building Collaborative Relationships , displaying Positivity & Energy , having Pride, Passion & a Sense of Ownership , supporting Accountability, Mutual Trust & Respect, and embracing Progressive Thinking , we have built a team of dedicated staff that focuses on our visitors, our community & our future. This is what we believe and how we act. If this gets you fired up, we look forward to having you join the team! Working with the Wild Encounters program, you will have the opportunity to have hands-on experience in several different visitor engagement areas. The goal of this unique department is to create genuine and memorable experiences for our visitors by bringing them "close enough to care" through animal stations, interactions, and chats.

Requirements

Willingness to work amongst a variety of animal taxa, including reptiles and insects, is required.
A desire to engage and inspire visitors of all ages is required.
Have or working towards a degree in education or a life science (Zoology, Biology, Animal Science, etc.) required, or an equivalent combination of training and work experience.
A passion for conservation, education, wildlife, and an eagerness to make a difference in our natural world is required.
To be considered, candidates must be at least 18 years of age or older.
Employment is contingent upon passing a post-offer, pre-employment drug & nicotine screen and satisfactory background investigation.
All employees of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden must wear a mask for the duration of their shift and while on grounds. (Subject to current COVID-19 policies.)
You must also show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID .
Employees will be exposed to outside weather conditions year round and must be able to lift/move/carry up to 50 pounds without assistance.
The ability to work a flexible schedule (including weekends and evenings) is required.

Nice To Haves

Past animal handling and/or interpretation experience is desirable.
Public speaking experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Operating giraffe feedings, goat contact yard, Roo Valley, and other habitat areas.
Enthusiastically sharing facts and conservation messaging with visitors in inspiring and impactful ways.
Assisting with crowd management throughout the zoo, when needed.
Hosting chats throughout the zoo, sometimes using microphones to relay animal information and conservation messaging.
Monitoring World of the Insect building and Butterfly Aviary.
Handling of ambassador animals, including reptiles, and arthropods, for public programming and private events.
Working collaboratively within a blended department of staff, volunteers, ZooTeens.
Upholding safety measures in animal contact stations and during animal encounters, as needed.
Team members are expected to fulfill the above responsibilities while relentlessly pursuing and providing excellent visitor experience.