Zoo Guest Services Assistant

Santa Fe College•Gainesville, FL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The application deadline for this position is 11:59pm EST on October 26, 2026. The Santa Fe College (SF) Teaching Zoo is a unique, 10-acre zoo in Gainesville, Florida, and is the only zoo on a college campus accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Home to over 70 different species of animal and maintained by SF students in the premier Zoo Animal Technology program, the zoo showcases a diverse collection that contains both native and exotic species for all to enjoy. This position facilitates and administers the day-to-day operations of a tailored program or a unique activity focus, providing specialized support services and performing routine duties as part of a team that emphasizes accuracy, regulatory compliance, operational integrity, and/or stewardship of financial resources. Work is generally task-oriented and commonly supports a program, department, division or collegewide purpose which includes non-college student lifecycle program administration. This position operates within ownership of defined work areas but within established procedures and departmental direction. This position performs routine tasks within structured workflows with limited complexity in day-to-day tasks. This position applies established departmental and college policies in daily work and uses limited discretion to resolve routine problems or issues, with decisions primarily being task focused and impacting the accuracy, timeliness and quality of assigned work. This position may also support budget activities through routine fiscal processing, including monitoring and tracking expenditures and processing financial transactions. Additionally, this position may provide direction and guidance to other workers to support completion of work and may be the supervisor of record for other staff including full-time employees.

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent with two (2) years of related work experience or a combination of completed education and/or related work experience equal to two (2) years.
A criminal background check will be conducted.
Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.
Adaptability to Change – able to be flexible and supportive, able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapid growth environment.
Communication – able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.
Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned, sensible, and timely decisions based on careful, objective review and informed analysis of available information, considerations, and other factors.
Customer Service – ability to respond promptly and courteously to all questions from students and faculty, demonstrating patience and persistence when helping students with little or no computer skills.
Detail Oriented - Proven accuracy and attention to detail.
Ethics – able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.
Organization & Time Management – able to plan, schedule, and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames.
Problem Solving – proven skills in identifying issues, determining their cause, developing creative solutions, and following through with implementing resolutions.
Team Orientation & Interpersonal — highly motivated team-player with ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with all levels within and external to the organization.
Relationship Management – able to personally provide high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.
Results Orientation – proven ability to set and exceed established targets.
Systems & Software - proficient level of knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.
Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate, manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action, and apply the appropriate response.

Nice To Haves

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
Preference will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of veterans.

Responsibilities

Provides guest services support for the Teaching Zoo by greeting visitors, answering phones and emails, responding to inquiries, processing admissions and sales, and assisting in the resolution of routine issues in accordance with pre-determined college policies and department practices, making appropriate referrals as needed.
Performs a variety of tasks involving routine, step-by-step work that follows established procedures and guidelines, with limited discretion in resolving issues and which requires escalation for guidance and determination of appropriate actions.
Supports the day-to-day administration of the tailored program or unique activity focus by performing routine operational tasks in accordance with departmental procedures and practices.
Schedules group visits and related logistics, including field trips, tours, birthday parties, and special programs by receiving requests, obtaining required information, confirming availability and arrangements, and communicating visit requirements.
Assigns students to daily roles and coverage based on established staffing needs and student availability, providing direction and adjusting assignments as needed to address absences and maintain coverage.
Completes data entry and maintenance functions for zoo membership activities, including entering and maintaining member information and tracking membership expirations and renewals, and drafts, edits, and revises correspondence, reports, and other materials following established procedures and directives.
Researches, compiles, and reviews data to prepare reports, summaries, and/or replies to inquiries, and maintains spreadsheets and other data tools to support reporting and special project needs.
Maintains accurate departmental databases, program records, and operational documentation ensuring accuracy, organization, confidentiality, and data integrity.
Processes and reconciles admissions, gift shop, and other point-of-sale transactions, resolving routine discrepancies as needed and referring unresolved or complex issues to supervisor.
Monitors gift shop inventory, organizes and stocks merchandise, and assists with selecting gift shop items.
Assists with fiscal and budget-related operations by preparing, processing, and maintaining documentation for transactions including requisitions, purchase orders, invoices, spend authorizations, expense reports, receipts, and budget amendments in accordance with established procedures.
Supports procurement and operational activities by submitting purchasing transactions, maintaining related documentation, monitoring orders through completion, and assisting with other operational support functions as assigned.
Responds to guest or student emergencies by communicating with SFPD, EMS, and other responders; facilitating access and communication; providing assistance to the individual; and completing related incident documentation in accordance with established procedures.
Assists with facility, IT, and other work orders by facilitating access and communicating with Zoo staff.
May monitor and track expenditures by reviewing budget reports and may support budget development by maintaining accurate records and ensuring spending remains aligned with approved budgets.
May organize and facilitate meetings and special events by coordinating logistics such as space scheduling, venue selection, facility arrangements, staffing, and agenda development; supports the event by tracking attendance, distributing materials, taking minutes, hospitality services, and clean up.
May maintain individual schedules, coordinate appointments and priorities and arrange travel arrangements when appropriate, including submitting travel requisitions.
May support payroll functions by auditing and verifying timesheet entries and absence requests in Workday, ensuring timely submission and accuracy prior to supervisor approval.
May support hiring processes by performing various tasks including but not limited to initiating job requisitions, retrieving and compiling candidate documentation, and providing documentation to new hires to include policies and procedures and pay schedules.
May assist in maintaining the department’s web and social media presence by coordinating content updates and submitting requests to Marketing and Communications for publication.
May provide direction and guidance to other workers to support the completion of work and may be the supervisor of record for full-time employees.
Communicates, collaborates and maintains relationships with internal and external community constituents.
Keeps a record of operating procedures and may share position specific knowledge, including use of collegewide ERP and related system processes, by providing guidance on standard operations and established departmental procedures as needed.
Provides service to the college through participation in events, committees, and other college activities.
Complies with all published College Rules, procedures, guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees, including but not limited to those related to document retention and destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality.
Strictly honors the privacy, security, and confidentiality of records and other sensitive information according to appropriate state, federal, and college regulations, policies, and procedures.
Provides service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.
Performs other duties as assigned.