Employment

Position:  Events & Events Set up Assistant – Part Time

Reports to:  Events Managers

Coordinates with: All Zoo Departments 

Summary of Responsibilities: Guest Services staff are key members of the Elmwood Park Zoo staff and operate as the “face” of the zoo. The Elmwood Park Zoo Guest Services department operates in a variety of facets, and staff are expected to be knowledgeable in all areas. The Events Assistant has the opportunity to work at a number of locations, either indoors or outdoors, throughout the Elmwood Park Zoo. The Events Assistant must exhibit a positive, friendly, helpful attitude with guests and coworkers to maintain a quality zoo experience. Responsibilities include assisting with event prep, including but not limited to set-up, break down, program execution, and additional duties as assigned. Events assistant may have the opportunity to help guests daily by answering questions, providing information and assisting with special requests.  This individual should be highly motivated, responsible, and personable and should have a proactive attitude and show leadership skills. Staff are expected to have an outgoing personality, ability to problem-solve, and must follow protocol in the health and wellbeing of our animals.

EPZ Team Member Responsibilities:

• Assist the Zoo in fostering an appreciation of wildlife and the environment that will inspire active participation in conservation. 
• Assist in ensuring safety, cleanliness, and efficiency in all areas of the operations of the Zoo. 
• Be available to work as per business needs, including evenings and weekends.
• Follow and adhere to all policies and procedures for their specific department and the Zoo at all times
• Use proper radio etiquette, ability to use a multi-channel radio to communicate with other staff members and use appropriate procedures according to radio protocol.
• Proper dress attire at all times

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with event host and assist with event execution including overseeing event staff
• Ensure that rental spaces are prepared for events/meetings by coordinating with the Custodial Dept. for cleanliness and Maintenance Dept. to place requests to address any repair/maintenance needs.
• Assist/coordinate with various vendors on rented equipment delivery and pick-up; responsible for ensuring all vendors rented equipment is returned and maintained while on site
• Ensures rental and events division of Guest Services has appropriate materials for program and event operations.
• Assists with rentals, birthday parties, and other special events
• Assist with hall set-up and break down and follow up with banquet staff for details of event (linen colors and orders, table and chair setups, catering menus, and payment details)
• Coordinate with volunteers to help with event set up or break down
• Responsible for receiving deliveries of banquet supply such as linens, dishes, chairs, etc. And ensure all rental/event inventory are stocked and stored for optimum use
• Performs other duties as may be assigned 
• Full availability for any shift, minimum of (3) days per week including nights, weekends and some holidays (The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day, therefore you will not be scheduled to work on those holidays). 

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• Frequently standing for long periods of times
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Must have a valid Driver License 

• Strong communication skills. 
• Education: High School Diploma

Identification: Two forms of official valid identification is required. Ability to pass background and child abuse clearances

Wage range: Hourly 13.00-15.00

Position: Guest Services Representative

Reports to: Guest Services Management 

Coordinates with: All departments

Summary of Responsibilities: This individual should be highly motivated, responsible, and personable and should have a proactive attitude. Guest Services Representatives (GS Reps) are expected to have an outgoing personality, the ability to problem-solve, and must show an interest in our mission. Operating as the “face” of the organization, GS Reps serve a vital role at the zoo. The Elmwood Park Zoo Guest Services department operates in a variety of facets, and GS Reps are expected to be trained and knowledgeable in these areas. GS Reps have the opportunity to work at a number of locations, both indoors and outdoors, throughout the Zoo. To ensure a quality experience for all guests visiting the zoo, GS Reps are expected to be friendly, positive, and helpful. Responsibilities include but are not limited to, operating a point-of-sale system (POS cash register), cash handling, stocking, and inventory. GS Reps are expected to keep their areas neat and organized.  Guest Services Representatives also have the opportunity to help guests daily by answering questions, providing information and assisting with special requests. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to, assisting with event setup, breakdown, and execution, as well as assisting with small programs, such as birthday parties. 

EPZ Team Member Responsibilities:

• Assist the Zoo in fostering an appreciation of wildlife and their habitat that will inspire active participation in conservation.
• Assist management in ensuring safety, cleanliness, and efficiency in all areas of the operation of the Zoo. 
• Be available as per business needs.
• Always adhere to proper dress attire.
• Be prepared to work in various outdoor conditions.
• Always follow and adhere to all policies and procedures for their specific department and the organization.
• Use proper radio etiquette (must be able to use a multi-channel radio to communicate with other staff members) and adhere to appropriate procedures according to radio protocol.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure guests are properly greeted and assist at your assigned position.
• Communicate effectively with all guests and groups.
• Respond to guest needs and anticipate their unstated needs
• Ability to be trained in all necessary aspects of the Guest Services Department such as cashier, admissions sales, reception, guest/member check-in, retail sales, event facilitation, and other roles involved with public programming and zoo operations. This position also includes the potential to facilitate evening programs, events, and shows.
• Operate an assigned cash register making proper change, managing transactions, and ensuring a balanced till. 
• Keep the work area neat and orderly, including any merchandise presented and maintaining a professional and clean counter to customers. 
• Responsible for responding to customer inquiries regarding admission rates, hours of operations, memberships, special events, attractions, etc. 
• Inform managers of comments, complaints, or concerns.
• Contribute to the basic daily neatness and organization of the department and other areas. 
• Assist Guest Services team with restocking and inventory in Nature Shop which includes verifying and stocking merchandise when delivered for Nature Shop in accordance with SOP.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by Guest Services Management team.

Basic Qualifications

• This position may require prolonged standing.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 30 lbs.
• Must be able to work inside or outside in a variety of weather conditions.
• This role position requires full availability for any shift and a minimum of three days per week, including weekends, some nights, and some holidays. Normal shifts are 9:00AM – 5:30PM with variable night shifts.
• Bilingual is a plus.

• Education: High School Diploma/Equivalent 
• License: A valid Driver’s license/State ID and second form of valid identification is required. Ability to pass background and child abuse clearances.
• Wages: $8.00-$12.00 per hour depending on experience and qualifications

Position:   Facilities Custodial/Grounds Staff

Reports to: Facilities Director

Coordinates with:  All Departments 

Summary of Responsibilities: This individual must be a highly motivated individual responsible for the day to day maintenance of the Zoo grounds and buildings and must be an on hand team player. Must be able to work in all weather conditions. Assists with various infrastructure projects and works closely with Facilities team and contracted service companies. Communicates well and works well in a vision driven organization. Must be logical and be able to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; can see hidden problems and address them appropriately. This high energy individual enjoys challenging tasks and fast paced environment.

EPZ Team Member Responsibilities:

• Assist the Zoo in fostering an appreciation of wildlife and their habitats that will inspire active participation in conservation.
• Assist management in ensuring safety, cleanliness, and efficiency in all areas of the operation of the Zoo.
• Be available as per business needs.
• Follow and adhere to all policies and procedures and safety protocols for the department and the Zoo. 
• Use proper radio etiquette, call numbers and adhere to proper dress attire at all times.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for maintaining zoo grounds and keeping all zoo facilities clean and in safe condition on a daily operational basis
• Must assist with storm cleanup (i.e. snow removal, leaf removal, etc.)
• May be assigned other duties by directors (i.e. painting, scraping, small odds jobs such as light bulb changing)
• Assisting with pest control and removal 
• Assist in the preventive maintenance for equipment, and utilities of the Zoo and all the offices and service areas.
• Excellent maintenance, grounds and custodial practices in all areas of the Zoo including offices and service areas ensuring cleanliness, orderliness and functional condition of the building, grounds and all other facilities.
• Be aware of supplies, spare parts and other consumable items for the use of the department needs are to be reordered or reported to Facilities Director for reordering.
• Submits ideas to improve efficiency to achieve Departments goals and objectives.
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment.
• Comply with all safety and operational standards established by the Government and the AZA.
• Responsible for doing daily inspections of areas of responsibility and prioritizing the necessary custodial maintenance, taking into consideration that safety is first.
• Completes tasks requested in a timely and professional manner to ensure the best possible operation and appearance of the Zoo. 
• Performs other duties as may be assigned from time to time by Department Directors 
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules and maintenance manuals.
• To treat with confidentiality all information entrusted or known by you regarding guests, animals, business, employees, volunteers, incidents and any other sensitive information. 
• Communicate effectively with both adults and children in both group and individual settings. Greet guests and exercise professionalism at all times.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
Ability to assist with various facilities on various projects. Ability to foresee and apply safety precautions applicable to the work. Frequently lift and carry up to 100lbs. The willingness to accept weekend, some holiday, and occasional after-hour assignments including coverage for Wild Lights, evening rentals and other events as may be assigned. Ability to complete assigned routine work orders.  

Education: High school diploma/ equivalent is required 

Identification: Two forms of official valid identification are required. Ability to pass criminal background and child abuse clearance is required.

Work Experience: Custodial, grounds & maintenance 

This position will require occasional on-call for emergency clean-ups within the facility or for external emergency natural disasters that require the immediate attention.