Zoo Crew / Guest Services

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The Metro Richmond Zoo's mission is to promote animal conservation and inspire guests by providing up-close, educational encounters with the wild. The zoo is situated on 150 acres of land and is home to over 2,000 animals representing 190 species from around the world. The zoo is accredited by the Zoological Association of America and is well-known for its conservation programs for cheetahs, African penguins, and Diana monkeys

POSITION SUMMARY

Zoo crew team members provide the front-line service of the park. Team members are responsible for creating memorable experiences for our guests by providing exceptional service. Opportunities to learn and provide leadership and training to fellow team members can be achieved. This is a guest services position and not an animal care position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

90% of time:

The majority of time will be spent focusing on providing and enhancing the guest experience by opening, operating, and closing the public facilities of the park. Cleaning restrooms and picking up trash are important tasks to keep our facilities presentable and ready for guests.

The areas team members work in are organized into 6 divisions:

1. Guest Services

• Operate a register and sell daily tickets to guests
• Sell ride tickets and animal food
• Communicate zoo information to guests entering the park
• Help guests purchase zoo memberships
• Monitor the budgie bird exhibit, giraffe feeding area, and children's petting area to ensure guests are respectful of animals

2. Gift Shop

• Organize and restock merchandise
• Help guests purchase souvenirs
• Operate carousel ride

3. Food Services

• Take food orders
• Prepare cold and hot foods: ice cream, shaved ice, hot dogs, fries, chicken nuggets, etc.
• Maintain cleanliness of food equipment

4. Treetop Zoofari

• Monitor guests on zipline course
• Inspect the course
• Train guests how to safely navigate the adventure park
• Clean up after farm animals in zipline area
• Secure harnesses on guests safely

5. Ride Operation

• Operate the sky lift
• Drive the train and provide an educational, narrated tour
• Clean up after animals in the children's petting area

6. Projects/Maintenance

• Provide assistance to grounds keeping
• Provide assistance to exhibit renovations
• Provide assistance to new exhibit construction

10% of time:

Some time will be spent helping the zoo with other needs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Zoo crew team members must have the ability to:

• Lift 40lbs
• Walk and stand and bend over for long periods of time
• Perform duties for 8 hours a day
• Have a full range of motion in the back and all extremities

QUALIFICATIONS

Zoo crew team members must:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Be at least 18 years old for ride operation and some Treetop Zoofari responsibilities
• Be self-motivated in work ethic
• Be able to work outdoors in all weather from 0°F to over 100°F
• Be able to communicate clearly in written and verbal forms
• Be able to handle stressful situations calmly and effectively
• Be able to handle multiple tasks
• Be able to work independently and as part of a team
• Have great attention to detail

HOURS

• Variable hour employment
• Up to 40 hours a week (Zoo does not offer overtime hours)
• Monday- Saturday work week
• Up to 5 days a week
• Holiday availability required

PERKS AND BENEFITS

• Free zoo and zipline tickets
• Food and merchandise discounts
• Work near animals
• Day-time hours (no nights)
• No Sundays required
• Flexible schedule
• Variable work tasks
• Fast-paced: no dull moments
• Work outdoors and indoors
• Career advancement opportunities

ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING

Team members may not arrive on duty under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Since this position is a safety-sensitive position, team members may be subject to random alcohol and drug testing.

DISCLAIMER

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by the team member. All team members are required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by their supervisors.