Join Our Team

The Zoo in Forest Park, located in Springfield, Mass., is hiring part-time, seasonal customer service staff for the Ticket Booth and Gift Shop. The Zoo is open from the end of March through October. These positions would work scheduled days from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in our Ticket Booth, Gift Shop and other areas as assigned. Applicants must have weekend availability. Students and those seeking part-time summer employment are encouraged to apply.

Job Responsibilities/Requirements:

• Greet guests in a friendly and polite manner
• Learn about the animals within our facility and our general operation to
  answer common guest questions
• Manage the point-of-sale system in both the Ticket Booth and Gift Shop
• Handle money and process credit cards with accuracy and proper recordkeeping
• Act as Zoo liaison during animal encounters and other on-site events
• Basic inventory management
• Ensure guests are following all Zoo rules
• Problem-solving skills
• A high level of verbal communication skills
• Punctuality
• Availability: We are open 7 days a week in the summer months. Weekend availability is required
• Some prior customer service experience preferred but not required.

Job Types: Part-time, Seasonal

Pay: $15.00 per hour

Interested candidates should apply on Indeed. Inquiries submitted via phone or email will not be considered.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Oversee day-to-day Zoo Camp activities
• Serve as the manager-on-duty for Zoo Camp
• All incident reports and child safety concerns should be handled by the Zoo Camp Coordinator
• Oversee Zoo campers on animal enrichment
• Develop and coordinate activities with animal care and/or Director of Education
• Oversee Zoo Camp daily schedule and communicate effectively with parents
• Oversee drop off and pick-up
• Create weekly schedules for additional Zoo Camp staff to be approved by the Director of Education
• Other Zoo Camp related tasks as assigned by the Director of Education

Requirements:

• Must have at least one year of experience working with children ages 6-13
• Must have at least one year of hands-on animal handling/animal education experience
• Must be least 18 years of age
• Must be comfortable working in all weather conditions (rain, extreme heat, etc.)
• Must be able to successfully pass all background checks

Preferred:

• Current first aid, CPR, medication administration certification
• Day Camp Director Certification (American Camp Association or other equivalent governing body)
• Experience in a supervisory role with children/young adults

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $16.50 per hour

Interested candidates should apply on Indeed. Inquiries submitted via phone or email will not be considered.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Train and oversee KITs during maintenance of animal enclosures (cleaning, feeding, etc.)
• Train and oversee KITs on animal enrichment o o Develop and coordinate activities with Zoo Curator, animal care staff, and/or Zoo Education Director
• Assist education department with discovery programs, pond studies, and zoo camp o Animal talks o Demonstrations
• Create an agenda for each day (activities, programs, etc.) with approval from the Zoo
• Education Director
• Oversee KITs schedule and communicate effectively with parents
• Oversee drop off and pick up
• Create appropriate “work schedules” for KITs

Requirements:

• Must have at least one year of hands-on animal handling/animal education experience
• Must have at least one year of childcare/education experience
• Must be least 18 years of age
• Must be comfortable working in all weather conditions (rain, extreme heat, etc.)
• Must be able to successfully pass all background checks

Preferred:

• Current first aid and CPR certification
• Experience in a supervisory role with children/young adults

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $15.00 per hour

Duties and responsibilities:

• Assisting children in daily zoo/animal themed crafts, activities and games
• Assisting other staff with animal interactions
• Creating and following daily schedules
• Ensuring safety of campers and animals
• Interacting with parents on a daily basis
• Keeping track of camper paperwork as necessary
• Taking weekly field trips to local pond and conducting pond-themed animal exploration
• Maintenance of camp tents and sheds

Requirements:

• Must be 18 years of age
• Must be able to pass a CORI/SORI
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions

Preferred:

• Current first aid and CPR certification
• Experience in a supervisory role with children/young adults

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $15.00 per hour

Duties and responsibilities:

• Serve as an educator for programs both on and off-site, as needed, scheduled by the Director or Assistant Director of Education
• Assist in maintenance of all outreach animal travel carriers and other Education Department equipment
• Ensure all handling and transport of animals is conducted in a safe and comfortable manner
• Participate in special events for/at the Zoo
• Develop relationships with outreach animals
• Research habitat, history and other information related to outreach animals
• Help develop enrichment activities for outreach animals
• Staff booths, fairs and other community events to promote Education Department programs
• Assist in maintaining a safe, clean work environment
• Assist in drafting and reviewing of educational signage for Zoo exhibits
• Assist in providing photos/testimonials to be used for marketing purposes

Requirements:

• At least (1) year of previous zookeeping/animal care experience OR at least (1) year of working closely with children (in a zoological, school, or after-school setting, etc.)
• Must be 18 years of age
• Must be able to pass a CORI/SORI
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions
• Flexibility in scheduling

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, zoology, education, or a related field

Job Types: Per Diem

Pay: $15.00 per hour

Interested candidates should apply on Indeed. Inquiries submitted via phone or email will not be considered.