Visitor Interpretation
Working in the Education Department, you will have the unique opportunity to have hands-on experience in several different visitor engagement areas.
Areas could include:
- Animal Encounters; bring animal ambassadors out and around the zoo grounds to meet general zoo visitor.
- Interpretive feeding stations; engage with guests and convey specific conservation messages and information about the animal as well as facilitate the feeding experience.
- Chats; Narrating keeper encounters and animal exhibits while on a microphone
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Conduct on-grounds exhibit interpretation.
- Complete animal handling training and present live animal demonstrations.
- Complete interpretive training aligned with the National Association of Interpretation guidelines.
Qualifications: Experience and/or strong interest in working with people, strong communication skills, willingness to learn to work with variety of animals, strong conservation values, successful completion of background check.
Past animal handling, and/or interpretation experience is a plus.
We have shifts available 7 days a week
Weekend availability is a must.
Temporary Gardener - Horticulture Department
The Horticulture Department is looking for a qualified individual to join our team as a Gardener. This is a full-time temporary position (40 hours/week without benefits), which will end no later than December 31, 2012. This position is subject to the deduction of Union dues.
Responsibilities: Include, but are not limited to: performs planting, pruning, weeding and plant removal, landscape maintenance, landscape installation, mulching, spraying, equipment operation, maintenance and repair, irrigation, snow and ice removal, and other grounds maintenance functions.
Qualifications: High School diploma or equivalent required. Two to three years experience in horticulture or related field; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
Must have experience and proficiency in the following: plant/botanical knowledge; landscape installation and maintenance; operation of commercial lawn mowers and landscape equipment; operation of a bobcat, commercial blowers, chainsaws; equipment maintenance and minor repair. Must be able to lift and move 50 pounds without mechanical assistance; and have a valid driver’s license and be insurable to drive a Zoo vehicle.
Working Conditions: While performing the duties of the job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, walk, climb and utilize manual dexterity to use various tools, machines and equipment. The incumbent is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and must be able to lift/move/carry up to 50 pounds without assistance.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with the intent of filling the position as soon as possible with the best candidate.
Horticulture Department Seasonal Positions
The Horticulture Department is looking for qualified individuals to join our team to assist with planting (tree & bulb), pruning, and weeding, preparation, installation and maintenance throughout the Zoo’s extensive gardens.
Position will run from March – November 2012
Pay Rate: $8.00 - $10.00/hour
Qualifications/Experience: Schooling and/or experience in horticulture or landscape maintenance; must be able to lift and move 50 pounds without mechanical assistance and have a valid driver’s license and be insurable to drive a Zoo vehicle.
Working Conditions: While performing the duties of the job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, walk, climb and utilize manual dexterity to use various tools, machines and equipment. The incumbent is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and must be able to lift/move/carry up to 50 pounds without assistance.
Summer Camp Instructors: Education
The educational vision of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is to provide quality experiences that foster a sense of wonder, share knowledge, and advocate active involvement with wildlife and wild places.
Job Description: The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Education Department is seeking creative, enthusiastic, hardworking individuals with a strong interest in environmental education and a proclivity for children. Instructors will take a leading role in environmental education for three to fourteen year olds in the Zoo’s summer camps and other educational programs.
Job Duties:
Summer camp instructors responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Successful completion of Animal Handling Training and Camp Training
- Available 8:15am-4:15pm, weekdays and/or weekends
- Conduct summer programs and youth programs for up to 12 children in the 3-14 year age range in accordance with the provided curriculum and training.
- Setting up and breaking down classroom before and after camp each day
- Making sure all necessary supplies and documentation are accounted for
- Utilize and supervise teenage volunteers assisting with summer programs
Qualifications: Successful candidates will have a completed college degree in environmental education or related field or prior completion of an internship teaching summer camp at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Experience and/or strong interest in working with children including preschoolers, strong communication skills are a must as is a willingness to learn to work with variety of animals and successful completion of a background check and drug screen. All applicants must be able to lift and carry 25lbs and lead hikes on varied terrain, in all weather conditions, for up to one hour.
Reports To: Education Program Coordinators
Duration: May 21 - August 17 (includes orientation and training) with potential for part-time extension until August 18
Applications Must Be Received By: Friday, March 2
Summer Camp Before and After Care Instructors: Education
The educational vision of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is to provide quality experiences that foster a sense of wonder, share knowledge, and advocate active involvement with wildlife and wild places.
Job Description:
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Education Department is seeking creative, enthusiastic, hardworking individuals with a strong interest in education and a proclivity for children.
Job Duties:
Before and After Care instructors responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Successful completion of training
- Before Care Instructor availability- 7:15am-9:15am, Monday- Friday
- After Care Instructor availability- 3:30pm-6:00pm, Monday-Friday
- Setting up and breaking down classroom
- Making sure all necessary supplies and documentation are accounted for
- Greet and check-out students as they arrive/depart to/from Before and/or After Care.
- Maintain a safe and clean environment for children attending after-care
- Supervise and lead activities for all children taking part in Before and After Care.
Qualifications:
Experience and/or strong interest in working with children including preschoolers, coursework in environmental education or related field, strong communication skills, successful completion of a background check, drug screen and tobacco screen. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age.
Reports To: Education Program Coordinators
Duration: June 4th – August 17th
Please include a cover letter, resume, and list of references in your online application.
Rides & Attractions Sales Associate/Operator
Be part of one of the most fun and exciting teams in the Zoo! Our Rides and Attractions staff is responsible for selling ride and theater packages to our guests while spreading holiday cheer. Staff members are also responsible for operating our train, carousel, and 4-D Special-FX Theater (featuring Happy Feet 4D and The Polar Express during Festival of Lights). Strong guest service and sales skills are preferred, but not required.
Evening and Weekend Availability Required. (Will work with most school schedules)
Must be a minimum of 18 years of age to apply.
Admissions Sales Associate
Help us spread holiday cheer as you welcome guests into the Zoo! Our Admissions Sales staff is instrumental in creating one-of-a-kind holiday memories through selling ticketing packages that send our guests on a holiday adventure and spreading cheer as they admit guests and members into the Zoo. Strong guest service and sales skills are preferred, but not required.
Please note: Employees are expected, at times, to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Evening and Weekend Availability Required. (Will work with most school schedules)
Must be a minimum of 18 years of age to apply.
Parking Attendant
Help keep Zoo traffic flowing smoothly! Our Parking crew is responsible for directing cars to open parking spots and coordinating with our Security team to help our guests enter the Zoo as quickly as possible. Strong guest service skills preferred, but not required.
Evening and Weekend Availability Required. (Will work with most school schedules)
Must be minimum 16 years of age.
Park Services/Housekeeping Associate
Under direction from the Area Lead, Senior Area Lead and Operations Manager, directs and performs duties in areas and facilities that require regular scheduled cleaning. Performs all janitorial and grounds keeping tasks including but not limited to: Building and restroom cleaning, emptying trash cans, picking and sweeping paths and parking lots. Using power equipment to clean floors, carpets and open areas. Reports equipment malfunctions, breakages and losses. Interacts with customers and presents excellent customer service skills. Ability to perform and supervise daily duties. Maintains zoo dress code standards.
Must be a minimum of 18 years of age to apply.
Morning and afternoon availability required.
Gift Shop Sales Associate
We are looking for fun, positive, outgoing team members for seasonal sales at the Cincinnati Zoo Gift Shops.
If you are looking for a great summer job this is the place!
If you can:
1. Bring a positive and fun energy to work daily.
2. SMILE and greet everyone you meet.
3. Meet someone new everyday
You have the basics to make a great team member.
What you will be expected to do:
1. Greet guests...have fun!
2. Add on items at the point of sale
3. Assist in stocking and keeping your store clean and ready for every guest
4. Call it out..make suggestion what working what's not...it's all about being a team!
What you need to apply:
1. Be able to work a flexible schedule of days, evenings and weekends. We hire for the needs of the business.
2. Be 17 years of age
3. Be able to stand, bend and lift 25 lbs.
If you think this describes you please send us your resume or contact information.
We will contact only those who we wish to move forward with in the hiring process.
*The Cincinnati Zoo Gift Shop is operated by Service Systems Associates and all hiring decisions will be made as such.
Please forward resumes/cover letters to the following email address: cnzhr@kmssa.com
Catering Servers and Bartenders
Qualified individuals should send resume and contact information to the following email address: spencergaron@kmssa.com
We will contact only those who we wish to move forward with in the hiring process.
*Catering within the Cincinnati Zoo is operated by Service Systems Associates and all hiring decisions will be made as such.
Catering Captains
- A broad food and beverage background and specific catering experience (preferably with off-premise catering).
- The ability to maintain professional composure and a positive attitude while managing multiple priorities in a challenging, fast-paced, and physically demanding environment.
- Willingness to work at a variety of job tasks and to cross-train into various areas of the operation as needed.
- Team orientation and the ability to motivate others to perform at their best.
- Strong organization and communication skills.
- A desire to “raise the bar” for themselves, our operation, our customers, and our client.
Qualified individuals should send resume and contact information to the following email address: spencergaron@kmssa.com
We will contact only those who we wish to move forward with in the hiring process.
*Catering within the Cincinnati Zoo is operated by Service Systems Associates and all hiring decisions will be made as such.
90-Second Naturalist 
