Position Title:
Associate, Gates

Department:
Guest Services

Reports to:
Supervisor, Gates

FLSA Status:
Non-exempt/Hourly

Pay Rate:
$9.75/hour

Posting:
Applications are now being accepted for Gates Associate in the Guest Services Department at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. There are up to 10 seasonal, part-time, non-benefited positions to be filled at this time.

Summary:
This position promotes and fulfills the Zoo’s mission by performing the daily functions of the zoo’s entry gates.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following:

• Performs day-to-day operations of the unit such as selling zoo membership and general admissions, handling the exchange of types of payments, operating the cash registers or point of sales terminals, maintaining a cash drawer, promoting and selling zoo products and experiences, completing daily paperwork, and maintaining an appropriate work area.
• Provides customer service information and assistance to the public and staff in person or on the phone including: general information, educational/interpretive programs, and special events.
• Communicates on-site issues or ideas for improvements regarding customer service, personnel, policy or other related areas.
• Interacts directly with and assists visitors of all ages. Expedites visitor entry, establishes queuing lines, and helps with crowd control in a positive, customer friendly manner.
• Attempts to rectify visitor disputes, complaints and issues or pass to lead if appropriate. Assists parents with locating lost children .
• Ensures a safe environment for visitors, staff, and volunteers; monitors key areas and entrances and reports safety concerns to a supervisor in a timely fashion.
• Set-up, organize and arrange any necessary equipment or program items.
• Supports zoo policies in a professional manner.
• Performs breaks if necessary.
• Assists other Guest Service units and with related special projects.
• May be asked to be involved in continuous improvement exercises for the unit.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Possess a professional and positive attitude in a stressful environment
• Ability to learn and adapt quickly in a constantly changing environment
• Ability to work with strong attention to detail
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently
• Enjoy working with and serving diverse populations
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills
• Be able to prioritize daily tasks and demonstrate time management skills
• Prepared to work varying hours and a flexible seasonal schedule (including weekends and possibly evenings)
• Have strong cash handling skills
• Reliable and punctual attendance habits
• Be interested in and enthusiastic about the zoo
• Commitment to the mission of the zoo and the institution’s Core Values

Education/Experience:
High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is occasionally required to set-up tables, chairs, boxes of supplies, and other necessary equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision and Ability to adjust focus. Close vision is required to check identifications, membership cards, coupon types, etc. and computer and register buttons and screens. Distance vision is necessary for adequate crowd control.

Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Employees may be asked to work in physically close quarters. The noise level in the work environment can be higher than moderate based on the number of visitors at the entry areas to the zoo.

How To Apply:

Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression.

<No Phone Calls Please>

Our Application for Employment is available below in two formats:

• Online
  Fill out the online application (which allows you to attach your cover letter and resume) and submit electronically.
  
• Portable Document Format
  Print and send the application along with a Cover Letter and Resume via U.S. mail or fax. If you experience difficulty downloading the PDF document you can obtain the necessary software (Adobe Acrobat Reader) here.

Attn: Gates Associate
Fax: 206-548-1538
Email: hr@zoo.org

US Mail:
Human Resources        
Woodland Park Zoo
601 North 59th Street
Seattle, WA 98103

Application Deadline: Ongoing interviews and hiring through May 21, 2008 - apply now