Position Title:
Cultural Interpreter, African Savanna

Department:
Education

Reports to:
Education Manager

FLSA Status:
Non-exempt/Hourly

Pay Rate:
$12.50/hour

Posting:
Applications are now being accepted for Cultural Interpreter, African Savanna in the Education Department at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. There is one, seasonal, full-time position to be filled at this time.

Summary:
This position is responsible for presenting programming in the African Savanna exhibit.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following:

• Provide regularly scheduled educational and cultural programs related to Africa such as: storytelling, animal presentations, and talks and tours of the African Savanna exhibit and African Village for audiences of children and adults.
• Provide formal and informal programming in designated locations of African Savanna exhibit.
• Ensure assigned activities scheduled at African Savanna exhibit take place on time and run smoothly.
• Collect African Savanna program attendance and savanna roving statistics.
• Provide daily maintenance check of African Savanna props, structures, etc.
• Perform other relevant 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.

• Good teaching/presentation/public speaking ability.
• Enjoy working with the public, serving a diverse population, and providing high quality customer service.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member, and independently with little supervision.
• Minimum of three years demonstrated experience working on the savanna in east Africa, with knowledge and understanding of east African culture, conservation, wildlife, art, history and music.
• Knowledge of Kiswahili, Maa, or other east African languages preferred.
• Experience handling mammals, reptiles and arthropods strongly preferred.
• Ability to work a non-standard/flexible schedule, which may include weekends, evenings and holidays.
• Willingness to become a certified animal handler required.
• Commitment to the mission of the zoo and the institution’s Core Values.

Education/Experience:
Knowledge of east African culture, conservation issues, wildlife, art, history and music gained through practical experience working in east Africa. Animal handling experience is preferred. Proficiency in an east African language.

Language Skills:
Good English language speaking and reading skills. Ability to write emails, reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, use hands to finger or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds when lifting objects biofacts and other programs props. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is usually exposed to outside weather conditions, while providing presentation to Zoo visitors. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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: Cultural Interpreter, African Savanna
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 - apply now!