Santa Barbara Zoo is hiring: Retail Ambassador - Part Time in Santa Barbara

We are fully staffed for weekends and are currently only looking for weekday staff.

Does providing excellent customer service energize you? Do you have some successful experience performing daily retail operations? Does this kind of environment excite you and are you a natural in engaging staff and guests alike? If yes, we'd like to speak with you!

This is a great opportunity for first time job seekers-and anyone energized by providing excellent customer service!

Note: Applicants must be minimum 14 years of age. Work permits are required for 17 and under, unless graduated from high school.
Position Status: Part-Time, Regular, Hourly, Non-Exempt
Schedule: Up to of 25 hours per work week, includes weekends, holidays and school breaks
Compensation: $16.00 per hour


Open Positions:

• Monday - Friday, shifts between 8:30am - 6pm*

NOTE: We are fully staffed for weekends and are currently only looking for weekday staff.
We will only be contacting applicants who have availability during weekdays. If you are a minor and/or can only work weekends we might have more openings closer to Winter 2024. We will contact you then if we have openings.


*You must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position*


SUMMARY:
Under direct supervision of Director of Retail Operations (DRO), and Retail Shift Lead (RSL), the Retail Ambassador (RA) assists in executing the daily retail operations throughout the Zoo. This includes, and is not limited to, providing exemplary guest service in the retail shops, remote retail locations, and retail driven attractions. The RA exemplifies the highest standards to ensure the quality of the guest experience and the continued development of the institutions Retail Operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Guest Experience and Sales

• Greets every guest within 10 feet with a warm smile, and every guest within 5 feet with a friendly hello
• Engages with guests to share information, identify their needs, and make their experience a more personal one, providing a high level of customer service and satisfaction
• Recommend, select and help locate merchandise based on guest needs
• Responds to all guest inquiries, comments and criticisms in a timely manner
• Describes merchandise and explains use, operation, and care of merchandise to guests
• Rings up sales using POS/Registers, Maintains records related to sales
• Cleans work areas, shelves and counters. Straightens items, restocks. Prepares merchandise for purchase or rental
• Arranges and displays merchandise to promote sales
• Rents of strollers, wagons and wheelchairs, ensuring cleanliness and maintenance
• Answers phone calls promptly and professionally

Operational Duties

• Performs opening and closing procedures including signing out/dropping off banks, signing out radios, and reporting any major problems or violations to supervisor immediately
• Opens and/or closes retail stores, when scheduled to do so by supervisor
• Ensures the Zoos presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance are met, not only in retail stores, but Zoo-wide by picking up trash while out in the Zoo and while walking in from the parking lot

POSITION CRITERIA:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and environmental characteristics described below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and working and physical elements required of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education, Experience, Skills and Knowledge:

• Applicants must be minimum 14 years of age (Work permit required for 17 and under, unless graduated from high school)
• No minimum education required
• Customer service and cash handling experience preferred
• Outgoing and friendly personality a must
• Self-motivated and able to work without constant supervision

Physical Requirements:
This position requires the handling of merchandise, supplies and materials. It will be physically demanding.
Your physical functions will include:

• Ability to physically access all areas of the Zoo
• Ability to stand for at least two (2) continuous hours at a time
• Ability to lift/carry 30 lbs. or push/pull 70 lbs., climb stairs or ladders, and manipulate basic tools of the job. Ability to move large quantities of merchandise with carts, dollies, hand trucks, and other moving equipment
• Ability to bend, twist, reach, push, pull and perform repetitive motions

BENEFITS & PERKS:

• Great team, beautiful grounds, amazing animal collection, sunshine & ocean view almost year-round!
• Free parking M-F, free guest passes, unlimited free tea/coffee every morning, 20% discounts on food services and retail purchases
• Access to the San Diego Zoo Global Academy platform, professional development events, and lunch & learn opportunities

*You must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position*



Please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see an email response from the Zoo.

---

This job description is representative of the expectations of the position described. Additional duties, reporting relationships, and/or position criteria may be assigned as deemed necessary by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative. No changes to this job description shall be made without written permission by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative.

The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description does not constitute a contract for employment, and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time. The job description does not in any way alter the at-will employment relationship.

At this time, the Zoo does not sponsor employment or internship visas.