Admissions Attendant

Woodland Park Zoo; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a vibrant team at a renowned zoo, where you'll be the welcoming face for over a million visitors each year. This seasonal, part-time role is perfect for someone with a passion for customer service and a love for wildlife. You'll engage with guests, handle admissions, and ensure a smooth entry experience, all while promoting the zoo's mission to inspire conservation. Flexibility is key as you adapt to the dynamic environment of the zoo, working alongside a dedicated team to create memorable experiences for all. If you're ready to make a difference and connect people with wildlife, this opportunity is calling you!

Benefits

Complimentary Zoo Tickets

Sick Leave Accrual

403(b) Retirement Plan

Free Staff Parking

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Qualifications

• 1+ year customer service experience or relevant education required.
• Ability to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Handle guest admissions, provide information, and assist with inquiries.
• Ensure a safe environment and maintain cleanliness in assigned workspaces.

Skills

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Cash Handling Skills

Organizational Skills

Customer Service

Adaptability

Education

One year certificate from an accredited college or technical school

Guest/Customer Service Experience

Job description

SALARY & FLSA: $21.00 - $22.95 per hour; FLSA non-exempt

$21.00 - $22.95 per hour is the pay range for this job classification. Every temporary employee under the Teamsters Admissions Wage Table is placed at the first step of the job classification's pay range, which is $21 per hour. Temporary staff are not eligible to earn more than the Step 1 payrate, which may be adjusted annually per the contract.

OPENING DATE: 04/22/2025

CLOSING DATE: This position will close once a sufficient number of applicants are received.

JOB TYPE: Seasonal, Part-time

UNION: Represented

OPENINGS: 15

LOCATION: Onsite

DEPARTMENT: Admissions & Guest Services

This position may work up to 40 hours per week, 5 days a week, and is anticipated to end September 30, 2025.

The anticipated shifts are 9 AM - 5:30 PM or 10 AM to 6:30 PM with the ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays depending on event or operational needs.

This position directly supports all things guest entry.

HOW DO YOU ZOO?

More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.” Apply today and show us how you zoo.

WHO YOU ARE

• You’re a positive and professional presence at the front gate: With strong communication and interpersonal skills, you create a welcoming experience for all guests while handling admissions smoothly and efficiently—even during busy or stressful moments.
• You’re organized, reliable, and detail-focused: You manage multiple tasks at once, demonstrate strong cash handling skills, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail while consistently showing up on time and ready to support the team.
• You’re adaptable and team-oriented: Whether you're working independently or alongside colleagues, you adjust quickly in a fast-changing environment and thrive during seasonal peaks, special events, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• You’re guest-focused and mission-driven: Your enthusiasm for the zoo and its diverse visitors shines through in your commitment to excellent service, inclusivity, and upholding the zoo’s mission and core values every day.

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform day-to-day operations such as selling general admission, greeting and directing visitors, operating cash registers or point of sale terminals, maintaining a cash drawer, completing daily paperwork, and assisting guests with questions and complaints.
• Provide information to the public in person and on the phone, including but not limited to zoo hours, prices/fees, regulations, programs, exhibits, special events, classes, directions, lost and found items, and the zoo animals.
• Rectify visitor disputes, complaints, and issues or escalate to a lead if appropriate.
• Promote and sell zoo products and experiences.
• Set-up, organize, and arrange any necessary equipment or program items.
• Interact with and assist visitors of all ages. Expedite visitor entry and egress, establish queuing lines, and help with crowd control in a customer-friendly manner.
• Function as a parking attendant as required during peak times.
• Support zoo policies in a professional manner.
• Ensure a safe environment for visitors, staff, and volunteers; monitor key areas and entrances and report safety concerns to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Communicate on-site issues and ideas for improvements regarding customer service, personnel, policy or other related areas. May be asked to participate in continuous improvement exercises for the unit.
• Maintain all assigned workspaces by keeping them clean and organized.
• Perform breaks and assist other Admissions units with related projects.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to speak a language in addition to English.

QUALIFICATIONS

• One year certificate from an accredited college or technical school; or one to two years of guest/customer service experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to work a seasonal, non‐standard/flexible schedule, which may include weekends, evenings, holidays, and during special events.
• Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

BENEFITS

The Woodland Park Zoo offers temporary staff the following benefits:

• 4 complimentary Zoo tickets per year plus other discounts and perks
• Accrue 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Free staff parking
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

SELECTION PROCESS

Application: Please include a resume with your application through our Zoo Careers site at zoo.org/jobs. Please be sure to list or upload copies of all relevant training and certifications on your application. The zoo may review existing application pools to fill this position or use this pool to fill future vacancies.

This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at [e-mail].

Screening: Final candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person interviews.

Offer: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.