Behind-the-Scenes Tour Guide (Part Time)

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 18,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is seeking a part-time Behind-the-Scenes Experiences Tour Guide. This role supports the BTS program, leading tours and virtual encounters, with photography duties and participant communications.

We offer a 5-day flexible schedule, up to 1,500 hours per year, starting pay of $15.50 per hour, and collaboration with staff, volunteers, donors, and the public. Must be reliable and professional.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Biology, or Communication preferred.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and lead Behind-the-Scenes tours and virtual encounters.
• Take, edit, and email photos to tour participants.
• Screen BTS inquiries and respond professionally.
• Assist with zoo-wide data collection and analysis for tours.

Skills

Customer service

Oral communication

Written communication

Project management

Photography basics

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred (Education, Biology, or Communication)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Behind-the-Scenes Experiences Tour Guide (Part-time)

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is known for many things—our conservation efforts, green initiatives, and friendly staff. But did you know that we have a strong set of core values that make us the best team around and a Top Workplace in Cincinnati? By building collaborative relationships, displaying positivity and energy, having pride, passion, and a sense of ownership, supporting accountability, mutual trust and respect, and embracing progressive thinking, we have built a team of dedicated staff that focuses on our visitors, our community, and our future. This is what we believe and how we act. If this excites you, maybe you belong in our Zoo! The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is looking for a dynamic individual to join our team as a Behind-the-Scenes Experiences Tour Guide.

Position Summary:

This position promotes the mission of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden through the support of the Behind-the-Scenes program.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Scheduling and leading Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) tours and virtual animal encounters. This also includes taking, editing, and emailing photographs to tour participants.
• Screening BTS inquiries from tour participants and the general public, responding in a timely, professional, and friendly manner.
• Helping collaborate in zoo-wide data collection and analysis as it pertains to tour sales.
• Other related duties as assigned to ensure the overall well-being of the Behind-the-Scenes program and to advance the mission of the Zoo.

Qualifications & Desired Skills:

A positive attitude and proactive, collaborative approach are required to join our team! You should demonstrate an affinity with the overall mission of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and our core values and behaviors. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties of the job successfully will be considered. A bachelor’s degree in Education, Biology, Communication, or a related field is preferred. The applicant should have strong administrative skills, experience working with diverse groups, and the ability to communicate effectively with both internal and external partners. Exceptional customer service, strong organizational and project management skills to oversee multiple demanding projects simultaneously, and command of Microsoft-based software and applications are required. Comfort using a digital DSLR camera is preferred. Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication (both oral and written) skills are essential. Attention to detail, strong planning and creative problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage multiple complex responsibilities simultaneously are required. The applicant must present a professional appearance, be timely and reliable in attendance and performance, and be able to work well with staff, volunteers, Zoo donors and prospects, as well as the general public. We hold experiences every day of the week, so we ask that applicants have availability for a 5-day schedule spanning any days of the week.

Position Details:

This is a part-time year-round position. It offers 30 hours per week, with a maximum of 1,500 hours per year. Starting pay is $15.50 an hour.

Working Conditions/Other Requirements:

Employment is contingent upon passing a drug screen and satisfactory background investigation. While performing the duties of the job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand and walk for long periods while leading tours and must have the manual dexterity to use a computer mouse and keyboard. The incumbent will be exposed to outside weather conditions and must be able to lift, move, or carry up to 25 pounds without assistance. A valid driver’s license, insurability to drive a Zoo vehicle, and reliable transportation are required. The ability to work a schedule that may include evenings, weekends, and holidays is necessary.