Guest Services Associate - Seasonal (April - August 2025)

South Carolina Aquarium; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

COME JOIN OUR TEAM

Located along the pristine harbor in the heart of historic Charleston, the South Carolina Aquarium has been inspiring visitors for over twenty years. From our over 5,000 animals to our award-winning education team, from the Sea Turtle Care Center to our conservation programs protecting local species, visitors are struck with awe and inspiration as they journey through all our exhibits, representing the mountains to the sea of South Carolina.

About the South Carolina Aquarium

We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums with a mission to inspire conservation of the natural world by exhibiting and caring for animals, by excelling in education and research and by providing an exceptional visitor experience. We invite you to join the #1 visitor attraction located in one of the Top Cities in the World (Conde Nast, 2023).

Accessibility and belonging are core values of our institution, and we are committed to fostering a workplace filled with active participation from diverse voices throughout all departments and leadership roles. We look forward to applications from all who qualify, and we encourage BIPOC individuals, LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans and those with disabilities to apply.

Job Summary:

Guest Services Associates work in a team-oriented environment to provide an exceptional visitor experience for all guests. Associates work in multiple stations at the Aquarium including ticket sales and scanning, information desk, operate the virtual reality experience, golf cart and other guest-serving experiences.

Seasonal positions will primarily work April - August 2025. Weekends may be required.

Essential Functions:

• Greet each guest with genuine hospitality and care.
• Support a variety of posts and positions, thoroughly answer guest inquiries and enthusiastically handle special requests and solve problems.
• Utilize the point-of-sale system to accurately collect payment for admission tickets and scan tickets.
• Provide information to guests about the Aquarium, our exhibits, animals and conservation practices.
• Greet buses and groups, provide orientation and escort group members through admissions process.
• Promote and sell memberships, add-on experiences and other Aquarium programs to guests.
• Graciously direct and facilitate guest traffic through the aquarium, efficiently handling crowds and the logistics associated with their control.
• Ensure all guest resource information, such as approved maps, brochures and tourist information, is neatly exhibited and available for distribution.
• Drive the golf cart for safe transportation of our guests in the designated perimeter. Current driver's license required.
• Operate the Aquarium's virtual reality experience.
• Maintain the safety, cleanliness and organization of all work and break areas, both in view of the guests and behind the scenes.
• Adhere to all procedures involving cash and credit card transactions and maintain security of cash handling processes.
• Adhere to the South Carolina Aquarium Policies & Procedures.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the mission by participating in Aquarium sponsored programs and events on a regular basis.
• Support the team structure of the organization by remaining responsive to the needs of leadership, filling in when and where needed as directed.
• Develop familiarity with all Aquarium exhibits, services and events, as well as those of other facilities in the community.
• Assist guests with all abilities in the event of an emergency.
• Maintain all safety and security procedures, ensuring a positive environment for all who enter the aquarium, staff, volunteer and guests alike.
• Required to move sales carts and crowd control barriers as necessary.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience in a hospitality or customer service environment, preferably in high-volume, face-to-face positions.
• Must enjoy working with people of all backgrounds.
• Positive communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must have basic computer skills.
• Experience in accurate and timely processing of sales transactions and cash handling.
• Ability to work all areas including ticket sales, indoor and outdoor stations, entrance and exit ramps, and inside the aquarium lobby and exhibit areas.
• Must be able to work outside in all weather conditions, both hot and cold, for the entire day.
• Willingness to learn about Aquarium animals and programs.
• Knowledge of the Charleston community.
• Enthusiasm and a pleasant demeanor.
• Strong sense of responsibility.
• Flexibility and adaptability; especially under pressure.
• A positive, team-oriented work ethic.
• Attention to detail.
• Public speaking ability (or willingness to be trained in public speaking) required.
• Days, nights, weekends and holidays must be available.
• Ability to lift boxes, weighing less than 25 lbs., which contain brochures, ticket stock, receipt paper and office supplies.

Education and Experience Required:

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of one-year in hospitality/tourist-based operation preferred.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Valid Driver's License

Supervision of others:

• N/A

Physical Requirements: Often requires walking, standing, bending, stooping, crouching, carrying up to 50 lb, sitting, pushing and pulling, computer and phone tasks.

Working Conditions: Often requires working outdoors, contact with public, rotating shifts, working weekends and required to carry a radio.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not construed to be an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel classified.

The Aquarium is an "at-will" employer, and as such, employment with the Aquarium is not for a fixed term, or definite period and may be terminated at the will of either party, with or without cause, and without prior notice.

The South Carolina Aquarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.