Guest Services Worker

Position Summary

This position is variable hour. Variable hour employees may not work more than 1040 hours in a calendar year.

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Are you someone with a positive attitude who enjoys providing outstanding customer service to guests from around the globe? Do you thrive in diverse environments, enjoy engaging with people, and take on a variety of responsibilities with enthusiasm? If so, the Oregon Zoo may be a perfect workplace for you. “Come be a part of our team!”

The Oregon Zoo is seeking enthusiastic individuals to join the Guest Services team in a flexible, variable hour capacity. As a Guest Service Worker, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in a variety of responsibilities that may include welcoming guests, selling and scanning tickets, operating the zoo carousel, managing event and field trip entry, supporting special events and more.

As a key member of our Guest Services team, you’ll need to be adaptable and willing to take on different roles depending on zoo’s needs. This position requires availability for a variety of shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays. Schedules varied and can change based on weather and events at the zoo, with increased hours during school breaks, holidays, summer, and ZooLights season. We are currently looking for applicants who can commit to working at least three days per week, including evening availability and one weekend day.

As a Guest Services Worker you will:

• Provide excellent customer service and interact with guests and staff in a welcoming and positive manner. May be assigned to various locations, such as admissions, private and public events, special exhibits and zoo attractions such as the carousel and train.
• Be a confident and engaging communicator with the ability to project your voice clearly when addressing guests, making announcements, or providing instructions to groups. Be able to maintain enthusiasm and consistent guest engagement, ensuring all visitors are acknowledged and offered the opportunity for assistance.
• Operate scanning equipment, POS cash registers, credit card terminals and other related equipment. Handle cash and all other forms of payment responsibly, count money and deposits. Follow all cash recycling procedures and policies.
• Sell and scan zoo tickets and services.
• Greet and orient school groups and other groups about visit expectations and logistics; ensure groups have checked in and are paid in full.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with the public by answering questions about zoo ticketing, exhibits, facilities, upcoming zoo events, and zoo regulations and rules.
• Assist in closing of locations by turning off and cleaning equipment, preparing work areas for next day and informing lead or manager of needs for following day.

Attributes for success:

• Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to anticipate guest needs and maintain a positive and professional demeanor.
• Ability to learn Guest Services operating procedures.
• Ability to have regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Demonstrated ability to perform cashiering duties; ability to operate a "point-of-sale" cash register system; and demonstrated accuracy with cash handling including perform routine math calculations with accuracy.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships and contribute to a positive team atmosphere; engage others in ways that foster respect and trust.
• Ability to encourage and appreciate diversity in people and ideas – seek to understand the perspectives of others.
• Work in a safe manner and follow safety policies, practices and procedures.
• Ability to be flexible, adjust quickly to varying work environments, and exercise good judgment in working independently if necessary.

Approximate Recruitment Timeline

• Interview week of March 24, 2025
• Interview week of April 7, 2025
• Reference checks will be completed after interviews
• Candidate start date either April 16th or April 30th

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma, GED or sufficient education to demonstrate the ability to read instructions and to perform routine math calculations with accuracy; and
• One year of experience providing customer service in a public setting; and
• One year of paid experience with service-level cashiering; or
• We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Shift and schedule: As a member of the Guest Services staff, you'll need to be flexible with your availability, as shifts may include nights, weekends, and holidays. Your schedule will vary based on operational needs, weather conditions, and special events at the zoo, including school breaks, holidays, summer, and the ZooLights season.

These positions are considered variable hour with no fixed schedule, and we anticipate employment from April 1st through Labor Day, with the possibility of extension based on zoo event needs.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:

If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Preference will be given to applicants with the greatest availability and customer service experience.
• Applicants who have evening and weekend availability.

• Proficiency in an additional language.

The Application Packet: The application packet consists of the following documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A complete online application
• Complete answers to the supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)

REPRESENTATION

This variable hour position is eligible for overtime and represented and by the union LiUNA Local 483. It is classified as Guest Services Worker.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific responsibilities of the positions. These positions are classified as variable hour. Variable hour employees cannot work more than 1,040 hours per year.

Questions?

Email:megan.warneke@oregonmetro.gov

Additional Information

As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.

This is a variable hour position with no guarantee of hours. The position is eligible for these benefits:

• Paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement if eligible and qualified.
• No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
• Employee Assistance Program

Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights!), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling.

Learn more about employee benefits.

Some variable hour positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits.
View union contracts here.