NYA Visitor Engagement Associate

Job Description

Job Title: NYA Visitor Engagement Associate

Location: New York Aquarium

Department: Education

Reports to: Manager of Live Interpretation

Type: Temporary/Seasonal

Rate: $20.00/hour

Schedule: April through December; Fluctuates by season; applicants must be able to commit to a schedule that includes both weekday and weekend shifts, with a minimum of 3-4 days a week in the summer; holiday availability is required. All staff must have availability on the following dates: June 8, June 14-15, June 21, July 4, July 11-14, September 1, October 18-19, 25-26, Nov 1, 2

Position Summary

You will work part-time for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) as a valued team member of the Education Department at the New York Aquarium and report to the Manager of Live Interpretation. You will reach thousands of visitors by leading experiences and talks in some of our indoor and outdoor exhibits, which include Ocean Wonders: Sharks (OWS), Sea Cliffs/Sea Change, and PlayQuarium at the New York Aquarium. You will also assist with messaging around special events and programs onsite.

Within these exhibits, Visitor Engagement Associates will have the exciting opportunity to speak with guests (both in small and large groups) about science concepts, our animals, and WCS conservation programs. This role facilitates our indoor touch pool within the PlayQuarium exhibit. Your primary role will include the handling of marine invertebrates, helping our guests engage with living marine invertebrates, and sharing information about these animals with our guests. This role allows for some hands-on animal experience, and interaction with our Animal and Education Departments. This is a great opportunity for those interested in exciting the public about science and conservation, as well as those seeking hands-on experience in informal environmental education, live interpretation, public speaking and museum studies.

Who We Are

WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve this, we harness the power of our Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations, in all the world’s oceans, and our five wildlife parks in New York City - Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium - visited by 4 million people annually. We combine our expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve our conservation mission.

The WCS Education Department works across our Zoos & Aquarium. We inspire a diverse and inclusive movement of conservation advocates by sparking connections with animals and nature, improving scientific literacy through hands-on investigation, and engaging constituents in stewardship and action to conserve wildlife and wild places.

Primary Responsibilities

• Staff and manage guest experience, and facilitate safe animal encounters at the touch pool inside the PlayQuarium exhibit.
• Monitor and handle marine invertebrates from the touch pool and work with the animal keepers to ensure their care and safety.
• Provide visitors with a memorable, positive, safe experience at the aquarium through a consistently high level of engagement, and teach visitors to make connections between aquarium exhibits, wildlife conservation, & their daily lives.
• Track visitor interaction numbers and assist with maintaining accurate records.
• Use a microphone to energetically present public chats, narrations, and informal engagement with large crowds at a variety of aquarium exhibits.
• Assist with line management and crowd control in indoor and outdoor exhibit and attraction environments, as needed.
• Work alongside fellow Visitor Engagement Associates, as well as other Education staff and volunteers, to develop a respectful and welcoming work culture.
• Work closely with members of the New York Aquarium’s Animal and Education teams to ensure that interpretive stations and locations are well stocked and maintained to create a safe environment for staff, visitors and animals.
• Implement best practices for mentoring, supporting and maintaining positive, cooperative, and effective working relations with other Education Department staff and volunteers.
• Support Admissions and Visitors Services teams to provide a high level of customer service in the park on any given day.
• Assist with data collection (e.g. conducting surveys and interviews) and data entry for visitor research and evaluation projects.
• Participate in the upkeep of a safe, fun, and lively learning environment for all visitors and staff by providing and accepting feedback.
• Support station-based interpretive activities and other interpretive experiences provided onsite, as needed.
• Assist with special early morning and evening events, and other Education department programming as needed (this may include members events, classes, birthday parties, special programs, overnights, and summer camp).
  
  

Qualification Requirements

EDUCATION

Minimum

• You are a high school graduate who has a strong interest and/or background in education, communication, public speaking and/or environmental science.
  
  

Preferred

• You are in pursuit of or have recently completed a college degree at the undergraduate level. Those with a background in education, communications, public speaking, and/or environmental science are encouraged to apply.
  
  

Other Skills And Requirements

• Applicants must be 18 years of age at the time the application is submitted.
• You have worked with young children or groups in formal or informal learning environments.
• You have a comfort level interacting with and presenting to groups both small and large.
• You have experience with/interest in working at a touch pool, petting zoo, or handling small animals.
• You have strong public speaking skills and are comfortable using a microphone.
• You have an interest in learning about animals and conservation, and sharing information with the public.
• You have the ability to remain patient, even in a busy, high-energy environment.
• You have a high level of self-motivation; you are reliable, flexible, adaptable and accountable.
• You have excellent customer service skills and are friendly and outgoing.
• You have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Bilingual (in any language) a plus- but especially Spanish.
  
  

WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT

• We work in a fun environment, in a natural, park-like setting, surrounded by amazing wildlife.
• We value team members and community partners from all backgrounds and cultures with different skills, abilities, and perspectives.
• We ensure that everyone has an opportunity to fully contribute to our mission.
  
  

PERKS

• Parking at the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium with a staff permit
• Access for employees to visit WCS Zoos & Aquarium on days off with their staff ID
• Courtesy guest tickets after 45 days of employment in good standing to visit WCS Zoos & Aquarium
• Employee discounts on food, merchandise, and programs
• And more!
  
  

Salary Range

$20/hour