Lead Admissions Associate

SALARY: $25.41 - $27.76 per hour.

$25.41 - $27.76 per hour is the pay range for this job classification. The starting rate for this role is $25.41 per hour. Every employee under the Teamsters Admissions Wage Table, on first appointment, will receive the first step of the salary range for the position. Employees will advance to the second step at the start of the pay period after their one-year anniversary in the job classification and each milestone thereafter (2 years and 5 plus years of service) with Step 4 being the maximum pay rate.

OPENING DATE: 04/21/2025

CLOSING DATE: 05/12/2025 (This position may close sooner if a sufficient number of qualified applicants are received.)

JOB TYPE: Regular, Full-time, FLSA non-exempt

UNION: Represented

OPENINGS: 1

LOCATION: On grounds 5 days/week

DEPARTMENT: Admissions

This position supports the Admissions branch of the team regarding all things guest entry.

This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays.

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

As our new Lead Ticketing & Membership Associate, we know you will be successful in this role because you are:

• You’re a calm and confident customer service leader: Whether helping a guest navigate a tricky situation or training others on best practices, you maintain a positive, professional attitude and deliver excellent service with empathy and patience—even in high-pressure environments.
• You’re organized, focused, and detail-driven: You manage multiple responsibilities with ease, from accurate cash handling and calculating discounts to prioritizing tasks and meeting daily deadlines with efficiency and accuracy.
• You’re a clear communicator and inclusive team player: You express yourself with clarity, adapt your communication to different audiences, and thrive both independently and as part of a team that values respect, diversity, and collaboration.
• You bring passion and purpose to your work: Your enthusiasm for serving a diverse clientele and your commitment to the zoo’s mission and core values shine through in your reliability, adaptability, and drive to continuously improve.
  
  

Your Primary Responsibilities

• Perform day-to-day operations such as selling zoo membership and general admission, greeting and directing visitors, operating cash registers or point of sale terminals, maintaining a cash drawer, completing daily paperwork, assisting with lost persons, managing lost and found, screening and answering incoming phone calls from the public and zoo staff and found items and assisting guests with questions and complaints.
• Provide on grounds customer service presence and 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 in a professional manner.
• Monitor and use zoo-wide radio communications and public address system.
• Contact Emergency Response Agencies (SPD & SFD) as required under the directions of zoo EMT team.
• Assist in emergency drills, and real-time zoo emergencies under the guidance of the Emergency Services Team.
• Promote and sell zoo products and experiences.
• Set‐up, organize, and arrange any necessary equipment or program items.
• Expedite visitor entry, establish queuing lines, and help with crowd control in a customer friendly manner. Set‐up, organize, and arrange any necessary equipment or program items.
• Rent strollers, wagons, wheelchairs and umbrellas to zoo guests. Clean and maintain rental equipment after returned.
• Update and maintain informational resources for general public and zoo personnel including but not limited to brochures, form files, emergency procedures, zoo memos, media information, and wildlife rehabilitation resources.
• Operate cash registers or point of sales terminals for rental fees, including handling the exchange of payments, maintaining a cash drawer, and completing daily paperwork.
• Facilitate operations of on-grounds paid experiences such as carousel, public animal encounters, and travelling exhibits.
• Facilitate entry for large groups and field trips.
• 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.
• Complete lead functions such as giving breaks to staff, supplying change as necessary, resolving visitor issues, and arranging work areas.
• 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, and 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.
• Assist in training Associate, Attendant, and Lead duties and responsibilities.
• Perform breaks and assist other Admissions units with related projects.
• Participate in zoo meetings and continuous improvement exercises.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

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.
• Demonstrated good cash handling skills.
• 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.
• Ability to work a non-standard/flexible schedule, which may include weekends, evenings, holidays, and special events.
  
  

Benefits

The Woodland Park Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package for fulltime staff including:

• Medical, dental, and vision HMO and PPO plans for you and eligible dependents
• 11 paid holidays and 2 personal holidays 
• Accrue 12 vacation days and another 12 days of sick your first year
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Free zoo membership that includes zoo admission and discounts after 90 days 
• 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perks  
• Free staff parking 
• 403(b) Retirement Plan 
  
  

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 careers@zoo.org.

Screening: We will review applications and select some candidates for screening calls. 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.