Employment

Summary

Team Members in this seasonal position may work part time or full time hours in a variety of locations in the zoo including the entrance, attractions, and retail locations. The team members would provide our guests with excellent customer service and help ensure that all guests have a positive experience.

Duties

• Assist visitors with entry into the zoo
• Provide information about zoo rules and other information
• Handle transactions and operate the POS terminals
• Keep work area clean and organized
• Stock and display merchandise
• Answer visitor questions.

Requirements

• Must have strong customer service skills, and must be comfortable interacting with and conversing with all types of guests.
• Must be able to work as a team or independently.
• Must have strong communication skills.
• Must complete all training and attend all company mandatory meetings.
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions including rain, cold, and hot weather.
• This position requires regularly standing and walking. Applicants must be able to use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl occasionally, and be able to lift or move up to 20 pounds.

Summary 

This full-time or part time seasonal position feeds and cleans the Petting Zoo Area on a daily basis, as well as having daily interactions with customers while enforcing rules and educates and assists customers to maintain a safe environment, and reports animal care issues to the Department Supervisor or Department Manager. 

Duties 

• Daily feeding and cleaning of all animals in the Petting Zoo area. 
• Assist customers with making change if the change machine is out of order. 
• Educate and enforce rules for customers. 
• Keep petting area clean for guests to walk around in during opening time.
• Drive the gator to transport animals, dump manure, and stock up on hay, shavings, and vegetables.
• Assist in the Deer Forest and Pony Ride as an attendant as needed.
• Will be exposed to animal bites and fecal pathogens.

Requirements 

• Must be 18 years old or older.
• Must have a valid Driver’s license.
• Must have strong customer service skills.
• Must complete all training required by Southwick’s Zoo.
• Must be able to work in all-weather elements including rain, extreme heat, and extreme cold.
• Must be able to lift, move, pull, or push up to 50 pounds.
• Must attend manager/zoo wide meetings and complete all training required by Southwick’s Zoo
• Must be a team player.

Summary 

This full-time or part time seasonal position feeds and cleans the Pony Ride Attraction area on a daily basis, provides excellent customer service to patrons, and reports Animal Care issues to the Department Supervisor or Department Manager. 

Duties 

• Daily feeding and cleaning of all ponies and pony area. 
• Daily grooming of all ponies.
• Collect tickets/money from customers, count daily and record and bring tickets to front office at the end of week.
• Warming up the ponies/practicing commands every day.
• Lift children onto saddles and walk ponies around for a ride.
• Explain and enforce rules to customers. 
• Drive the Gator to transport animals, dump manure, and stock up on hay, shavings, and vegetables.
• Assist in the Deer Forest and Petting Zoo as an attendant as needed.
• Assist with veterinary care needed for ponies.
• Will be exposed to animal bites and fecal pathogens.

Requirements 

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must be able to be in close proximity to hay and shavings and other possible allergens, such as hay and alfalfa.
• Must have strong customer service skills.
• Must have a valid Driver’s license.
• Must complete all the training required by Southwick’s Zoo.
• Must be able to work in all-weather elements including rain, extreme heat, and extreme cold
• Must attend manager/zoo wide meetings and complete all training required by Southwick’s Zoo
• Must be able to lift, move, pull, or push up to 50 pounds.
• Must be a team player.

Summary

Parking attendants assist guests with parking their vehicles in a safe and organized manner. Job responsibilities include directing vehicles (including school buses) to park in the appropriate areas, directing traffic as guests cross the street, maintaining a safe environment for both drivers and pedestrians, keeping parking lots clean and free of litter, and assisting in other areas of the zoo as needed. Employees in this position may also assist with grounds keeping activities as needed.

Requirements

• Weekend availability is a priority.
• Must have a valid driver’s license in good standing.
• Must be safety conscious and have a strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Must have a positive and upbeat demeanor.
• Must have strong customer service and communication skills.
• This position would require regularly standing and walking. Applicants must be able to use both hands, reach with hands and arms, kneel, crouch, or crawl occasionally, and be able to lift or move up to 60 pounds.
• Must complete all training and attend all company mandatory meetings.
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions including rain, cold, and hot weather for extended periods of time.
• This is a high energy position and requires the ability to move quickly.

Overview

Ride Operators are responsible for operating the mechanical amusement rides within the zoo. They must ensure a safe environment for zoo visitors while providing excellent customer service. Operators board and secure guests, operate rides, enforce zoo safety rules and regulations, and perform additional tasks as required by management. May also assist with parking as needed.

Requirements

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Per MA law, must submit and pass a CORI check.
• Must be friendly and comfortable interacting with visitors, including answering questions.
• Must be safety conscious and have the ability to work quickly and safely with others in a supervisory capacity.
• Must complete yearly safety training.
• Must have excellent communication skills and ability to maintain effective communication.
• This position requires regularly standing and walking. Applicants must be able to use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl occasionally, and be able to lift or move up to 60 pounds.

Summary

Food & Beverage Team members work in various venues throughout the park. They are responsible for recording sales transactions on the cash register and providing general customer assistance.

Duties:
• Receives cash, charge and check transactions in accordance with restaurant procedures.
• Provides the customer with an appropriate receipt for each transaction.
• Provides and initiates assistance for customers as needed.
• Receives incoming telephone calls, takes accurate messages and directs telephone calls to the appropriate person.
• Maintains adequate stock of paper forms for cash register area, and notifies Supervisor when additional supplies are needed.
• Attends company meetings and training sessions as required.
• Balances cash drawer and totals currency sales each day.
• Places cash and transaction records into safe in accordance with compnay procedures on a daily basis.
• Reports any problems or discrepancies to Supervisor.
•  Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Follows allergen protocol.

Requirements

• Must have a friendly demeanor and strong customer service skills
• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced and demanding work environment
• Must have strong oral and written communication skills and be able to work in a team environment or independently
• Position would require regularly standing and walking. Applicants must be able to use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl occasionally, and be able to lift or move up to 60 pounds.
• Availability at night is required for certain special events.

Summary

Concessions Cooks work in Southwick’s Zoo’s food and beverage venues. They are responsible for completing food preparation and performing basic kitchen responsibilities to ensure the smooth operation of the restaurant by performing the following duties.:

Duties
• Reads and prepares menu items as ordered by customers according to portion control and quality standards of the menu.
• Follows specific recipes and instructions to prepare menu items using basic kitchen equipment and preparatory utensils.
•Prepares food items according to recipes, instructions and customer orders, and follows food handling and safety requirements.
• Retrieves ingredients from appropriate areas by lifting and carrying to food preparation area.
• Communicates shortage of menu items to Manager immediately.
• Unloads deliveries from truck and places in appropriate storage areas by lifting and carrying boxes.
• Stores incoming food shipments properly in storeroom, maintains storeroom in a neat, orderly manner and ensures all food items are stored at the appropriate temperature.
• Places dishes in dishwasher and cleans dishes in pot and pan sink as needed. Stocks dishes, glassware and silverware as needed.
• Maintains a neat and orderly work area, sweeps and mops the kitchen floor at the end of each day.
• Completes opening and closing duties in accordance with approved procedures.
•  Reports any health and/or safety concerns/violations immediately to management.
•  Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Follows allergen protocol.

Requirements

• Must have a friendly demeanor and strong customer service skills
• Must be organized
• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced and demanding work environment
• Must have strong oral and written communication skills and be able to work in a team environment or independently
• Position would require regularly standing and walking. Applicants must be able to use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl occasionally, and be able to lift or move up to 60 pounds.
• Availability at night is required for certain special events.

Summary

Parakeet Landing Attendants work in our walk-through aviary, Parakeet Landing. Attendants monitor and control the flow of visitors into the aviary and maintain a safe environment for both visitors and the birds. Other responsibilities include cleaning the aviary, power washing, diet prep, making and selling feed sticks, and general maintenance.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Prior experience with birds is preferred.
• Must be comfortable interacting with children and adults.
• Must be friendly and polite with strong customer service skills.
• Must have strong communication skills.
• Must have the ability to work independently and on a team.
• Position would require regularly standing and walking.
• Applicants must be able to use hands, reach with hands and arms, and be able to lift or move up to 50 pounds.