Employment

Thank you for your interest in becoming part of the Southwick’s Zoo team!

Questions about working at Southwick’s Zoo? Email HR@southwickszoo.com.

*If you are looking for information regarding Animal Care Internships or Education Internships with EARTH Limited and Southwick’s Zoo, click HERE.

*If you are looking for information about employment at Galliford’s Restaurant & Tavern (front of house, back of house, and event staff positions), click HERE.

Requirements For All Positions

Seasonal positions are part-time, and schedules will vary weekly for most positions.

Please review the position descriptions below before completing your application to determine which position you are best suited for.

Availability: Applicants must be available to work during our normal zoo season (April through October) including weekdays, weekends, holidays unless stated otherwise. Evening shifts may also be available to work during Winter Wonderland, open October – January.
All applicants under 18 years old are required to have work permits submitted before their start date.
All applicants must be comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions unless otherwise stated in the job position requirements.
All job positions can be assigned additional duties as required by management.

Returning Employees:

If you worked at Southwick’s Zoo during 2022 and wish to return for the 2023 season, please fill out and submit the Returning Employee Application.

If you wish to apply to work in a different position in a different department, please fill out the seasonal position application.

Seasonal Positions

Please review the positions below to determine which position you are best suited for. Please do not apply for positions unless you meet both age and job requirements. Sorry, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we will not be able to consider applications that do not meet all requirements, and not all applicants will be contacted.

Click position titles to expand for full descriptions. Click the button below to apply.

Apply to Work at Southwick's Zoo

Admissions/Retail/Attractions Team Member

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.

Parking Supervisor (Applicants must be 18+)

Summary

The parking supervisor will oversee parking lot attendants and all parking areas with an emphasis on safety, communication, and efficiency. This position is a seasonal position from April to October. The Parking Supervisor will also be required to take shifts as a parking attendant in a supervisory role. They will assist guests with parking their vehicles in a safe and organized manner. Job responsibilities include assisting with scheduling, schedule changes, shift coverage, staff management, time management, parking lot set-up, parking lot maintenance and supply management, 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.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age with a drivers license for at least 2 years.
Weekend availability is a priority.
Must be safety conscious.
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 heat, rain, and cold weather fore extended periods of time.
This is a high energy position and requires the ability to move quickly.

Parking Attendant

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.

Skyfari Ride Operator (Applicants must be 18+)

Summary

This position includes both operation and maintenance of our Skyfari ride. Skyfari Operators are required to follow proper safety and operational procedures which include loading and unloading riders, responsibly operating the ride, enforcing safety rules, and reporting concerns as they arise.

Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Per MA law, must submit and pass a CORI check.
Must have experience working with machinery and have mechanical knowledge.
Must be friendly and comfortable interacting with visitors, including answering questions.
Must be safety conscious and can work quickly and safely with others in a supervisory capacity.
Must have excellent communication skills and ability to maintain effective communication.
Must complete all yearly safety 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 60 pounds.

Zip Line Ride Operator (Applicants must be 18+)

Summary

Employees in this position operate our Soaring Eagle Zip Line ride. Zip Line operators are responsible for ensuring the safety of our visitors while providing a fun and exciting experience. Zip Line Operators handle ride payments, assist guests with boarding the ride, ensure that they are safely restrained, operate the ride, and explain and enforce all ride safety rules and regulations.

Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Per MA law, must submit and pass a CORI check.
Must be safety conscious and have strong attention to detail.
Must be friendly and comfortable interacting with zoo visitors of all ages.
Prior ride operation experience is preferred, but we are willing to train.
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 60 pounds.

Food & Beverage Cook

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.

Additional Positions

Seasonal Hoof Stock Zookeeper (Applicants must be 18+)

Summary

This full-time or part-time position performs basic animal husbandry for a wide variety of animals with a strong emphasis on cleaning animal exhibits. The position reports to the Lead Hoof Stock Zookeeper and President of the Zoo.

Duties

Cleaning and feeding of Hoof Stock animal collection/other husbandry tasks.
Maintenance/upkeep/construction/landscaping of animal exhibits
Basic animal training; shifting animals from one area to another.
Driving company vehicles such as trucks, tractors, and gators.
Operation of hand tools such as chainsaws, drills, and mowers
Communicate with Lead Hoof Stock Zookeeper and Zoo Vet regarding animal’s welfare and health observations, and assist with procedures as well as administer medicine as needed
Restocking supplies and inventory
Provide assistance with live animal interactions and showings (seasonal) and informally educate visitors between presentations as well as provide guidance for job shadowing
Providing Enrichment for animals, including but not limited to: cutting brows, adding scents in habitats, giving rawhide for carnivores
Provide Customer Service as needed; crowd control, first aid, search for missing children, giving directions, changing tires and jump-starting customer cars, unloading hay, grain, and shavings, animal capture and help other zoo departments.
Must attend manager/zoo wide meetings and complete all training required by Southwick’s Zoo

Requirements

Must be 18 years old or older.
Must have a High School/GED, preferred BS/BA Degree with 2-4 years of prior animal care experience, preferred to have 2 years of zookeeping
Must have intermediate language skills to be able to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedural manuals.
Must have basic math skills to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Must have intermediate reasoning abilities to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
Must be able to receive emails and research on the internet.
Must have valid driver’s license to drive company vehicles on the property.
Must be able to operate farm equipment and be able to use power tools
Must have basic knowledge of zoo animals life history and range.
Must be able to regularly stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk/hear and occasionally taste/smell.
Must be able to lift and/or move up to 100 pounds on a regular basis.
Must be able to work in outdoor weather conditions regularly, and occasionally work in wet or humid conditions, work near moving mechanical parts, work in high precarious places, work with fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme hot and cold non weather conditions, with occasional risk of electrical shock and vibration.
Will occasionally be exposed to animal bites, kicks, or charging and have to run or climb, and regularly have to lift heavy objects.
Must be a team player

Application Instructions

To apply for the position, please email your cover letter, resume, and professional references to hr@southwickszoo.com.

Jack O Lantern Festival Team Member

Summary:

Come join the Zoo Crew this fall on their next Wild Adventure as we get ready for The Great Jack O’ Lantern Journey! There are many opportunities to work during the festival, that include flexible hours for nights and weekends. The festival starts Thursday, September 28th, and is open in the evenings Thursday through Sunday every week until the end of October. Festival team members can help to carve and prep pumpkins on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school and into the early evenings. Festival team members can also work during the festival Thursday through Sunday as an Event Staff team member or working in one of our concession or retail stands. We provide on-the-job training for different positions, no experience required!

Duties:

Must be available at night and on weekends.
Must follow supervisors’ instructions and also work independently.
Must provide customer service and follow safety protocols during the festival

Requirements:

Must be of legal age to work. If an applicant is under 18, they must provide a work permit.
Must have reliable transportation to get to work.
Must be able to sit, stand, walk, and reach for long periods of time.
Must work outside in different weather conditions including heat, cold, and rain.
Must be a team member.