Visitor Service Specialist

SUMMARY Under the general direction of the Zoo Curator manages and develops admissions, concessions, education and visitor services including formal and informal programs, events, fund raising, and volunteer program.
Assists the Zoo Curator, Marketing Coordinator and Visitor Services Coordinator in marketing and public relations.
This position will be required to work shifts including evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime as necessary by the department, and during inclement weather.
This position is considered weather essential personnel.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Plans, schedules and conducts education programs.
Plans, develops and evaluates special events and public programs.
Remains aware of public and community opinions and conservation issues and actively solicits opinions through various forums.
Assists in creating and disseminating the message the Parks Department gives out through programs and media.
Oversees, develops and evaluates on and off-site formal educational programs.
Oversees the operation of the concessions and gift areas.
Supervises and tracks revenues and expenditures from admissions, concessions and gift areas, special events and public and school programs.
Assists in the development and management of the budget for the visitor services areas including school/educational services, volunteer program, concessions, special events and public programs; works closely with the Zoo Curator, Marketing Coordinator and Visitor Services Coordinator on setting budget goals and objectives.
Performs a wide array of marketing and public relations.
Prepares and implements a formal marketing plan and strategy as well as fundraising goals.
Supports fundraising activities including sponsorships, naming opportunities and grants.
Writes grants and oversees an assortment of federal, state and foundation/trust grants; monitors reporting guidelines and administers grants.
Assists with volunteer programs.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in education, marketing or a related field plus and a minimum of three years of experience working in a similar organization or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid Texas Driver’s License required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES General knowledge of effective marketing and fundraising strategies.
Grant writing and grants administration experience preferred.
Extensive knowledge and experience in the development and evaluation of special events and public programs.
Extensive knowledge and experience in the development and evaluation of formal and informal environmental education programs.
Ability to work on a team and with volunteers.
Must have excellent communication and customer service skills.
Ability to accurately communicate this information to a wide variety of audiences including the media.
Ability to operate a variety of equipment including a two-way radio, computer, telephone, and the like.
Skill in the use of a computer for data entry, word processing, social media, website updates, and catalog management.
Ability to drive gators, golf carts, pick-up trucks and vans.
Ability to read and write.
ADA PROFILE Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is required to exert 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Must be able to see, hear, speak, sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, bend, twist, climb, balance, lift, push, pull, carry, grasp and finger items, perform repetitive motions and otherwise move objects.
Must be able to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The employee’s work is conducted both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather conditions and in a dynamic environment that requires the employee to be sensitive to change and be responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.
Must be willing to work overtime, weekends, holidays and be available based on special needs/circumstances on a 24 hour basis.
The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.
The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294.
About Us Start your career with the City of Amarillo today! We are committed to providing the highest quality services to our community, and we believe that starts with our team.
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