Guest Experience Associate – Seasonal Part-Time
Mill Mountain Zoo
Roanoke, VA
$13.00 per hour | Part-time | Seasonal
Make a Difference at Mill Mountain Zoo
Do you enjoy working with people, spending time outdoors, and being part of a place where every day is a little different?
Mill Mountain Zoo is looking for enthusiastic, dependable Guest Experience Associates to join our team. This is a hands-on customer service position where you'll help create memorable visits for families, animal lovers, and guests of all ages.
Rather than being assigned to just one area, Guest Experience Associates are cross-trained throughout our guest operations. Depending on the needs of the day, you may work in admissions, the Gift Shop, Bali's Bistro, or on the Zoo Choo.
What You'll Do
As part of our Guest Experience team, you will:
- Welcome visitors and provide friendly, knowledgeable assistance throughout their Zoo experience.
- Sell admission tickets, memberships, animal feed, merchandise, and food and beverage items.
- Answer guest questions and assist visitors in finding information or reaching the appropriate department.
- Operate the Zoo Choo safely, including opening and closing the ride and reporting maintenance or operational concerns.
- Assist with goat and pig feeding experiences while monitoring guest interactions and sharing basic animal information.
- Process transactions accurately using the Zoo's point-of-sale and membership systems.
- Handle cash responsibly and follow established cash-handling procedures.
- Assist with special events, including guest check-in, membership sales, crowd flow, and other event needs.
- Help keep guest areas, including the Gift Shop, clean, organized, and welcoming.
- Listen to guest concerns and work with management to resolve problems appropriately.
- Follow all safety procedures and report hazards or other concerns to management.
- Work cooperatively with other employees, volunteers, and Zoo departments.
- Take on other duties as assigned by management.
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate is someone who is comfortable interacting with the public and can remain positive and professional in a busy environment.
You should have:
- Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
- Clear verbal and written communication abilities.
- Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
- The ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
- A friendly, confident, energetic, and dependable approach to work.
- Basic computer skills.
- The ability to work independently while also being an effective team member.
- A professional appearance and attitude.
- A high school diploma or equivalent.
- At least one year of customer service experience is preferred.
- Bilingual skills are a plus.
Schedule & Requirements
This is a seasonal, part-time, hourly (non-exempt) position averaging 16–24 hours per week.
Because the Zoo operates seven days a week and hosts special events throughout the year, candidates must be available to work:
- Weekends
- Holidays
- Occasional evening events
- Outdoor shifts in changing weather conditions
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Hold a valid Virginia driver's license.
- Be able to work outdoors in heat, rain, snow, ice, and cold temperatures.
- Be able to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Successfully complete a background check.
What We Offer
Working at Mill Mountain Zoo offers more than a typical customer service job. You'll gain experience working directly with the public in a unique wildlife setting while developing valuable skills in hospitality, retail, admissions, memberships, events, and team operations.
Employee benefits include:
- Free Zoo membership for the employee after 90 days
- Employee discounts in the Gift Shop and Bali's Bistro after 90 days
- Hands-on experience in a unique wildlife environment
- Valuable customer service and team-building experience
About Mill Mountain Zoo
Mill Mountain Zoo is a nonprofit zoological organization dedicated to connecting people with wildlife through conservation, education, and creating a destination where people can experience and appreciate animals.
Our Guest Experience team plays an important role in bringing that mission to life. Every interaction with a visitor is an opportunity to make someone's Zoo experience better.
If you're friendly, dependable, enjoy working with people, and want a job that's anything but ordinary, we'd love to hear from you.
At Blue Ridge Zoological Society of Virginia, Inc. d/b/a Mill Mountain Zoo, we believe that diversity fuels creativity and innovation. Mill Mountain Zoo is committed to equal employment opportunities and makes all employment decisions, including those related to recruitment, hiring, training and promotion without regard to race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Pay: $13.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
- (Answer REQUIRED) This position requires reliable attendance and working all scheduled shifts, including weekends, holidays, and occasional evening events. Can you consistently meet these attendance and scheduling requirements?
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- Customer service: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
