Public Safety Attendant - Temporary - Potter Park Zoo

About the role

The position serves as the primary point of contact for all zoo staff in emergency and non-emergency situations during work shifts. It involves assisting in the training of temporary public safety attendants and ensuring monthly safety inspections are completed.

Responsibilities

• Respond to all emergency and non-emergency calls, including medical complaints and lost children, providing first-aid and/or CPR as needed and completing required documentation.
• Answer multiple phones and radios, directing calls to appropriate staff or departments, prioritizing them as needed.
• Maintain and monitor zoo security cameras, notifying staff or emergency personnel as necessary.
• Enter call data into a CAD program and other digital files, searching various programs for files, lost and found items, and other information, compiling and saving digital or scanned reports.
• Interact with zoo visitors in a positive manner, answering zoo-related questions, being available for assistance, accepting deliveries, and notifying appropriate staff.
• Assist in the training of temporary public safety attendants at both the reception desk and as a park ranger.
• Ensure a safe environment for all animals, guests, volunteers, and staff.
• Promote a positive visitor experience by maintaining general cleanliness in zoo visitor areas and escorting authorized vendors or visitors through non-public areas of the zoo as assigned by the Guest Experience Supervisor.
• Participate in the Zoo Emergency Response Team and stay current in knowledge of all zoo emergency procedures.
• Maintain a written and/or electronic record of all activity throughout the shift.
• Ensure monthly safety inspections are completed, including checking flashlights, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and pest control equipment as assigned by the Guest Experience Supervisor.
• Stay current in knowledge of areas pertaining to public safety to maintain best safety practices as required by AZA, through various learning methods.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent education.
• At least 1 year of experience in safety and/or risk management and customer service experience or related field.
• CPR and first aid certification preferred.

Qualifications

• Valid driver's license with an exceptional driving record.
• Completed CPR training and other Zoo offered trainings.
• Able to work days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Able to pass a medical physical and background check.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Other Functions

• Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to HIPAA and other privacy issues.
• May be required to perform duties similar to, but not limited to, those in the job description during a public health emergency.
• Adheres to work rules and behavioral expectations stated in the employee manual.

Working Conditions

• Works in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Exposure to lights, noises, odors, temperatures, and weather conditions cannot be controlled and may be extreme.
• Operates a variety of vehicles including cars, golf carts, bikes, etc.
• Contacts with domestic and wild animals with unpredictable temperaments.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, traverse, balance, twist, bend, stoop/crouch, squat, kneel, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, and type.
• Periodic stamina in twisting, bending, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
• Regular stamina in typing and reaching.
• Continuous stamina in standing, walking, traversing, balancing, and grasping.
• Requires the ability to exert 20 pounds or less of force in the physical requirements above.
• Primarily requires far visual acuity to perform tasks significantly beyond arm’s reach.
• Requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries both in person and over the phone.
• Requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer.
• Requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.