Guest Relations Ambassadors are instrumental in facilitating a seamless and joyful visit for all Shedd guests.  Ambassadors are posted throughout the operation with the goal of removing barriers to guests looking nature in the eye.  Examples include: selling tickets, greeting guests, scanning tickets, sharing animal facts, and wayfinding.  Depending on need, some posts are located outside of the building.  All team members act as role models for outstanding customer-service standards within the department and the aquarium.

This is a Part Time, Seasonal non-exempt level position. The summer season is from Monday, August 2nd, 2021 through Saturday, September 18, 2021 (pending performance and operations). Interest in regular part-time employment after summer is preferred.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission and values.  
• Guest Relations Ambassadors provide guest-first service while performing the following duties:
  • Use Tessitura to facilitate ticket sales, comeback CSI’s and occasional refunds.
  • Greet each guest to the aquarium.
  • Safeguard animals by all open water habitats.
  • Facilitate safe, fun and inclusive experiences at all Touch Pools.
  • Proactive service posts such as “Ask Me”. Trusted to not have one set post but move throughout the building helping guests and the operation.
  • 4-D Theater operations including: adding 4DE’s through Tessitura, seating guests and cleaning the theatre between shows, washing glasses, running the shows, turning the equipment on/off.
  • Demonstrate results-oriented approach to all of Shedd’s available upgrades (Membership, CityPASS, 4-D, Virtual Extraordinary Experiences, learning programs)
  • Expertly attend the Information Desk and the wide variety of guest needs.
  • Other posts as assigned as business needs arises.
• Shedd Customer Service Expectations:
  • Embrace and actively practice the Shedd WAY on a daily basis
  • Model proactive service and Guest Relations mission, vision, and values.
  • “Own the room”: proactively and confidently communicate with guests regarding wayfinding, mask safety, and social distancing at all posts
• “The Shedd Way” Guest Charter:
  • The WAY to look: positive impressions, smile, uniform in order, etc. 
  • Go out of your WAY: Greet all guests proactively. "Hello!", "How can I help you?" Show, don’t tell. 
  • The WAY we care: Share Shedd stories with guests, find your passion, see something, say something.
• Attend and actively participate in daily shift meetings. 
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
Education:

• High School diploma or equivalent (preferred)

Experience/Requirements:

• Retail, attraction, or customer-service experience in a high-volume environment.
• Cash handling and POS experience preferred.
• Tessitura experience is a plus; willingness and enthusiasm to sales train as needed is a must.
• Performance or theatrical background a plus.
• Fluency in multiple languages is also desirable.
• Ambassadors must be outgoing, dynamic and enthusiastic.
• Experience and success in multi-tasking.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Friendly and personable demeanor towards all; embracing the multicultural differences of our staff and guests is a must.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays (varied hours).
• May be required to stand for long hours.
• May be required to work outdoors.

Schedule & Mandatory Dates:

• This position requires a minimum of two consistent weekdays and one weekend day of open availability.  Shifts can start as early as 7:30 am or end as late as midnight. 
• Mandatory training date regardless of availability: 
  • Orientation: Monday, August 2; Two days of mandatory post training between Tuesday, August 3 and Friday, August 6th
• Additional training/shadowing dates will be scheduled according to your provided availability immediately following the start date.

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.

If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).