SUMMARY: 

The Public Engagement Team is responsible for developing and delivering participatory, audience-driven experiences to guests to achieve Shedd’s mission of sparking compassion, curiosity, and conservation for the aquatic animal world. The team is also responsible for developing and facilitating, in collaboration with partner departments and vendors, engagement training that builds the skillsets of their staff members and volunteers, so we can create a seamless, joyful, and engaging Shedd experience no matter the staff member guests encounter. This training is part of a workforce development strategy to help develop team members across Shedd to advance into engagement or learning-centered roles.  

The Public Engagement Coordinator works closely with department leaders and the overall team to coordinate resources necessary for programs and staff (such as: program attendance, purchasing, staff PTO, program scheduling & spaces, special requests, and staff on-boarding) and actively seeks out tools and resources to achieve maximum efficiency. 

Time Commitment: 

• Approximately 40 hours per week; Monday-Friday with potential schedule shifts as needed.  

• This position may require work on evenings, weekends, overnight hours, and holidays. 

• This position must be able to work at Shedd Aquarium and in offsite locations. 

Position Salary: 

• Starting salary at $47,000 annually 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   

The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  

• Program resource coordination 
• Coordinates the inventory, purchasing, and use of Public Engagement’s resources (including but not limited to technology, supplies, etc.). 
• Works across Public Engagement teams to streamline inventory needs and access to resources. 
• Special request support 
• Coordinates and supports special program requests from other departments outside of regular daytime offerings. 
• Coordinates with Public Engagement leaders on request details and staff scheduling. 
• Staff scheduling and onboarding 
• Coordinates and maintains staff schedules, program calendars, and program assignments. 
• Supports staff paid time off (PTO) requests and coordinates shifted schedules as needed.  
• Facilitates new-staff department onboarding procedures.  
• Information management 
• Ensures that department-specific program data (i.e., program attendance numbers) is submitted and appropriately tracked.   
• Coordinates/ensures ongoing departmental compliance with information tracking (e.g. recording special requests, etc.) 
• Other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Minimum of one year of administrative experience. 
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is a plus.
• Interest in and enthusiasm for lifelong learning, especially as it relates to conservation, animals, and aquatic science preferred. 
• Attention to detail, organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills. 

TEAM MEMBER ATTRIBUTES: 

As a member of the Public Engagement team, each individual should possess the following qualities which will enable the team to achieve Shedd’s mission to spark compassion, curiosity, and conservation for the aquatic animal world. 

• Positive attitude 
• Inclusive and supportive of other team members 
• Proactive in bringing forward solutions to challenges 
• Maintain positive working relationships 
• Guest focus on all activities, passion for people 
• Ability to proactively engage guests 
• Valuing diverse perspectives 
• Creativity 

SHEDD WAY CHARTER 

As One Shedd, the Public Engagement team is expected to deliver an exceptional experience for other team members, staff, volunteers and internal and external guests. Each team member should demonstrate the Shedd Way charter qualities including but not limited to: 

• Professional appearance 
• Positive body language 
• Seeking out guest contact 
• Listening and responding to others' needs 
• Taking pride in Shedd 
• Delight in the animals in our care 
• Learning about and respecting those you work with 

LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION SKILLS: 

• Ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English fluently. 
• Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions given from written and oral sources.   
• Ability to effectively present information to and collaborate with colleagues. 
• Strong interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills  

COMPUTER SKILLS 

• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, especially Outlook, Excel, and Word. 
• Ability to use multiple software applications for accounting and interdepartmental business operations. 
• Ability to learn new technology and computer applications. 

PHYSICAL SKILLS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Lift up to 30 pounds  
• Sit 
• Stand 
• Stoop 
• Walk 
• Climb stairs 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

This person may be exposed to: 

• Water 
• Heat 
• Cold 
• Air particles (or potential allergens) 
• Low noise 
• Moderate Noise 
• Loud Noise 

BENEFITS WORKING AT SHEDD:

We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.

• Medical Insurance
• Vision and Dental Insurance
• Accrued Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discounts

Reasonable Accommodations:

Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at humanresources@sheddaquarium.org.

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.