The Chicago Zoological Society has had an international reputation for taking a cutting-edge role in animal care and conservation of the natural world. Since opening in 1934, Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo has been a heartfelt destination for many Chicagoans. The merchandise destinations located in Brookfield Zoo support our mission while providing an opportunity for our guests to preserve a memory of their visit. As a conservation organization, shopping at Coast Gift Shop offers an eclectic assortment of treasures for guests and carries the Zoo's largest selection of Fair Trade and eco-friendly products. Proceeds from merchandise sales help to feed and care for our animals! Stuffed Animal Kingdom Gift Shop is popular for a wide variety of fun, furry animals such as an important symbol of conservation, the Okapi. Wildlife Trading Post offers a scenic world tour of unique handcrafted gifts from jewelry, scarves, decorative items, animal masks, toys, crafts, stuffed animals, books, and more! Our guests are sure to find that special item to remember their special visit to Brookfield Zoo.

As Section Supervisor at one of our several Gift Shops, as you greet our many guests with a pleasant smile together with your helpful assistance while they browse to shop for a soon to be cherished souvenir you will maximize their guest experience. The Section Supervisor is responsible for the daily operations of a number of merchandise locations to maximize sales and provide a high level of customer service.

You will utilize your prior retail experience supervising and assisting location employees in customer service and selling merchandise assuring standards of performance and service are maintained. As a supervisor, you will be knowledgeable about services and products while assisting customers in a friendly, efficient and professional manner. You will be responsible for the location's daily operations and maintenance, including opening and closing the location in a timely and efficient manner, clearing registers, verifying accurate cash counts and handling location's daily sales records; authorizing customer returns, credits and exchanges, and employee over rings and no sales. You will be responsible for continually monitoring and adjusting gift and souvenir stock levels as well as supervising the receiving, pricing and moving of merchandise out to display areas. This also includes being responsible and accountable for the accurate and timely completion of inventories and recounts as well as initiating, planning and assigning of merchandise operations project work. As a supervisor you will also be responsible for continually monitoring and adjusting daily staff levels, maintaining an acceptable cost of labor percentage, assigning break periods, handling customer and employee concerns on the initial level and notifying manager, assisting in staff evaluations, and employee training.

Position Requirements and Specifications
This is a temporary position with a starting wage of $8.90 per hour.

The requirements for this position include:

• High School graduate or (GED) equivalent preferred.


• Minimum one year relevant retail experience required.


• Previous supervisory experience preferred.


• Must be able to operate a cash register accurately and efficiently.


• Demonstrated strong customer service skills.


• Strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills required.


• Must be able to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines. Ability to handle multiple tasks.


• Good figure aptitude; eye for detail and accuracy. Possess basic math skills and have a willingness to learn.


• Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience. Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.


• Incumbent must be able to work non-standard hours including evenings, holidays, and weekends.


• Section Supervisors may be assigned to work in gift shops, tents, souvenir stands, photo booths, and carts and may also be required to temporarily assist at other Guest Services locations.

Additional Information
This requisition is to actively recruit for numerous temporary positions for 2015 at a variety of gift shop locations.

Additional requisitions will be posted as additional opportunities become available.

The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer - Minorities / Women / Veterans / Disabled.