Strolling through Brookfield Zoo and gazing at the vast collection of animals may also inspire a stroll through one of several gift shop destinations. Stuffed Animal Kingdom Gift Shop is popular for a wide variety of fun, furry animals, many of which resemble favorites our guests come to see on their visit to the Zoo. It may be a traditional favorite like a tiger or bear, an important symbol of conservation such as the Okapi, or an unexpected blue hippo or pink penguin.

As a Lead Sales at Stuffed Animal Kingdom Gift Shop, you will assist our many guests and greet them with a welcoming smile as customer service is a number one priority at Brookfield Zoo. Along with that welcoming smile, your helpful assistance, friendly demeanor, and vast knowledge about the merchandise will contribute positively to merchandise sales. As a role model to new seasonal employees, these attributes serve to demonstrate enthusiasm and passion for a positive guest experience. In addition, you will be operating the cash register to accurately ring up sales and balancing the cash draw at the end of each work day; participating in daily operations by cleaning, stocking, pricing, displaying merchandise and taking accurate inventories. As Lead Sales, you may also open, run and/or close in the absence of supervisors as well as provide assistance to management.

Position Requirements and Specifications
As Brookfield Zoo is open 365 days a year, this position highly prefers flexible availability to work any 5 days out of any 7 days each week with work shifts that are usually from 4 to 8 hours in length generally during the hours that Brookfield Zoo is open. From Memorial Day - Labor Day we are open 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily (Sundays until 7:30 p.m.). After Labor Day until Memorial Day the weekend & weekday hours vary from 9:30/10:00 a.m. - 5:00/6:00 p.m. During special events, the Zoo may be open until 9:00/10:00 p.m. Lead Salespersons may be assigned to work in gift shops, tents, souvenir stands, photo booths, and carts. This is a temporary (seasonal) position. Starting wage: $8.55 per hour.

The requirements for this position include:

• High School graduate or (GED) equivalent preferred.
  
  
• One year retail experience preferred.
  
  
• Accurate basic math skills required.
  
  
• A demonstrated high level of customer service skill and the ability to operate a cash register accurately and efficiently.
  
  
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and coworkers required.
  
  
• Must be responsible, well organized and have an eye for detail and accuracy with the ability to handle multiple tasks. Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
  
  
• Must project a willingness to learn new skills and tasks.
  
  
• Project a neat, clean, professional appearance at all times.
  
  
• Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience. Multilingual ability and Spanish fluency a plus.
  
  
• Must be willing and able to work non-standard hours including evenings, holidays, and weekends.

Additional Information
This requisition is to actively recruit for positions that are anticipated to have start dates between March 2014 and May 2014.

Additional requisitions will be posted as additional opportunities become available. Please continue to visit our CZS Career Center for these future opportunities.

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