Position Summary
Responsible for the delivery of birthday parties on-site for The Florida Aquarium. Stocks and prepares materials and supplies for upcoming scheduled birthday parties. Ensures that all programs presented are effective and meet or exceed the needs/expectations of the customer, as determined by evaluation, and in direct support of the purpose/vision/mission/values of The Florida Aquarium.

Essential Position Functions
• Works both weekend days when parties are scheduled.
• Conducts and leads birthday parties in the Aquarium.
• Delivers extraordinary customer service to all Aquarium guests and staff.
• Complete and maintains tiered animal training (including quizzes and personal presentations) to successfully handle animals within the Education Department collection.
• Assures that materials and supplies are fully stocked.
• Conducts games with the children and guides participants around the aquarium.
• Delivers and serves food and drinks to party participants.
• Assures that all needed materials are prepared and ready for all parties, including those not self-staffed.
• Works effectively in a team environment.
• Works with Lead Host to promptly turn in price adjustment forms.
• Assists in the answering of informational requests received by The Florida Aquarium.
• Attend required trainings and green initiative outings as it pertains to individual and organizational goals.
• Other duties assigned by manager

Education Requirements and Technical Skills
• Experience working with children in a formal and/or informal setting
• Experience in customer service and problem solving techniques
• Animal handling experience preferred
• Program development in a formal and/or informal setting preferred
• Working knowledge of Word for Windows, databases and spreadsheets

Competencies
• Customer Service Orientation — Listening and understanding the customer (both internal and external) and anticipating and evaluating the customer’s needs; making the customer’s satisfaction a high priority in all areas of responsibility.
• Teamwork — Supporting, facilitating, and participating in activities that promote team effectiveness; demonstrating sensitivity for the feelings and needs of team members and supporting team goals.
• Communication (oral and written) — Effectively expressing ideas verbally and non-verbally and actively listening to individuals and groups of all ages; preparing and focusing presentations to the characteristics and needs of the audience; expressing ideas clearly and concisely in written form, through memoranda, letters, reports, and other documents.
• Flexibility — Working in a fluid environment that may require adapting to unique customer service situations and adjusting scheduled shifts when necessary.
• Creativity — Proactively combining ideas, resources and skills in new and adaptive ways to better meet outcomes and objectives; finding new ways of positioning the aquarium worldwide as a model of excellence.
• Information Gathering and Monitoring — Effectively collects relevant data using questioning or research techniques to monitor and manage projects
• Planning and Organizing — Establishing a course of action with specific long-range goals for birthday parties; setting priorities among competing requirements and allocating resources in the most efficient and effective way; developing contingency plans that anticipate changes in the work environment.
• Follow-up — Institutes methods for monitoring people and projects
• Respect as it pertains to working within a team dynamic and the treatment of animals.

Typical Physical Requirements
• Standing (approximately 3 hours per day)
• Sitting (2 hours per day)
• Walking (3 hours per day)
• Typing on a computer keyboard
• Carrying up to 50 lbs — Occasionally
• Lifting up to 50 lbs — Occasionally
• More than normal talking
• Daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals in a central Florida climate
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity (indoor and outdoor programs)
• Ability to travel (car) as needed
• Exposure to various plants and animals
• Subject to bites, stings and scrapes
• Flexibility in working weekends and evenings
• Flexibility in working holidays