Sr. Public Engagement Facilitator

TITLE:

Sr. Public Engagement Facilitator
DEPARTMENT: Public Engagement
REPORTS TO: Manager of Public Engagement
STATUS: Full-time/Non-Exempt
PAY RATE: $21.50/hr.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Public Engagement Team is responsible for delivering participatory, audience-driven experiences to achieve Shedd’s mission of sparking compassion, curiosity, and conservation for the aquatic animal world.

The Senior Public Engagement Facilitator joins in with the rest of the team in delivering high-quality guest engagements. In addition, the Senior Facilitator models best practices in interpretation, participatory experiences, and conversation-based methods. They are called upon to help with and learn new programs first and help train other team members. The Senior Facilitator regularly observes programs to ensure they are meeting standards of engagement and intended outcomes. They support daily logistics such as program scheduling and are an effective communicator and decision maker. The Senior Facilitator communicates with the team, leaders, and partner departments. In addition, the Senior Facilitator helps identify and lead team initiatives, projects, and exercises to build and maintain interpretive skills and helps create facilitated programs, assisting the Public Engagement Specialist. Qualified individuals will have experience in improv, theatre, and/or informal education settings, as well as demonstrated leadership experience.

TIME COMMITMENT:

• Approximately 40 hours per week
• The schedule for this position is Wednesday - Saturday, 10-hour days.
• 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

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission, and values
• Learn and facilitate multiple scripts and outlines featuring a variety of Shedd’s 32,000 animals, tailoring content to a variety of audiences
• Represent the team as a team leader, serve as team coach
• Complete schedules and manage daily schedule changes when the Coordinator is not in
• Lead various team meetings, including operational and creative meetings
• Lead exercises to build team skills including facilitation, improvisational, and leadership skills
• Assist team in developing and evolving new guest engagement strategies
• Analyze and raise team performance and personnel issues to leaders
• Assist in creating and implementing reward and recognition programs and efforts
• Review programs and complete identified team documentation
• Assist with and learn the script and outline revisions, blocking adjustments, and ongoing program content updates
• Proactively interact with guests, animal care team members, donors, etc.
• Dynamically engage guests about the aquatic world throughout the aquarium
• Work near animals, adhering to established protocols
• Serve as a leader to other staff and volunteers for guest interaction and knowledge
• Regularly observe programs and provide coaching to staff and volunteers, discuss patterns and needs with department Managers
• Attend training workshops as scheduled, lead training elements and workshops
• Assist with and lead onboarding and training with new team members and for new programs
• Demonstrate continued growth in content knowledge and increased aptitude in program delivery/facilitation
• Collaborate closely with leaders to set goals, develop skills, and receive and integrate feedback for professional growth
• Model all best practices in serving as both a team member and coach
• Serve on interdepartmental teams
• Other duties as needed or assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education:

• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent recommended. Some college preferred.

Experience:

• 1+ years of experience in public speaking.
• 1+ years of leadership experience.
• Ability to improvise due to variable animal activities and guest needs
• Knowledge of educational messages and content
• Experience in public engagement preferred
• 2+ years of experience in education, theatre, and or improvisation preferred.
• Experience delivering programs to a variety of audiences in a museum, zoo, or aquarium setting preferred.
• Experience in aquatic science and/or biology preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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 to 30 pounds
• Sit
• Stand
• Stoop
• Walk
• Climb stairs
• Spend the majority of the day on one’s feet

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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

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

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD:

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

• Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
• Vision and Dental Insurance
• Accrued Paid Time Off
• Up to 12 Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k)
• Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Tickets

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 [email protected].

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.