Work on the Wild Side!
Turn your passion for animals and conservation into a work experience at African Safari and help our guests create treasured family memories! Each year, we have more than 50 seasonal jobs across every department, including admissions, foodservice, retail, groundskeeping, animal care and education. Many positions open to ages 14 and up.
African Safari Wildlife Park, one of the top family destinations in the Shores & Islands Ohio region, is entering a period of significant growth and investment. Guided by our mission, we are dedicated to inspiring connections between people and wildlife while fostering an appreciation for the natural world.
We’re looking for talented individuals who are passionate about animals, wildlife conservation, and providing amazing guest experiences to embark on this exciting journey with us! Whether you’re an expert in animal care, a leader in guest services, or an advocate for conservation, there’s a place for you on our team.
As the Director of Operations, you will provide our guests with a wildly memorable experience by coordinating essential operations functions such as guest relations, retail, food and beverage, admissions, and point of sale. In addition to providing top-notch customer service, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a willingness to assist across various departments, maintain a positive attitude, and exhibit a passion for learning and growing in a dynamic environment. Efficiency, adaptability, and teamwork are key qualities for success in this role.
Key Responsibilities:
- Admissions
- Manage and supervise all aspects of Park onsite admissions including point-of-sale software, staffing, and customer service
- Work with marketing and sales teams to ensure public-facing staff are trained and aware of all Park promotions and special events
- Food and Beverage
- Supervise all staff and maintain high-quality food safety and professionalism
- Manage all menu items and cost margins, ensuring quality and consistency
- Maintain a Managerial-Level Serve Safe Certificate
- Retail
- Manage and assist in the retail operations including staffing, layout, inventory, stocking, and customer service
- Ensures cleanliness and overall appearance of gift shop and satellite locations
- Coordinate and assist in the procurement of all retail merchandise
- Ensure all merchandise is received and sold in accordance with company policies
- Maintain current knowledge of retail trends
- Information Technology
- Maintain all Park point-of-sale equipment and radios
- Loss Prevention and Cash Control
- Develop, audit and enforce company policies on cash handling
- Assist in daily drawer closeouts and deposits
- Monitor and review all cash deposits and relevant documentation
- Staff Management
- Work closely with Park managers to hire seasonal staff
- Work closely with corporate office staff to complete all company hiring documents
- Coordinate initial general Park training for all new employees and conduct regular customer-service training will all staff
- Maintain Park-wide compliance with all labor laws including but not limited to minor labor laws
- General Tasks
- Oversee all Park policies and procedures
Required Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years of age or older and pass pre-employment screening
- At least 3 years of management experience, preferably including management experience with minor workers
- Experience managing customer-service employees
- Ability to work 40+ hours per week, some of which will be weekend hours
- Flexibility to work after hours and possibly stay overnight, if required
- Regular and dependable attendance and punctuality
- Willingness to travel if needed
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with guests and team members
- Possession of a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and reliable transportation
- Ability to use private vehicle for work-related tasks on occasion with fuel compensation provided
- Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions
- Ability to use Microsoft Office programs
- Ability to perform labor-intensive tasks, including lifting and moving up to 50 pounds and standing for periods up to 8 hours
- Ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull, bend, climb stairs, and climb ladders
Necessary Skills:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with guests and team members
- A team player who collaborates effectively with colleagues
- Skilled at public speaking and comfortable engaging with diverse audiences
- Highly organized and capable of functioning independently
- Basic office and organization skills
What We Offer:
- Subsidized health insurance
- Paid time off with increasing accrual rates over tenure
- Opportunities for further education and development
- Team member appreciation days and parties
- Free admission for yourself, family and friends on your days off
- In-Park discounts on retail items and select animal encounters
African Safari Wildlife Park, one of the top family destinations in the Shores & Islands Ohio region, is entering a period of significant growth and investment. Guided by our mission, we are dedicated to inspiring connections between people and wildlife while fostering an appreciation for the natural world.
We’re looking for talented individuals who are passionate about animals, wildlife conservation, and providing amazing guest experiences to embark on this exciting journey with us! Whether you’re an expert in animal care, a leader in guest services, or an advocate for conservation, there’s a place for you on our team.
As a Year-Round Zookeeper, you will have the opportunity to care for a variety of exotic and domestic animals, from the Giant Giraffe to the Tiny Tarantula. In addition to providing top-notch animal care, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a willingness to assist across various departments, maintain a positive attitude, and exhibit a passion for learning and growing in a dynamic environment. Efficiency, adaptability, and teamwork are key qualities for success in this role.
Key Responsibilities:
- Animal Care & Welfare:
- Provide proper daily care, feeding, and monitoring for a variety of species, ensuring their physical and mental well-being
- Develop and implement enrichment and training plans
- Assist Veterinarians with procedures or treatments when necessary
- Maintenance:
- Assist with habitat maintenance and landscaping to ensure clean, safe, and engaging environments
- Clean/disinfect animal stalls, animal enclosures, keeper and common use space, and the public area around them
- Guest Education:
- Educate guests by answering questions and sharing information about the animals and the park
- Work in animal-related guest service positions, such as supervising feeding areas, facilitating animal encounters, assisting with educational programs, or distributing feed, to enhance visitor experiences
- Administration:
- Assist in inventory and procurement of supplies, such as medications, feed, tools, and substrate
- Utilize Animal Care Software to maintain animal records and observations
- Assist in other departments and with other tasks as assigned
Qualifications:
- Background with or formal education in animal-related field (such as Biology, Zoology, or Wildlife Biology)
- Must be 18 years of age or older and pass pre-employment screening
- Must possess a valid driver’s license with clean driving record and reliable transportation
- Physical ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions and perform labor-intensive tasks, including lifting and moving up to 70 pounds
- Must provide a negative TB test and have a recent tetanus shot
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a positive and collaborative attitude
- Ability to work efficiently under minimal supervision and manage time effectively
- Willingness to learn new skills and adapt to the park’s unique needs
- Flexible schedule, must work most weekends and holidays
- Comfortable learning to operate farm equipment (past experience not required)
What We Offer:
- Opportunities for further education and development
- Team member appreciation days and parties
- Free admission for yourself and family & friends on your days off
- In-Park Discounts on retail and select animal encounters
- Paid Time Off with increasing accrual rates over tenure
Why Work at African Safari Wildlife Park?
Flexible Scheduling
Whether you’re a student balancing work with school or a teacher looking for a fun summer gig, we’ll work with you to create a schedule that meets your unique needs.
Team Member Appreciation
Attend employee-exclusive events and parties throughout the summer season.
Grow Your Skills
Most positions don’t require any previous experience, so you may learn valuable skills like cash handling, public speaking or equipment operation that you’ll use throughout your career.
In-Park Discounts
Take 25% off at the Safari Café and Gift Shop on the days you work, plus 50% off select animal encounters with friends and family!
Free Admission
Visit the Park for free on your days off, plus get six free tickets to share with friends and family after two weeks on the job.
It's a Wild Place to Work!
Work alongside hundreds of amazing animals, including giraffe, zebras, bison, lemurs and kangaroos.
