Events Staff / On-Call Seasonal (Reid Park Zoo)

Join our team for the ultimate fall and winter seasons in the desert! Reid Park Zoological Society (RPZS or the Zoo) is seeking energetic, customer-focused Event Staff for our seasonal events and fundraisers from October through December to help bring our premier fall and holiday calendar to life. This is a seasonal position with hours that will vary. 

We are hiring immediately so onboarding and training can be completed ahead of our busy event season!  

In this dynamic role, you are a vital part of executing beloved Tucson community traditions, supporting high-profile evening occasions such as our elegant ZOOcson Gala fundraiser, the family-friendly Boo at the Zoo event, the magical, dazzling lights of ZooLights and more! 

Most excitingly, this season features the highly anticipated grand opening of our groundbreaking Pathway to Asia expansion, offering you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help welcome guests into this brand-new, transformational zoo habitat! Pathway to Asia will add four acres to our campus, bringing new species such as red panda, Komodo dragon and Lar gibbons, as well as a breeding facility for critically endangered Malayan tigers when it opens in late 2026.

Working in an active, outdoor environment under the beautiful Tucson fall afternoons and night skies, you will welcome guests, handle the active setup and teardown of event zones, direct crowd flow, and facilitate holiday activities. If you are a reliable team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment, loves connecting people with wildlife, and can work late afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays, apply today to create unforgettable memories in a truly unique setting!

The Zoo is Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participates in over 50 Species Survival Plans for threatened and endangered species. Reid Park Zoo cares for over 200 exotic animal species from around the world, maintains a state-of-the-art elephant program, a cutting-edge veterinary clinic that serves as a teaching hospital for the University of Arizona veterinary program, and is a leader in the Monarch and Songbird Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) programs. With more than 600,000 visits annually, Reid Park Zoo’s mission is to connect people with animals, inspiring the protection of wild animals and wild places. Be a part of a vibrant, growing organization as Reid Park Zoo continues to support local and global conservation and the highest standards in animal care while providing educational opportunities and family fun. 

No phone calls or visits, please.  This position is open until filled.  We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff by creating an inclusive environment.

Pay Range: $17.65 per hour 

Benefits: This position is not eligible for health and welfare, vacation or holiday pay. Benefits of this position include paid sick time, family zoo membership, employee assistance program, and discounts on concession and gift shop purchases. 

Overview: Assists the Events Department in staffing and executing various-sized events, private rentals and parties, including large-scale, complex events, cultural exhibits and activities offered to and attended by the public, on behalf of the Reid Park Zoological Society (RPZS). This role requires exemplary internal and external customer service and communication skills in all aspects of the job. Responsible for assisting with setup, clean up, tear down, and other tasks related to RPZS rentals and events. 

Ability and availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and holidays, is required. Ability to be on time, reliable, dependable and work the entire shift committed to is required. 

Reports To:   Rental Supervisor

General Duties

• Demonstrate and model the core values of the Reid Park Zoological Society (RPZS or the Zoo)
• Perform duties in accordance with RPZS policies and procedures
• Provide excellent customer service as a component of all job duties
• Follow Zoo safety protocols and procedures
• Set up and tear down event-related equipment and accessories, including but not limited to tables, chairs, linens, runners, lighting, decorations, basic audio/visual equipment, clearing trash, cleaning and sanitation as needed.
• Assist event technicians with inventory, scene creation and other projects
• Set up barricades at gates and watch them for security
• Assist in crowd control and flow of large numbers of visitors attending events
• Answer guest questions and provide directions and information as needed
• Help with craft, merchandise, enrichment and information tables
• Assist vendors and sponsors with setup and tear down as needed
• Must view the posted schedule and commit to shifts on a timely, regular basis without need of management oversight
• Must be punctual, reliable and dependable
• This position requires regular onsite attendance

Minimum Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

• High school diploma/GED or equivalent combination of education and experience
• A valid, current, unrestricted driver license
• Successfully complete pre-hire background check and pre-employment drug screen (we do not test for THC)
• Comply with quarterly random drug testing if selected
• Completes all training as required, including New Employee Orientation
• Participates in emergency drills
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to maintain positive, constructive relationships at all levels, with a diverse population of staff, guests, vendors and the public
• Assertive, energetic, and enjoy working in a fast-paced, public/guest attraction focused environment
• Ability to take direction, constructive feedback, act or change direction as needed
• Excellent judgment and organizational skills are necessary to ensure the enjoyment and safety of our guests
• Demonstrated ability to tactfully handle stressful situations, negotiate and resolve conflicts, maintain confidentiality and respect and observe organizational protocol
• Regular, dependable physical attendance at work
• Ability to be on-time, dependable and work entire shifts committed to on a regular and consistent basis
• Ability and availability to work a flexible work schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds on occasion
• Bend, stoop, kneel, reach frequently
• Stand and walk for long periods of time
• Repetitive motions with hands
• Ability to use hands to control power and hand tools
• Ability to safely use and work on ladders 
• Must be able to work outside in either cold or hot weather conditions the majority of the time

Preferred Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

• Associate’s degree or higher
• Additional years of related experience
• A minimum of one year in event planning, hospitality, banquets, catering or restaurant experience
• Additional years’ experience working in an AZA-accredited zoo facility or other park or public attraction environment strongly preferred
• Bilingual (Any language including ASL)

Please note that this document is not an exhaustive list.  It is intended to give a reasonable idea of what might be required

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Reid Park Zoological Society to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Dept.