Operations Supervisor

SUMMARY

The Operations Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the Zoo is clean and “ready for business” daily in order to provide a high quality, consistent visitor experience. This position has oversight over the planning and management of the Zoo’s operating departments to include: rides, attractions, custodial and event logistics.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Sets, models and maintains customer service standards and expectations for operations staff.
2. Develops and posts weekly work schedules and lunch schedules for staff.  Communicates weekly activities that involve operations areas. Plans in advance for special visits and events.  Ensures that planning is communicated and executed.
3. Develops and monitors daily checklists of the operations staff for their assigned areas.
4. Coordinates with, and assists Groups and Special Events staff in assembling a parking crew for all major attendance periods
5. Sets standards and expectations for Park Quality staff in terms of Zoo grounds cleanliness. Evaluates and monitors Park Quality assigned activities.
6. Daily inspects all areas, such as guest bathrooms, walkways, office buildings and animal buildings, to meet and exceed cleaning expectations.
7. Assists Manager, Operations with recruiting, coaching, evaluating, and developing assigned staff. Trains new Park Quality staff on their work assignments, documents progress.
8. Awareness of all daily Zoo meetings for set up, break down and custodial needs.

1. Implements policies and procedures specific to operations areas and safety.
2. Maintains documentation on regularly scheduled staff training and ride/attraction safety.
3. Sets standards and expectations for Ride Operators in terms of Zoo Attraction operation and cleanliness. Trains, schedules, evaluates and monitors ride operators and assigned activities.
4. Ensures that regularly scheduled maintenance on rides is being followed and documented.
5. Works with Manager, Operations to cooridnate department supply inventory and distribution on a routine basis.
6. Actively participates in planning and implementing Zoo events as well as other revenue generating events, including major annual Halloween season event and year-end holiday lights event.
7. Keeps the Operations Manager regularly informed of the progress and results of daily operations for conformity with established objectives, programs and budgets.
8. Assists the Operations Manager in supporting and maintaining audio equipment Zoo wide, including daily operation, special events and shows.
9. With Manager, Operations, maintains inventory, quality of decor, and coordination of lighting for specific events.  Works with external vendors as needed.  Delegates and implements Zoo lighting plans to staff. Assures installation in a timely manner.
10. Responsible for communication with Waste Management vendor(s) including monitoring park waste levels for appropriate scheduled pickups. Sets and maintains expectations with the vendor(s).
11. Responsible for organization and maintenance of inventory management and deliveries for cleaning supplies to guest areas and animal departments.
12. Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ride/Attractions Staff
• Park Quality Staff

SAFETY ANALYSIS

The Operations Supervisor position is impacted by hazardous exposures common to an office environment as well as public safety in an outdoor environment and ride operations.  Some of the following exposures will occur daily:

• Hazards associated attractions operation
• The proper use and understanding of cleaning agents
• Thorough understanding of guest safety protocols, particularly with young children.

Specific training and procedures will be provided, designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection.

The Operations Supervisor is responsible for keeping safety policies and procedures for their areas updated.  In addition, with the Manager, Operations, the Operations Supervisor will conduct monthly safety training sessions addressing specific situations that could occur in their department.

The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory.  The Operations Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that all staff under their direction are trained on the proper use of safety equipment.

The Operations Supervisor, as with any staff member of the Zoo, is required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the staff handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department, Safety Manager, or Manager on Duty (MOD).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by staff to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the staff member should expect:

• Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls.
• Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, bend, crawl, crouch and talk or hear.
• Routinely lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Requires frequent walking for long distances
• Exposure to wet surfaces.
• Frequent exposure to the elements can be expected.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education and work experience

1. High School Degree, some College preferred.
2. Experience in a zoological institution or a recreational theme park preferred. AZA accredited experience preferred.
3. At least three years direct supervisory experience, with a proven ability to plan, organize and direct work programs and supervise staff.

Skills and knowledge

1. Ability to plan and organize work in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
2. Ability to adhere to standard operating policies and procedures.
3. Must be computer literate, proficient in Microsoft Office, and have knowledge of common software applications

1. Must have ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality as well as exercise extreme discretion.
2. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills; high energy and enthusiasm for completion of tasks; team building skills; and the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

1. Ability to multi-task and coordinate with others to provide deliverables on an agreed upon deadline.
2. Ability to think critically and demonstrated time-management skills.
3. Ability to convey information clearly and concisely.
4. Must have good presentation and public speaking skills.
5. Strong organizational skills with strong attention to detail.

Desirable qualities

1. Strong interest in advancing the conservation missions of zoos and aquariums.
2. High self-motivation and a detail-oriented work ethic.
3. Professional, positive, and enthusiastic demeanor.

Other Requirements:

1. Must be First Aid/CPR certified or willing to be trained and certified.
2. Must be willing to occasionally travel locally.  Must have a current valid driver’s license with no prior traffic violations (within the last five years).
3. Must have current negative TB test and provide documentation thereof, or be willing to have a TB test.

POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK

1. Full time
2. Weekdays and weekends required, occasional evening hours (during special events) and holidays.
3. Will be included in Manager on Duty (MOD) rotation

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and functions of this position.