Public Safety Attendant - Temporary - Potter Park Zoo

Salary: $18.75 Hourly
Location : Lansing, MI
Job Type: Zoo Temporary
Job Number: 202600041
Department: Zoo Temps
Opening Date: 02/09/2026
Bargaining Unit: N/A

Description

**Applications are accepted until there are sufficient numbers of qualified applications or qualified candidate has been identified. The position could possibly close at any time.***

Under the direction of the Zoo Customer Service Manager and Guest Experience Supervisor is the contact person for all zoo staff in the case of emergency and non-emergency situations during work shifts. Assists in the training of temporary public safety attendants at both the reception desk and as a park ranger. Will ensure monthly safety inspections are completed and will participate as a member of the Zoo Emergency Response Team. This position will also act as a receptionist and will assist staff with administrative and clerical tasks.
Essential Functions

1. Respond to all emergency and non-emergency calls, including, but not limited to, medical complaints, lost children, providing first-aid and/or CPR as needed and completes required documentation.
2. Answer multiple phones and radios and direct to appropriate staff or department, prioritizing them as needed. Monitor zoo security cameras and notify zoo staff or emergency personnel as necessary.
3. Enter call data into a CAD program and other digital files. As well as search various programs for files, lost and found items, and other information, compile and save digital or scanned reports, read and send emails and other notifications.
4. Interact with zoo visitors in a positive manner, answer zoo related questions, be available for assistance at all times and accept deliveries and notify appropriate staff.
5. Assists in the training of temporary public safety attendants at both the reception desk and as a park ranger.
6. Ensure a safe environment for all animals, guest, volunteers and staff.
7. Promote positive visitor experience by assisting with the upkeep of general cleanliness in zoo visitor areas and escort authorized vendors or visitors through non-public areas of the zoo as assigned by the Guest Experience Supervisor.
8. Perform clerical tasks to support various departments within the zoo such as file, copy, and create spreadsheets.
9. Will be a member of the Zoo Emergency Response Team, participates in all safety drills at the Zoo and stay's current in knowledge of all zoo emergency procedures.
10. Will maintain a written and/or electronic record of all activity throughout the shift.
11. Ensure monthly safety inspections are completed, flashlights, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, pest control etc. as assigned by the Guest Experience Supervisor.
12. Stay current in knowledge of areas pertaining to public safety in order to maintain best safety practices as required by AZA. This may be accomplished through text books, online, verbally with other institutions and/or by seeking our professional development courses, workshops and job shadows.

Other Functions:

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to HIPAA and other privacy issues.
• During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to, but not limited, to those in his/her job description.
• Adheres to work rules and behavioral expectations stated in the employee manual.

(An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employee may be expected to perform.)
Employment Qualifications

Education: A minimum of a High School Diploma or G.E.D required. College level course work in criminal justice preferred. CPR and first aid certification preferred.

Experience: A minimum of 1 year experience in Safety, and/or Risk Management and customer service experience or related field is required.

Other Requirements:

• Must have a valid driver's license with an exceptional driving record.
• Must complete CPR training and other Zoo offered trainings.
• Must be able to work days, nights, weekends and Holidays.
• Must be able to pass a medical physical and background check.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are standards of performance required for this position.

Demonstrates effective communication skills by engaging, interacting and working with all individuals to ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions.
(The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.)
Requirements and Working Conditions

Working Conditions:

• This position works in both an indoor and outdoor environment. While indoors, there is no planned exposure to notable lights, noises, odors, temperatures or weather conditions. While outdoors, exposure to lights, noises, odors, temperatures or weather conditions cannot be controlled and may be extreme.
• This position operates a variety of vehicles including cars, golf carts, bikes, etc.
• This position has a potential for contact with domestic and wild animals with unpredictable temperaments.

Physical Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, traverse, balance, twist, bend, stoop/crouch, squat, kneel, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch and type.
• This position's physical requirements require little to no stamina in stooping/crouching, squatting, kneeling, and pinching.
• This position's physical requirements require periodic stamina in twisting, bending, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
• This position's physical requirements require regular stamina in typing and reaching.
• This position's physical requirements require continuous stamina in standing, walking, traversing, balancing and grasping.
• This position performs light work requiring the ability to exert 20 pounds or less of force in the physical requirements above.
• This position primarily requires far visual acuity to perform tasks significantly beyond arm's reach such as making general observations about buildings, people or situations, etc.
• This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries both in person and over the phone.
• This position requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer.
• This position requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.

(This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the requirements listed above. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.)

FEB 2019
01

Do you have a High School Diploma or equivalent education?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you at least 18 years of age?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have safety and/or risk management experience, if so briefly describe, if not applicable type N/A.
04

Do you have customer service experience, if so briefly describe, if not applicable type N/A.
05

Did you submit your cover letter and resume?

• Yes
• No

Required Question