Description: Nashville Zoo is seeking an upbeat and positive individual with an outgoing personality to join our team of interpreters. Interpreters give guided tours of the Historic Croft Home and Grassmere Historic Farm to zoo guests of all ages. Interpreters educate zoo guests on the history of the home and land, and how it relates to the Nashville Zoo. Interpreters may assist during special events, member nights, and other occasions; some evening work may be required. Interpreters perform light cleaning of the home, outbuildings, furnishings, and artifacts; will give specialized tours of the grounds, including but not limited to outbuilding tours, tours about the enslaved population, Artifact Encounters and storytelling; and other duties as assigned. Position will work March through October.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Give guided tours of the Croft Home; tours follow a scripted outline that must be memorized
Educate the zoo’s visitors about the home, families that lived there, the land, and how it all relates to the Nashville Zoo
Give guided specialized tours as required
Interact with guests and present information on collection pieces during regular ‘Artifact Encounters’ talks to small groups
Perform daily light cleaning of the floors, furnishings and artifacts in the home and outbuildings following approved museum standards and methods for cleaning
Assist in special events (Boo at the Zoo, Member Nights, Military Appreciation Day, Croft Christmas tours, etc.)
Other duties as assigned
Skills and Requirements:
Must be team-oriented and work well with others
Must have excellent oral communication skills
Must have excellent customer services skills
Must have a desire to work with all ages, from children to adults
Ability to follow written and oral instructions
Ability to give guided tours without direct supervision
Ability to be flexible and adapt tours to multiple age groups and audience types
Ability to stand and walk, including up and down stairs, and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, for extended periods
Ability to lift a minimum of 25 lbs
Ability to respond to emergency situations calmly, following established protocols
18 years of age or older, high school graduate or GED
College coursework in public history, museum studies, oral interpretation, or education strongly preferred
Customer service experience or experience interacting with the public required
Prior to hire, the successful candidate MUST:
Submit to a criminal background check and drug screen
Provide proof of a negative TB test
Provide proof of a valid driver’s license
Special Notes:
Nashville Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace
You will be contacted via email regarding the status of your application. No phone calls, please.