Tour Operator Guide - Seasonal - Part Time - San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION:

The Tour Operator Guide performs all job assignments with a positive attitude that supports San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's mission and vision of saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in wildlife care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature. The Tour Operator Guide works under general supervision to engage and captivate guests through storytelling while operating vehicles and in department areas. They are responsible for facilitating tours, queuing, loading, and dispatching safely and efficiently, providing an exceptional experience for our guests at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. This position reports to the Attractions & Transportation or Tours Supervisor.

This class differs from the Educator Guide class at the Zoo and Safari Park in that the Educator Guide handles wildlife.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Serves as the voice for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, offering captivating an educational tours and connections that introduce our guests to plant, wildlife, conservation science, and our leadership role in the conservation community. Operates vehicles in a manner that promotes our reputation for safety and professionalism including responding to medical and mechanical emergencies as needed. Closely observes pathway conditions and riders, actively looks for and reporting potential safety hazards, and follows department guidelines on timeliness to ensure the efficiency of the department.

• Facilitates boarding processes and engage with guests to answer questions and ensure adherence to safety guidelines. Records and input guest counts and operational data.
• Provides consistently welcoming guest service throughout all job assignments.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The Tour Operator Guide serves as the voice of the San Diego Zoo by delivering engaging, educational tours that highlight our animals, plants, conservation hubs, and leadership in the global conservation community. In this role, guides safely drive double and single deck buses, conduct five to six mission focused tours per shift, assist with boarding procedures, narrate at Panda Ridge, and provide warm, professional guest service. Ideal candidates are passionate about conservation education, thrive in a fast paced environment, are receptive to feedback, and can communicate tactfully while problem solving in real time. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid driver’s license with a good driving record, and have experience in public speaking and guest service, with classroom teaching, higher education, and foreign language skills preferred. These seasonal positions run through August 10, 2026, and selected candidates must provide a current DMV record, pass a Class B physical, and be able to clearly explain scientific concepts to diverse audiences.

JOB EXPERIENCE:

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Training and/or experience which would demonstrate the essential functions, knowledge and skills outlined. An example of which would be prior training or education in the life sciences and prior experience in public speaking; must be 18 years of age.

Valid California Driver License And Upon Hire required Valid California Class B Driver License preferred Must be able to pass a DMV class B physical for Zoo bus positions.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

Knowledge of:

Zoology, with special attention to the care and unique qualities of the wildlife in residence Layout of the Zoo or Safari Park Organization policies, rules and practices Public speaking Principles of public relations

Ability to:

• Communicate clear and concise via an amplified public address system

Operate tour vehicle safely and efficiently

• Handle repetition and unruly passengers
• Update knowledge of animal exhibit and condition changes

Distinguish wildlife in camouflaged habitats

• Follow directions effectively
• Handle physical, medical, and mechanical emergencies
• Monitor sounds
• Perform the duties outlined above

SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER:

Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Family Passes Complimentary Tickets Free Parking at the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park Local and In-House Discounts Employee Assistance Program Wellness Program

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

Location: San Diego, CA Position Type: Hourly Part-Time Non-Exempt Six-Month Seasonal Union Position - If selected, there will be fees and dues to be paid to the union Hourly Rate: $29.99 Fraudulent Recruiting Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.

If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org. If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately.

Be an ally for wildlife by joining our team!

At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we thrive on celebrating our differences. Diversity is vital for the benefit of our team members, our guests, our community, and our wildlife. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org and provide the job title and location to which you are applying. As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. We are not offering sponsorship for this position at this time.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.