Enhanced Experiences Guide

About the Opportunity
Reporting to the Enhanced Experiences Assistant Manager, the Enhanced Experiences Guide is responsible for providing expertly led tours of the Academy, including VIP Tours, NightLife VIP Tours ,and custom tours, including virtual programs. Responsibilities also include working, coordinating, and responding to customer requests for Enhanced Experiences events, including but not limited to Penguins + Pajamas Sleepovers, Scavenger Hunts, and Birthday Parties.

Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. The Enhanced Experiences Guide role requires staff to be present at the Academy during all shifts. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, including receiving a booster shot, as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy.

About the Enhanced Experiences Team
The Enhanced Experiences Team is a group of passionate professionals who are dedicated to creating and leading programs that enrich guest experiences at the Academy, including daily behind the scenes tours, birthday parties for families, sleepovers in our iconic exhibits, evening events, and more. Through these programs, the Enhanced Experiences team helps share the Academy’s mission to regenerate the natural world and major initiatives to guests of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences.

Key Responsibilities

•  Deliver engaging science-rich content to individual and group guests at the Academy
• Conduct  and run all aspects of Enhanced Experiences, including but not limited to tours, birthday parties, sleepovers, scavenger hunts, and virtual programs, with a high level of enthusiasm and customer service
• Provide exceptional customer service to all guests before, during, and after programs and help coordinate events from start to finish
• Partner with Academy departments to create content for new and existing programs
• Meet and interact with Academy VIP guests as requested
• Prepare content and materials for programs
• Adhere to all Academy and department policies and procedures regarding the care and safety of collections. Ensure that all guests understand and adhere to appropriate protocol and behavior within collection rooms and all areas of the Academy.
• Continuously research, study, explore, and learn more about the Academy, science, and conservation to stay current on what’s happening at the Academy
•  Adhere to the Enhanced Experiences dress code
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
A successful candidate will have the following:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent work and education.
• Demonstrated public speaking experience, tour guide, science interpreter, docent, or teaching experience required
• Experience working with children preferred
• Ability to understand and connect basic biological concepts in order to interpret them to audiences
• Ability to engage with audiences of all ages and group sizes for several hours at a time
• Ability to provide excellent customer service
• Ability to speak confidently in front of a live audience
• Ability to deliver programs with high-energy, creativity, and enthusiasm while walking and engaging with guests throughout the museum grounds

Physical Environment:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Ability to transport up to 50 lbs. on wheeled carts
• Ability to perform repetitive motions 50% of the time.
• Ability to safely lead audiences of all ages and group sizes on both outdoor and indoor tour routes that may include stairs, uneven paths, and secure access areas.

Compensation
Hourly hiring/flat rate: $24.68 per hour
Schedule: Part-time, 16 hours per week

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Review of applications will begin on May 11, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please upload your resume and complete the brief online application

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).

The California Academy of Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to ensure that all employees and applicants receive equal consideration and treatment, regardless of race, color, creed, gender (including gender identity, status, and gender expression), religion (all aspects of religious beliefs, observance or practice including religious dress or grooming practices), reproductive health decision-making, marital or domestic partner status, age, place of birth, national origin or ancestry, physical, mental or medical disability, height or weight, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship, military service status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.