Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission of Inspiring Communities to Save Wildlife for Future Generations. The Conservation Engagement department has an opportunity for a Seasonal Administrative Assistant. In this capacity, the assistant supports our mission by providing administrative, scheduling, and operational support to both the Guest Experience Volunteer Team and seasonal/part‑time Guest Engagement staff during the busiest summer season. Application deadline: April 7, 2026. Please apply through our careers page, under the about section of our web page. www.denverzoo.org
This position works collaboratively with the Guest Engagement Programs team and plays a key role in ensuring smooth, efficient logistical daily communication, resource organization, scheduling and support for volunteers and part‑time staff throughout the summer season.
The Engagement Seasonal Administrative Assistant serves as an at‑will staff member of the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA), providing essential day‑to‑day logistical and administrative support to ensure smooth operations during the peak summer season. In this role, the assistant supports both the Guest Experience Volunteer Team volunteers and seasonal/part‑time Guest Engagement staff by updating daily schedules, organizing resources, and providing clear, timely daily communication across teams.
This position plays a central role in the daily functioning of Engagement programs by supporting shifting operational needs, preparing and distributing materials, tracking volunteer and staff activity via data, and supporting on‑grounds and behind the scenes workflow. The assistant ensures that volunteers and part‑time staff have the information, tools, uniforms, and resources they need each day to deliver high‑quality guest experiences. This includes maintaining organized workspaces, updating schedules based on real‑time changes and staffing needs, and providing consistent, reliable communication between daily teams and leadership.
Working closely with the Guest Engagement Programs team, the assistant helps uphold efficient operations, fosters a welcoming and well‑supported environment for volunteers and staff, and contributes to the overall success of Engagement programming throughout the summer.
Priority 1 – Seasonal Logistics and Administrative Support
- Serve as a daily point of logistics support for Guest Experience Volunteers and part‑time Guest Engagement staff during the season.
- Adjust and maintain schedules for both volunteers and part‑time staff based on daily needs as requested by manager.
- Maintain analog and electronic program updates, materials, restock supplies, and provide on‑grounds support in volunteer areas as requested.
- Keep detailed records of training and hours tracking for both volunteer and part‑time team support as requested.
- Collaborate with Interpretation Programs, Adult Volunteer Teams, and seasonal staff leadership to ensure strong operational execution across programs.
- Maintain, organize, and distribute volunteer and part‑time staff uniforms, ensuring all items are clean, orderly, and readily available throughout the season.
- Maintain tidy and organized volunteer and staff work areas, ensuring shared spaces remain clean, orderly, and ready for daily operations.
Priority 2 – Communication & Relationship Building
- Communicate clearly with guests, staff, and volunteers in person and electronically.
- Build and maintain professional relationships to foster a welcoming and united volunteer and part-time staff community.
- Support a cohesive and engaging guest experience through volunteer and staff interactions.
Priority 3 – Programmatic Mentorship
- Act as a resource for on-the-mentoring and supporting Guest Experience Volunteers in their roles.
- Assist with training, reflective practice, and skill development as requested.
- Maintain training scheduling and scheduling communication as requested.
Other Responsibilities and Duties
Other Duties/Responsibilities: Other assistance, as designated by Engagement team leadership, to support the overall goals of the department and organization. DZCA retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
Budgetary/Fiscal Responsibilities: Acts as a good steward of DZCA’s resources.
Responsibility for Confidentiality: The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of DZCA.
Contact with Others: This position will interact with volunteers, variable part-time and full-time staff members across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations and the public.
Work Location: On campus
JOB REQUIREMENTS/EXPERIENCE
Education: Completion or in pursuit of a high school degree or equivalent required, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Experience: Experience with organizing for daily operations, including scheduling, strong communication skills in professional settings. Preferred experience includes supporting informal programs and volunteers, engaging proactively with guests in informal environments, and familiarity with scheduling or volunteer management software a plus.
- Ability to interact with multigenerational audiences, including multigenerational volunteers and staff
- Comfort and confidence in presentation skills; ability to communicate effectively in noisy, crowded situations.
Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite are preferred.
Requires organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize work and tasks. Requires adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-task, and changing environment, and the ability to work as part of a team.
Requires the ability to embrace, support, and integrate DZCA philosophies to promote and demonstrate its commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and anti-racism.
Schedule Availability: This seasonal position will be 32-40hr/week and will work a Thursday – Monday work week, including weekends as regular work days. This is a seasonal position that is budgeted for May 2026 through the end of Summer 2026.
Licenses/Certifications: None
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
Ability to speak, understand, and communicate in English effectively, in person, and in writing. Ability to hear adequately in person and by phone, in personal and group settings, occasionally with a moderate noise level.
Ability to work with, and process information from, a variety of individuals and media (e.g., computers, projected images, printed materials), and combination of sitting, walking and/or standing up to 7 hours per day.
Mobility is necessary to access various offices and a wide variety of meeting and zoo settings. Mobility necessary to perform a variety of tasks that involve standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, bending, twisting, occasionally climbing stairs or using an elevator, possibly reaching chest high and overhead for materials, and the use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. Ability to reach for, move, and/or lift to 15 pounds and the use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Application Process & Timelines
Resumes / Completed applications must be submitted by April 7, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately. DZCA reserves the right to close the position before this date.
Compensation
The hourly rate for this position is $19.30 (hourly).
Benefits
This is a seasonal position and as such is not eligible for benefits; however sick time is accrued.
Application Process and Timelines
- Open until filled. Review of applications will begin immediately. Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance reserves the right to close the position prior to this date. This is a seasonal position that is budgeted for May 2026 through the end of Summer 2026.
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
