Public Relations Specialist; Guest Experience Coordinator - Gray Wildlife Park

DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST

GUEST EXPERIENCE COORDINATOR

Opening Date: June 05, 2026

Closing Date: End of the day June 18, 2026

Location: Maine Wildlife Park - Gray

Position Number:

Position Type: Full Time/Year-Round

Class Code: 0824

Grade: 20 (Professional/Technical Unit)

Salary: $20.68 - $28.88 Per Year

BRIEF

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Maine Wildlife Park is one of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s most visible and well-loved public programs, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors each year. The Visitor Experience Coordinator position is a full-time, year-round position based at Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.

During the park’s open season, this position provides hands‑on leadership for daily visitor services operations, including the gatehouse, admissions, retail gift shop, group visits, point‑of‑sale systems, seasonal staff, and customer service volunteers.

During the off‑season, this position helps plan and prepare for the next operating season by supporting hiring and training needs, improving visitor service procedures, coordinating group visit processes, supporting retail and admissions planning, and working with park staff and MDIFW’s marketing team on events, visitor engagement opportunities, and improvements to the overall guest experience.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable leading front‑line staff and volunteers, solving day‑to‑day customer service issues, working with retail and admissions systems, and helping create a welcoming, organized, and professional experience for Maine Wildlife Park visitors.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership for visitor services operations, including the gatehouse, admissions, retail gift shop, group visits, and visitor information.
• Support, train, schedule, and provide daily directions to seasonal temporary staff in customer service, admissions, and retail roles.
• Coordinate volunteers serving in guest‑facing roles, including visitor information, retail support, and special event assistance.
• Operate, monitor, and help troubleshoot point‑of‑sale systems, online ticketing, admissions processing, retail sales, cash handling procedures, daily reconciliation, and related customer service tools.
• Respond to visitors’ questions and concerns, explain park policies, and help ensure a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable visitor experience.
• Coordinate group visits, field trips, shelter reservations, and other scheduled visitor experiences.
• Work with park leadership to improve visitor flow, customer service procedures, retail presentation, signage, and front‑facing operations.
• Collaborate with MDIFW’s marketing and communications team to support special events, seasonal promotions, visitor engagement activities, and on‑site activations.
• Track visitation, customer feedback, group visit information, and retail activity to support planning and visitor experience improvements.
• Work collaboratively with park staff, seasonal employees, volunteers, Friends of Maine Wildlife Park, and other partners.

For questions related to the position, please contact Howie Powell ell

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: This is a full‑time, year‑round position. Weekend, holiday, and occasional evening work are required during the Maine Wildlife Park’s open season, generally April through November. Regular in‑person work at Maine Wildlife Park in Gray is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A four (4) year combination of education, training, and/or experience in outdoor education, public relations, or program management. Education in other fields must be supplemented by two (2) years of work experience which provides knowledge of professional outdoor education, public relations, various media, and/or information dissemination techniques.

Preference will be given to candidates who have knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:

• Experience supervising, training, scheduling, or supporting front‑line staff.
• Experience in visitor services, hospitality, retail, admissions, parks, museums, tourism, recreation, or another public‑facing setting.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to respond professionally to visitor questions or concerns.
• Ability to…