Public Events Experience Specialist

Job Title:

Public Events Experience SpecialistFLSA Status:
Non-exempt

Classification:
Full Time

Hours:

Varies based on event needs; includes weekends, holidays, and evenings

Pay Rate:
Range starts at $20.49/hour

Summary:

The Public Events Experience Specialist supports the creative development and execution of the Zoo’s most iconic public events, helping transform beloved spaces into immersive, memorable experiences that attract new audiences and deepen community connection. Reporting to the Director of Events, this role contributes to the ideation, design, and onsite delivery of large-scale public programs that extend the Zoo experience beyond traditional daytime visitation.

This position supports a robust portfolio of signature public events spanning over 70 event nights annually and welcoming more than 150,000 guests. Events such as Zoolightful, Zootacular, Late Nights at the Zoo, and Shark Tunnel of Love invite guests to experience the Zoo in unexpected ways, creating moments that feel festive, intimate, and distinctly different from a typical visit.

Working in close collaboration with Events leadership and cross-functional partners, the Public Events Experience Specialist helps shape the end-to-end guest journey, from early concept development and research through event execution and post-event evaluation. This role is hands-on, creative, and detail-oriented, offering meaningful exposure to large-scale event production and significant opportunity for growth within the Events team.

This professional role is ideal for someone who is curious, imaginative, service-minded, and eager to participate in the process of building, delivering, and refining exceptional public events.

Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions (include but not limited to):

Event Concepting and Experience Design Support ideation and development of public event concepts that are creative, relevant, and aligned with the Zoo’s brand, mission and audience goals.

Research trends and benchmark comparable events to inform new ideas and enhancements.

Assist in refreshing existing events to keep experiences dynamic, timely/relevant, and engaging.

Contribute to experience design by considering guest flow, atmosphere, storytelling, and moments of delight.

Partner with key stakeholders, including Marketing and Education, to ensure event storytelling is properly told and reflects the brand, mission and work we do.

Event Production and Execution Support the coordination of vendors, performers, partners, and experience providers under the direction of Events leadership.

Assist with planning logistics, timelines, run-of-show details, and onsite coordination.

Serve as visible, welcoming presence during events, supporting activations and guest engagement.

Provide hands-on support during live events, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Marketing to support accurate and compelling representation of public events across digital platforms and promotional materials.

Collaborate with Business Systems and internal teams to support ticketing setup and digital guest touchpoints.

Collaborate cross-departmentally with Food and Beverage, Retail Operations, and Guest Services to ensure alignment of guest amenities, operational readiness, and overall event experience enhancements.

Coordinate with internal Zoo teams to ensure public events align with safety standards, and guest service expectations.

Guest Journey and Continuous Improvement Support a holistic view of the guest journey, from discovery and ticket purchase through arrival, attendance and post-event follow-up.

Reference guest feedback and performance insights as a guide to how an event feels and resonates with guests, and iterate on the experience…