Shedd Aquarium – Guest Ambassador

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Closing date: March 31, 2026

Job Title: Guest Ambassador

Start date: On-Site Orientation week of May 4

End date: Must be declared by the candidate upon accepting the offer

Modality: In-Person

Location : Shedd Aquarium

Wage: $17

Hours per week: 20-29 hours

• Shift scheduling will be 3-4 days a week up to 10 hours a day depending on shift
• Ability to work anytime from 7am to midnight
• Tuesdays or Wednesdays are preferred
• At least one weekend day (Saturday or Sunday)
• Must be willing work holidays (varied hours)
• Must be available for orientation week of May 4th for 3 full days

About Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium is a renowned Chicago landmark home to thousands of aquatic animals from around the world. It offers immersive exhibits, hands-on learning experiences, and a strong focus on conservation, research, and inspiring connections between people and aquatic life.

Job Summary:

Seasonal Guest Ambassadors are an integral part of the overall guest experience at Shedd. These individuals are posted throughout the operation engaging in such duties as selling tickets, greeting guests, scanning tickets, seating for presentations and shows, supporting Ancillary Operations, and wayfinding. Depending on operational needs, some posts are located outside of the building. All team members act as role models for outstanding customer service standards, both within the department and the aquarium.

Responsibilities

Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission, and values.
• Consistently provide seamless and joyful behaviors at all posts using the GUEST
  framework:
• G – focus on high-energy greeting by going to the guest
• U – ask the right questions at each post to understand what the guest needs. “Where are you visiting from?” “What animals are you most excited to see today?” “Are you a member?”
• E – engage guests, using Ask Me! animal knowledge and three interpretation  techniques: 
  • Ask questions. “How many sea stars do you see?”
  • Use metaphors. “Sea otters eat 25% of their body weight every day. That’s like if I ate 10 pizzas!”
  • Make connections. “Since you love sharks, have you also seen Wild Reef?  Did you know Shedd members get a discount on 4D/VR/Must
    See Tour?”
• S – solve guest needs by helping them with what they asked for and surprising them with a personal recommendation for something extra.
• T – thank guests for visiting and impact their decision to visit again 
• The following are examples of duties performed by Guest Relations Ambassadors:
  • Accurately and efficiently guide guests throughout the building.
  • Provide accurate and concise information about Shedd tickets and experiences.
  • Scan tickets.
  • Assist guests with automated kiosks.
  • Ability to learn and effectively utilize a computerized point-of-sale system:
  • Successfully complete sales training and sell tickets to guests.
  • Accurately bank in and bank out their cash till at the start and close of their shifts.
  • Accurately count back change to guests.
• Use Tessitura to facilitate ticket sales, comeback CSIs, and occasional refunds.
• Safeguard animals in all open-water habitats
• Exhibit schedule and post flexibility for daily operations and events; move throughout the building helping guests and partner teams
• Demonstrate a results-oriented approach to all of Shedd’s available upgrades (Membership, CityPASS, 4-D, Virtual Extraordinary Experiences, learning programs)
• After training, expertly attend the Information Desk and the wide variety of guest needs
• 4-D Theater and Virtual Reality operations.
• Other service posts as assigned as business need arises.
• Support guest experience using proactive engagement tactics at touch habitats and galleries
• Demonstrate active participation in continuous learning and professional growth. Could include:
  • Ask Me Training/Trainer
  • Extraordinary Experience Host
  • Amigos Marinos
  • Event Supervisor
  • Cash Office Assistant
  • Team Trainer
  • Leader Support
  • Attend and actively participate in daily shift meetings.

Qualifications:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education:

• High School diploma
• Current CCC student pursuing an Associate Degree.
• GPA of 2.5 or higher

Additional Skills

• Ambassadors must be outgoing, dynamic, and enthusiastic.
• Friendly and personable demeanor towards all; embracing the multicultural differences of our staff and guests is a must.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays (varied hours).
• Must be able to maintain a consistent and reliable attendance record, arriving on time for all scheduled shifts and meetings.

Language Skills:

• Ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English fluently.
• Ability to read and comprehend basic instructions given from written and oral sources.
• Ability to write professional business correspondence. 
• Ability to effectively present information to and collaborate with all levels of
  employees.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to understand basic mathematical relationships and formulas.
• Ability to understand and employ intermediate-level accounting mathematics

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to work with little or no supervision.

• Ability to work within a team environment.
• Ability to use common sense techniques in solving problems.
• Ability to solve complex logical problems.
• Ability to use diplomacy and tact when dealing with problems.
• Ability to identify problems and determine the best course of action for their resolution.
• Ability to critically evaluate the information for accuracy and usefulness in solving problems.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in a variety of situations.

Computer Skills and Abilities:

• Basic Microsoft Office functionality is preferred.
• Tessitura Ticketing experience preferred

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Lift up to 15 pounds
• Stoop
• Walk
• May be required to stand or sit for long hours.
• May be required to work outdoors.

Work Environments:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an
employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential
functions.

This person may be exposed to:

• Water
• Heat
• Cold
• Exposure to the elements in an outdoor setting
• Exposure to air particles and potential allergens
• Low noise
• Moderate noise
• Loud noise
• Crowds

Benefits of working at Shedd

• Accrued Paid Time Off
• 401(k)
• Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness program
• Employee discounts
• Employee Tickets

Reasonable Accommodations

Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty
military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

We also suggest that you contact the Career Development Department at your campus for assistance with your résumé, cover letter or interviewing workshops:

Contact through Navigate

• Daley College –Lisset Diaz   – on Navigate
• Harold Washington College – Jasmin Dobson OR Ashley Smith – on Navigate
• Kennedy-King College – Ingrid Prioleau Byrd – on Navigate
• Malcolm X College – Darwin Pettis  –  MXC-Careers@ccc.edu
• Olive-Harvey College –  Charlene Haymond-Bussell  –  chaymond-bussell@ccc.edu
• Truman College –  Meredith Gallo-Murphy – mgallo-murphy@ccc.edu
• Wilbur Wright College – Joe Reaves – jreaves@ccc.edu

How to Apply:

1. 1. Review this job description
   2. Fill out this pre-screening application
   3. Update your Resume and Cover Letter (templates above)
   4. Click the link below to Apply
   5. After completing the application link, your resume and cover letter will be screened by CCC to determine IF you meet the requirements for the position.
   6. CCC will communicate with you if you are moved forward in the process so you can continue the process with the employer.

The job for which you have applied is now a union job. All non-supervisory jobs in Guest Relations are included in the unit of employees represented by Shedd Workers United, AFSCME Council 31. The union was elected in November, and we have not yet begun contract negotiations.

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