Reviewed: April 2015 1. Position : Officer Theatrical, Tenure Employee Reports to : Casual : TBA : Coordinator 2. Context Zoos Victoria operates world-class zoos on three sites the Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Our mission is to galvanise communities to commit to the conservation of wildlife and wild places by connecting people and wildlife. ZV will deliver this Vision through a range of unique animal experiences that are alive with wonder, creating strong emotional bonds with animals and providing an opportunity to learn, socialise, and take action to help wildlife. The experiences at each of the three unique zoos will be underpinned by excellent animal care and management practices, and linked to effective environmental education and field conservation programs. ZV is led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Senior Executive Team (SET), whose mission is to be ever-responsive to meeting changing market and community needs, to develop and implement strategies that create world leading zoos and to manage a successful and financially sustainable business. Our vision is to achieve this by transforming into the world-leading zoo-based conservation organisation and focusing on the following key areas: Conservation: We will focus and strengthen the conservation efforts of Zoos Victoria to ensure the delivery of tangible conservation outcomes. Animals: We will establish Zoos Victoria as one of the leading organisations for creating net gains in conservation, through ensuring that every species in our collection has conservation relevance, strive to be a world leader in animal care and wellbeing, and actively advocate conservation of wildlife. s We will provide innovative wildlife-based recreation and learning experiences that inspire and facilitate visitors to take conservation actions that make a measurable and positive difference. People We will support our staff s development to ensure they, and the organisation as a whole, can transform Zoos Victoria into a zoo-based conservation organisation. Financial Sustainability - We will ensure the long-term financial sustainability of all our operations to be able to maintain and improve the value of assets and make meaningful and measurable investment in conservation.
The organisation s key challenges include: Ensuring the vitality and relevance of ZV s strategic directions in the light of current and future changes in visitors needs and the community s needs Understanding the expectations of, and then securing commitment and support from, government, corporate and community stakeholders Revitalising Zoos Victoria s experiences and programs Growing revenues from admissions and commercial activities, proactively managing costs and increasing operating margins to fund asset refurbishment and business development Ensuring the quality and sustainability of ZV s living animal collections Creating a talent pool of staff for the future, working in a culture of engaging visitors, operating efficiently and working safely within their working environment. 3. Purpose Statement This role is aligned to the Healesville Sanctuary Action Plan and will report to the Coordinator. These casual roles support our future growth and direction, helping to create and deliver a range of face-to-face (F2F) experiences that will differentiate our offer and result in visitation growth from 350,000 to 500,000, and an increase of Net Promoter Score over the next five years. Officer (Theatrical) deliver face-to-face visitor engagement that connects visitors with conservation action and the wonders of wildlife and the environment. This role is focused on Zoos Victoria s commitment to fighting extinction. The role involves engaging visitors with the issues around wildlife, both locally and globally, and inspiring them to take positive conservation action.the role will help to influence behaviour change amongst the public on-site and off-site. The role will also be used to tell the various stories of Zoos Victoria and its mission to fight extinction. The role will provide face-to-face encounters through roving characters but will also include animal encounters and other theatrical activities designed to connect at a variety of touch points including Quarterly Campaigns, specific exhibits, on the pathways and at promotional events. The character will be based at Healesville Sanctuary, but may be required for ad hoc work at Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and other external locations, such as events, as required. 4. Scope & Dimensions of the Position Number of Staff: Nil
5. Reporting Lines Director GM Experience Manager Interpretation Officer Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Officers Casuals (includes theatrical, seasonal encounters) Officer (Encounters) 1.0 F/T Officer (Cultural).8 P/T 6. Key Relationships Internal External Coordinator Manager & Team General Manager Experience Operations Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Life Sciences department All departments within Healesville Sanctuary Community Conservation General Manager ZV Experience Managers MZ, WORZ + HS Experience Coordinators MZ, WORZ + HS s Volunteers
Key Accountabilities Measurement Criteria Deliver engaging, fun and interactive face-toface encounters through the facilitation of roving zooperhero characters, other theatrical applications, or animal encounters as required for general visitors and schools. Convey messages within Zoos Victoria s strong thematic frameworks, using personalised contact and interaction. Influence and persuade visitors to take an active role in specific conservation issues surrounding threatening process such as climate change or deforestation as directed within the guidelines of ZV campaigns (e.g. Wipe for Wildlife Fighting Extinction). Facilitate interactive engagement with visitors using Fighting Extinction Headquarters and other key exhibits as a creative, theatrical space for connection and learning. Participate in training to understand the targeted campaign and the delivery of key messages. Provide a high standard of presentation and character delivery in line with guidelines for visitor engagement and scripted material. Ensure attendance and punctuality as rostered to guarantee character appearances. Approach and engage visitors proactively and with confidence, energy and enthusiasm. Distribute collateral such as campaign stickers to visitors. Ensure each encounter results in positive word of mouth promotion of the targeted campaigns, Zoos Victoria and the messages surrounding fighting extinction. Role based at Healesville, but flexibility to appear publicly at all three Zoos Victoria sites (Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary) or external locations for campaign promotion as required. Other duties as requested Administration and Reporting Prepare report at the completion of each day to provide feedback to supervisor on number and success of encounters, including feedback from visitors and schools. Stakeholder/Customer Management Liaise with internal stakeholders to ensure effective operations. Supervisor satisfaction. Co-worker satisfaction. Stake holder feedback. Adherence to policies and procedures. High customer satisfaction. feedback and satisfaction encounter targets reached. Measured targets for campaign conversion reached. All encounters delivered on message. Collateral distributed. Daily feedback forms completed Feedback assessment by Manager. Stakeholder feedback.
Key Accountabilities Zoo People Maintains a work place where Zoo People are respected and valued through demonstration of the vision and values thus supporting a positive and fulfilling work environment. Measurement Criteria Demonstrates commitment to vision and values through personal behaviours and example to team members and other staff. Demonstrates expertise and professionalism in all interactions Behaves in accordance with the vision and values of Zoos Victoria Communicates openly and honestly whilst respecting others Actively contributes to the team, the department, the property performance Safety Work to SOP s for all F2F encounters, ensuring personal, animal and visitor safety Report issues to Coordinator and be aware of incident or hazard reporting. No safety incidents Safety policy awareness Hazard and incident procedure awareness 7. Background Knowledge Required for Position Training and Education Demonstrable qualifications and/or relevant experience in performance, interpretation, education or other relevant area. Current drivers licence. Skills, Knowledge & Experience Advanced communication, and enjoyment of public speaking, drama/theatrical presentations or face-to-face interpretation. Proven organisational and interpersonal skills, especially with public audiences. A strong and passionate interest to learn more about wildlife and community conservation action. Proven flexibility and ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Passion for performance and theatrical entertainment Experience in education or performance to public audiences kids to adults Customer service/hospitality experience Demonstrated ability to work in and facilitate a team environment Be available to work hours across 7 days as required according to business needs. There are no set hours or guarantee of hours. Hours Minimum shifts of 3 hours and maximum shift up to 7 hours with relevant breaks. Mostly daytime hours external events may require evening shifts on occasion. A mix of weekends, school holidays, public holidays and one to two week days during term time as required by Learning Experiences. The position is currently funded, funding will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Additional Employment is subject to providing: Willingness to wear costume and carry out live performances, in character as main duty. Willingness to be trained in animal encounters on a range of species including mammals, birds and reptiles. Commitment to working on a casual roster including weekend days, school and public holidays and some weekdays. Note there is no set guarantee of hours, these are ongoing casual positions. Current Driver s Licence. Current working with Children Check.