Housekeeping in Bridgeport, Connecticut at Connecticut Zoological Society Inc

Position Summary

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is seeking dependable and service-oriented Housekeeping Staff to support the annual Glow Wild Lantern Festival, held Thursday through Sunday evenings from October 1 through December 20.

Housekeeping Staff help maintain clean, orderly, and guest-ready public and event areas throughout Glow Wild, with particular attention to restrooms, trash removal, and general event-area upkeep.

This position requires reliability, attention to cleanliness and safety, and the ability to respond promptly to changing housekeeping needs during a busy public event.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Housekeeping Staffs may be responsible for the following duties based on nightly operational needs:

• Arrive at the scheduled start time and participate in pre-event preparations and assigned opening activities.

• Inspect and prepare assigned guest and event areas prior to opening to ensure they are clean, orderly, and ready for public use.

• Perform regular restroom checks and cleaning throughout the event and promptly address housekeeping or supply needs.

• Remove trash and maintain waste and refuse areas in a clean and orderly condition.

• Maintain cleanliness of designated guest areas, event spaces, walkways, and other assigned public areas throughout the shift.

• Identify and promptly communicate spills, hazards, maintenance concerns, or other conditions that may affect guest or employee safety.

• Provide courteous assistance to guests when approached and direct questions or concerns to the appropriate event staff when needed.

• Assist with closing housekeeping activities, including final restroom checks, trash removal, and cleaning of designated public and event areas.

• Respond promptly to instructions from the Glow Wild Event Lead, Director of Rentals and Events, or other designated Zoo leadership.

• Report accidents, incidents, guest concerns, safety issues, equipment problems, or other significant operational concerns promptly to the appropriate Event Lead or manager.

• Perform other housekeeping or event-support duties as assigned to meet operational needs.

Timekeeping and Compensation

Housekeeping Staffs are hourly, nonexempt employees and must accurately record all hours worked.

Employees must record all Glow Wild hours under the designated Glow Wild department, separate from their home department, in accordance with the Zoo’s Timekeeping Policy.

Employees may not perform work before or after their scheduled shift without accurately recording all time worked. All compensable time must be recorded, regardless of whether additional work was requested or approved in advance.

Overtime will be paid in accordance with applicable federal and Connecticut wage-and-hour requirements. Generally, nonexempt employees are entitled to overtime at one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for actual hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

Employees should obtain appropriate authorization before working overtime whenever practicable; however, all hours actually worked must be accurately reported and will be compensated as required by law.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The physical demands and working conditions described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including cold, heat, wind, and rain. Glow Wild operates rain or shine unless otherwise determined by Zoo leadership.

• Ability to walk throughout Zoo grounds for extended periods, including across uneven terrain.

• Ability to stand for extended periods and frequently bend, reach, squat, and move throughout the shift.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds.

• Ability to perform routine cleaning and trash-removal activities throughout the shift.

• Ability to work around crowds, noise, changing lighting conditions, and significant pedestrian activity.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Dependable, team-oriented, and attentive to cleanliness and safety.

• Ability to follow instructions and established housekeeping, operating, and safety procedures.

• Ability to work independently and respond promptly to changing housekeeping needs.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced public event environment.

• Ability to interact professionally with guests, employees, volunteers, vendors, and other event partners.

• Evening and weekend availability required during the Glow Wild season.

• Minimum age of 16; certain assignments, equipment, or operational responsibilities may require employees to be at least 18 years of age.

Additional Information

This is a temporary, seasonal position that plays an important role in the successful operation of Glow Wild.

The duties and responsibilities described in this job description are not intended to be exhaustive. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities based on operational needs, qualifications, training, and applicable age or safety requirements.