Job Description
Kiddie Park & GE Driver Manager
Collaborate with a passionate Zoo Crew in San Antonio
Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the place you choose to work at will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.
The Impact You’ll Make in this Role
The Kiddie Park and Guest Experience Driver Manager oversee the daily operations of Kiddie Park attractions and the Zoo’s Guest Experience Driver program, ensuring a safe, efficient, and exceptional experience for all guests. This position is responsible for supervising rides, transportation operations, team members, and leadership staff while maintaining the highest standards of safety, cleanliness, operational excellence, and hospitality.
This role provides leadership and strategic oversight for guest transportation modalities including trains, shuttles, carts, jeeps/trucks, and Kiddie Park rides. The Manager is responsible for staffing, training, scheduling, compliance, operational readiness, guest recovery, and performance management while fostering a positive and service-oriented culture throughout the department.
This position requires frequent guest interaction and visible leadership throughout Zoo operations and special events.
As a Kiddie Park & GE Driver Manager, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by:
- Supervise and coordinate efficient and cost-effective daily operations of Kiddie Park attractions and Guest Experience transportation services.
- Oversee all transportation operations including trains, guest shuttles, carts, jeeps/trucks, and future transportation experiences.
- Establish, direct, and enforce operating policies, procedures, and safety standards for rides and transportation operations.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA standards, city code requirements, transportation safety regulations, and Zoo operational procedures.
- Lead, coach, and develop Ride Operators, Drivers, Leads, and Assistant Managers to maintain operational excellence and superior guest service.
- Recruit, interview, onboard, train, evaluate, and discipline team members in accordance with Zoo policies and procedures.
- Develop staffing plans and assist with scheduling to ensure proper operational coverage for rides, transportation, special events, and peak attendance periods.
- Ensure all driver certifications, ride certifications, employee records, training documentation, and safety logs remain current and compliant.
- Conduct operational audits, safety inspections, and daily readiness checks for all rides and transportation vehicles.
- Ensure all opening, operating, and closing procedures are completed accurately and consistently.
- Monitor rider and passenger safety to ensure compliance with all ride and transportation requirements.
- Ensure cleanliness and appearance standards are maintained for Kiddie Park, train depots, transportation vehicles, queue lines, restrooms, and associated facilities.
- Ensure staff are properly trained on the safe use of equipment, tools, chemicals, pressure washers, steam cleaners, and leaf blowers.
- Learn and maintain certification to operate the Train, Carousel, Kiddie Park rides, and transportation vehicles as needed.
- Respond to and resolve guest concerns, complaints, and service recovery situations in a professional and timely manner.
- Maintain strong communication with guests, leadership, peers, contractors, vendors, and other Zoo departments.
- Collaborate with Special Events and other operational teams to support after-hours events, private functions, catered events, and seasonal activations.
- Assist with budget awareness, inventory oversight, operational supply management, and vendor coordination.
- Analyze operational performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, safety, staffing, and guest satisfaction.
- Ensure all transportation vehicles and rides are maintained in partnership with maintenance and facilities teams.
- Report unsafe conditions, maintenance concerns, accidents, or operational issues immediately to leadership.
- Guide staff toward improving guest service standards and maintaining a culture of hospitality and professionalism.
- Uphold all company policies as outlined in the Standard Operating Procedures, Team Member Handbook, and Code of Business Conduct.
- Consistently exhibit an attitude of service inside and outside of the Zoo, showing hospitality to all.
- Be fully committed to the mission of the San Antonio Zoo to create awareness that inspires action to care for the wild world we steward and the animals we protect.
Other Responsibilities
- Performs other work-related duties as required and assigned.
Your Skills and Expertise
To set you up for success in this role from day one, the San Antonio Zoo recommends the following skills/qualifications:
- Associate degree required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of two years of supervisory or management experience required.
- Previous experience in attractions, transportation, rides, hospitality, guest experience, or themed entertainment operations preferred.
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to lead teams in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment.
- Must possess excellent guest service and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to train, coach, and develop team members effectively.
- Strong understanding of safety compliance and operational procedures.
- Responsible for completing all assigned training courses by established deadlines.
- Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License with a clean driving record.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain certifications required to operate rides and transportation vehicles.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to work outdoors in varying climate and weather conditions typical of South Texas.
- Flexible schedule required, including weekdays, weekends, nights, holidays, and special after-hours assignments.
- Successful candidates must complete a pre-employment drug screening, background check, motor vehicle record review, and National Sex Offender Search.
The San Antonio Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. San Antonio Zoo will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.