Team Specialist II, Entertainment

Position Title:  Team Specialist II

Department:    Entertainment

Classification:  Part Time/Non-Exempt

Direct Report:  Manager, Entertainment 

Position Summary:

Under the Direction of the Manager of Entertainment, the Team Specialist II will function as a Featured Performer and will lead Entertainment facilitations in the Atrium, Galleries, and the Plaza. This role requires the Team Specialist II to have excellent acting, public speaking, character development and improvisational skills, and the ability to memorize multiple scripts and maintain performance-readiness for a variety of programs and facilitations simultaneously.

The Team Specialist II will serve as an Operations Coordinator and will support all Entertainment and Guest programing as required. This will include, but is not limited to, liaising with Aquarium Partners and External Clients, supervising third-party Vendors, and hosting Performance Groups. This may also include overseeing set-up and operation of basic technical elements for various programming and serving as a day-of coordinator for certain aspects of Guest Programming or Special Events.

The Team Specialist II will help ensure the proper operation of the Entertainment programming and adherence to all established schedules. They will maintain the artistic direction for all programming as set by the creative team and will comply with all standards, policies, and procedures required to maintain a safe and engaging Guest Experience.

Due to the nature of Character/Mascot performing, this position may require the Team Specialist II to work in close-fitting, multi-layered costumes with enclosed head pieces that may have limited vision. Some elements of the costume may be supported by the back, head, and/or shoulders. The ambient temperature inside the Mascot costume will often be warmer than that of the building. Appearances may also require exaggerated movement while in costume that may contribute to a notable level of physical exertion. Character appearances may last up to 45 minutes. The position requires schedule flexibility and open availability which may include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays.

1. Responsibilities:
   1. Appear as a Featured Performer, leading entertainment facilitations in the Atrium, Galleries, and the Plaza at Georgia Aquarium. This will include, but is not limited to, Scripted Performances, Improvisational Entertainment, and other performer-led activations.
   2. Support seasonal Special Event activations and other Production/Entertainment facilitations as needed, which may include appearing as a Featured Character, Narrator, Emcee, Lead /Branded Character, or other speaking role.
   3. Appear as a Primary/Featured Performer in the main theatrical venues for Animal Presentations as required by the Entertainment Programming Package.
   4. Serve as an Operations Coordinator to oversee daily/seasonal event programming as directed.
   5. Participate in creative work sessions to conceive and develop new Entertainment programming.
   6. Collaborate with designers and creative staff to execute and maintain the vision of Entertainment programming as directed.
   7. Engage in and support partnerships and collaborations with other artistic organizations that are mutually beneficial, and that serve to raise the overall quality of our Entertainment experience for our Guests.
   8. Appear as a Mascot/Atmosphere Performer and/or function as a Character Handler to help facilitate the logistics of the appearance, ensure the safety of the performer and any Guests in close proximity to the character, and maintain proper timekeeping for the appearance. Occasional appearances may require traveling to /working at an off-site location.
   9. Able to stand, walk, jump, run, and move around in the mascot costume for extended periods of time up to 45 minutes for as many as 6 sets a day. Must have the stamina to perform physically demanding activities such as dancing, waving, bending, and engaging in active crowd participation.
   10. While in Guest areas, serve as a hospitality ambassador and assist Guests by being friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about basic Aquarium information.
   11. Oversee and ensure that scheduled operations are carried out with limited
   12. Ensure that the proper use, handling, storage, upkeep and maintenance of costumes and props is observed as required.
   13. Ensure the maintenance of a clean and safe environment in all workspaces.
   14. Perform other duties as workload

III.  Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent theater, music, or film experience
2. Previous 2 years of theatre, film, or music/live performance experience required.
3. Preferred experience in theater settings (i.e., auditoriums, arenas, ) or high-volume visitor settings such as festivals, Renaissance Faires, or theme parks preferred.
4. Previous experience with live entertainment or special event production is preferred.
5. Previous 1 year of customer service experience in a fast paced, high-volume setting preferred.
6. Theatrical improvisation, juggling, ability to play a musical instrument, tumbling, clowning, singing, mascot experience, mime, dance, or up-close magic experience preferred.
7. Effective leadership skills.
8. Effective problem analysis and resolution
9. Superior verbal and written communication skills
10. Ability to be flexible and shift priorities to meet departmental

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

Thephysicaldemandsandworkenvironmentdescribedherearerepresentativeofthosethatmustbemetbyan employee to successfullyperformtheessentialfunctions of this job. Reasonable accommodations maybe made toenableindividualswithdisabilitiestoperformtheessentialfunctions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or The employee must have good hand/eye coordination and balance.
• The employee must be able to lift 25 pounds over head and lift or move up to 50 pounds.
• Mascot costumes can weigh between 15-30 pounds or more and the mascot head is often large and can be heavy. The performer must be able to bear this weight, particularly in the head, neck, shoulders, and back, for long periods.
• Mascot costumes are close fitting with many layers. This will cause the temperature in the costume to be warmer than the performance environment.  It also can limit visibility, hearing, and movement.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

Commitment:
I commit to the Georgia Aquarium, Inc. the following:

Mission: Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide.

Vision: To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.

Values: Integrity, Innovation, Leadership, Teamwork, Respect, Excellence, Appreciation & Inclusion