10-Apr-2024

2668BR

Regular Full Time

Job Function and Responsibilities

Hamill Family Play Zoo, an interactive play adventure filled with animals, plants, and people that engages children and families helping to develop caring attitudes towards the natural world. The Play Zoo lets children touch animals, paint murals, plant gardens, discover insects and so much more. It is an amazingly fun way to connect with nature.

Wild Encounters, where families can feed birds in our large aviary; visit, pet, and feed our adorable goats; visit the llamas, alpacas, reindeer, koalas, and visit wallaby walk.

These areas allow guests to get up-close views and personal experiences with some amazing animals around the zoo's grounds. Through these animals, staff can convey the importance of conservation.

At Brookfield Zoo Chicago, we are looking for dynamic, strong team players with a passion and dedication to help us lead the way in animal care, conservation and research. This is an exciting time to be part of the Brookfield Zoo and the Animal Care Program department. We take PRIDE in every aspect of our operation, have an exciting, fast-paced work environment and family friendly atmosphere. Our employees enjoy a work environment that is based on respect, openness, cooperation, and involvement.

As an Animal Care Specialist at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, you will be working with small mammals, marsupials and monotremes. This is a union position with a contracted rate of pay at $26.38/hour. This is a full-time position with rotating shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings.

This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago by, under close supervision, providing general care for animals and performs related work of maintaining buildings, grounds, and interpretives in assigned area. Inform, assist, and direct guests as necessary.

Primary duties and responsibilities:
Observe assigned animals closely, routinely, and objectively report to supervisor on their behavior, health, and welfare. Keep animal records as assigned. Observe condition of assigned area(s), animal enclosures, and equipment. Prepare and distribute food as directed. Clean animal enclosures, pools, and service areas. Study specific reference materials about animals in assigned area. Read other zoological and husbandry texts as assigned. Perform routines of assigned areas and specialized procedures as directed. Demonstrate knowledge of and implement Society-wide and area emergency procedures as directed.

Monitor guests to insure animal and human safety and protection of Society property. Communicate with and assist guests. Take initiative to facilitate guests' appreciation of animals and enjoyment of their visit. Monitor and clean public space(s), plants, and interpretives as assigned. Report maintenance needs. Perform minor maintenance tasks as assigned. Other related duties as assigned.

Position Requirements and Specifications

Position requirements:
Bachelor's degree in relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training and/or experience required.
Animal care facility, farm, kennel, or equivalent animal experience required.
Must possess an understanding of practical principles of animal behavior and the ability to work with live animals safely. Knowledge of natural history, zoology, or animal husbandry preferred.
Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently; learn and integrate information, knowledge, and direction quickly; develop proficiency in routines of assigned areas and specialized procedures as directed; and demonstrate the ability to accurately perform job duties and be reliable. Must be alert and make sound independent judgments. Ability to perceive and act upon relevant changes in animal behaviors and conditions.

Good interpersonal skills and decision-making skills required. The ability to interact in a courteous and professional manner. Must have or acquire general knowledge about the zoo, gain an understanding of our mission, and become familiar with and follow policies and procedures.

Valid driver's license required.

Additional Information

The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature.

Assistant Animal Care Specialist is a one-year probationary position to attain Animal Care Specialist status. Animal Care Specialists are frequently subjected to potential hazards that include direct contact with or close proximity to live animals. These positions are physically demanding, and employees may be subjected to a variety of physical demands and environmental factors and exposures. May be required to undergo physical examinations, including vaccinations, inoculations, blood tests, or other such testing or procedures as may be required by law or deemed reasonably necessary. This is a full-time position with rotating shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings. This job description contains the primary duties and responsibilities of the position, but in no way implies that these are the only duties the employee may ever be called upon to perform.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Location

Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Zip Code

60513

Department

Animal Care and Programs

Group

Animal Programs

Union Status

Union

Work Shift

Rotating Schedule