Job Description

Join the PRIDE!

At the Brookfield Zoo Chicago, we are firmly dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of avian populations. Our innovative conservation and research initiatives significantly enhance avian care. Our objectives extend beyond basic avian care; we strive to cultivate a deep appreciation for bird species while implementing meaningful change for birds in managed environments and their natural habitats.

We are committed to establishing ourselves as a recognized industry leader and advancing the future of avian care. Our emphasis on mentorship and staff development is designed to nurture the next generation of leaders in the zoological community, thereby ensuring the continuous progress of our vision, mission, and goals.

This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) 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.

This is a union full-time hourly position, grade U650 with a pay rate of $27.17/hour.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions of the position.
• *Prepare and distribute food as directed.
• *Observe assigned animals closely, routinely, and objectively report to supervisor on their behavior, health, and welfare. Keep accurate animal records as assigned.
• *Observe condition of assigned area(s), animal enclosures, and equipment. Monitor and clean public space(s), plants, and interpretives as assigned. Report maintenance needs.
• *Perform minor maintenance tasks as assigned.
• *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.
• *Monitor guests to insure animal and human safety and protection of BZC property.
• *Communicate with and assist guests. Take initiative to facilitate guests’ appreciation of animals and enjoyment of their visit.
• *Demonstrate knowledge of and implement BZC-wide and area emergency procedures as directed.
• Other related duties as assigned.

* Denotes Essential Job Function(s)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's degree in relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training and/or experience required. High school graduate or GED equivalent required.
• Animal care facility, farm, kennel, or equivalent animal experience required.
• Incumbent must possess an understanding of practical principles of animal behavior and the ability to work with live animals safely.
• Good interpersonal skills. The ability to interact in a courteous and professional manner.
• Ability to deal with emergencies calmly and efficiently.
• Ability to learn and integrate information, knowledge, and direction quickly.
• Good decision-making skills. Must be alert and make sound independent judgments.
• Ability to perceive and act upon relevant changes in animal behaviors and conditions.
• Incumbent must demonstrate the ability to accurately perform job duties.
• Must be reliable.
• Ability to read, write, and speak the English language at a professional working proficiency.
• Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
• Valid driver’s license required at time of hire. Illinois residents must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license or obtain one within 90 days of hire. Valid out-of-state driver’s license is required for out-of-state residents.

DESIRABLE/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Knowledge of natural history, zoology, or animal husbandry preferred.
• Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 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. This is a full-time position with rotating shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings. Assistant Animal Care Specialist is a one-year probationary position to attain Animal Care Specialist status. Animal Care Specialist positions are frequently subjected to potential hazards that include direct contact with or close proximity to live animals. Animal Care Specialist positions are physically demanding, and employees may be subjected to a variety of physical demands and environmental factors and exposures. Incumbents 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.

Assistant Animal Care Specialists are expected to acquire general knowledge about BZC, gain an understanding of BZC’s mission, and become familiar with and follow BZC policies and procedures. Incumbent is expected to develop proficiency in routines of assigned areas and specialized procedures.

◦ Responsibility for Society Property: Incumbent is responsible for the care and proper use of equipment and property.
◦ Responsibility for Safety of Others: Incumbent is responsible for the safety of guests, animals, employees, interns, volunteers, etc., as instructed. Must be alert to hazards and potential hazards and take action to remedy or report these as appropriate.
◦ Contacts: Primary contacts include BZC staff, professional associates, volunteers, docents, interns, and guests.
◦ Other Qualifications and Characteristics: Incumbent must possess a genuine interest in animals and their welfare. Must work cooperatively and follow appropriate communication channels. Must possess ability to adjust quickly to changes and represent BZC in a professional manner at all times.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note that portions of our recruitment and selection process may involve the support of AI tools to help ensure efficiency and consistency.

If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the Brookfield Zoo Chicago Career Center to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile. Please visit our website at https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/careers and use the Advanced Search feature to look for requisition number 323.

This is a union full-time hourly position, grade U650 with a pay rate of $27.17/hour.

Benefits Summary
We are pleased that you are considering joining our team at Brookfield Zoo Chicago (BZC). Below is a summary of the benefits we offer.
Union Full-Time Employees
Time Away from Work:
Vacation: Vacation time is accrued on a per-payroll basis based on an employment anniversary year starting on the date of hire. Unused vacation time does not carry over from one calendar year to the next.
Years of Service Vacation
Less than 1 year of service Not eligible to schedule or take vacation time with pay
At least 1 year of continuous service -5 years 2 weeks (80 hours)

Personal Convenience Days: Union employees receive three (3) personal days per year which can be used for any purpose. Personal days are pro-rated for the first year of employment. Personal days must be used by the end of each calendar year.

Sick Leave: Sick leave accrues at a rate of 10 days per year (accumulated at a rate of 0.833 days per month worked). Any employee who does not use any sick time during the calendar year shall be credited with the accrual of twelve sick days during that year. Accumulation of sick leave is unlimited.

Holidays: Union employees are eligible for ten paid holidays per year.

Employee Benefits: Coverage begins on the date of hire for Retirement Savings, Employer-Paid Income Protection, and Voluntary Benefits.
Medical Insurance: Brookfield Zoo Chicago pays 100% of the cost of benefits for bargaining unit employees. There is no cost to the employee. Medical insurance is provided through the Teamsters Union. One plan is available. A waiver credit is provided for employees who waive enrollment in medical insurance. Coverage begins following a 90-day waiting period. Coverage continues for 90 days after the employee’s date of separation. Employees can also cover their spouse and child(ren) under age 27.
Retirement Savings: Eligible employees are automatically enrolled at 6% on a pre-tax basis as soon as administratively feasible following date of hire. Employee Pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax contributions available. First of the quarter following one year of service, eligible employees receive regular matching contributions of up to 3%. The employer match for full-time employees is immediately vested.

Employer-Paid Income Protection: Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in Short-Term Disability benefits and Basic Term Life insurance through the Teamsters Union and Long-Term disability benefits through Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

Voluntary Benefits:
- Group Accident Insurance
- Group Critical Illness Insurance
- Identity Theft Protection

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note that portions of our recruitment and selection process may involve the support of AI tools to help ensure efficiency and consistency.