Facility

Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo

Closing Date

Description

Brookfield Zoo opened in 1934 and has continued to have an international reputation for taking a cutting-edge role in animal care and conservation of the natural world. Among its historical firsts are indoor multispecies exhibits, zoo nutrition residencies, methods for animal husbandry, and medical care that includes successful brain surgery for a gorilla. Explore Tropic World and meet intelligent primates from three continents. Your first stop is South America where you will meet black-handed spider monkeys, callimico, cotton-top tamarins, and more. Next, venture in Asia and get to know orangutans and white-cheeked gibbons. (You may also catch a glimpse of the Asian small-clawed otters!) Finally, journey through the tropical forest of Africa and encounter colobus monkey or black crested mangabey. Take a few more steps into the next area, which includes a dynamic habitat of African monkeys, including breeding species, and has experience managing a multi-generational gorilla group. Our primate keepers have an understanding of primate populations in their native ranges and in managed programs, participate in training plans and initiatives, and use Microsoft Office and ZIMS.

The Lead Keeper, Primates contributes to the success of the Chicago Zoological Society by providing experienced care for animals and performing related work of maintaining buildings, grounds, and interpretives in assigned area, under the direction of area managers or supervisors. Perform a wide variety of departmental supervisory activities, including supervising and instructing Keepers in assigned area and to support innovations in Conservation Leadership and Animal Welfare. Relieve other Lead Keepers as directed. Perform all routine duties independently and new duties with minimal direction.

The successful candidate will be expected to: Perform in a proactive leadership role and communicate regularly with area supervisors/managers regarding animal management, facility maintenance, and staff supervision and development. Assist in departmental hiring, scheduling, and work assignments, and the development of departmental goals and plans. Establish work priorities for the department. Ensure compliance with all Society policies and procedures Train and direct work of interns, seasonal employees, and full-time keeper staff as assigned. Routinely monitor and review the work performance of keeper staff in assigned area, and ensure completion of tasks in a timely and effective fashion. Prepare and conduct performance appraisals as assigned. Handle personnel situations in a timely, objective, and consistent manner and in accordance with Society policies and the union contract. Verify employee work schedules. Provide written reports as assigned.

Observe assigned animals closely and objectively. Apply knowledge and prior experiences to affect or implement change where appropriate. Maintain and utilize animal records. Maintain detailed and current knowledge of natural history, husbandry, and captive management of species and individuals in assigned areas. Responsible for current animal and equipment inventory. Observe condition of assigned area(s), animal enclosures, and equipment. Monitor and clean public space(s), plants, and interpretives as required. Report maintenance needs as appropriate, and perform minor maintenance tasks. Maintain proficiency in area routines and specialized procedures. Order, prepare, and distribute food to animal areas as required. Clean animal enclosures, pools, and service areas as required. Communicate with and assist guests. Take initiative to facilitate guests’ appreciation of animals and enjoyment of their visit. Monitor guests to ensure animal and human safety and protection of Society property. Demonstrate knowledge of and implement Society-wide and area emergency procedures as directed.

Education and Pre-requisites

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training and experience required. Minimum 4 years Keeper experience or equivalent required. Must possess a track record of exemplary performance as a supervisory keeper or have equivalent, relevant experience. Strong supervisory skills. Demonstrated ability to promote good morale and productivity in the workplace. Proven ability to train and direct the work of interns, seasonal employees, and full-time keeper staff. Demonstrated ability to effectively mediate routine personnel issues/conflicts between staff. Must be able to serve in a leadership role in directing the management and operations within assigned area, and ensure short-term goals are developed and achieved. Solicit input on improving operations and animal management procedures. Demonstrated capacity to guide the professional development of co-workers. Must be able to maintain confidentiality with regard to personnel and other privileged matters.

Diverse experience caring for and exhibiting a wide variety of primates in a zoo setting is preferred; Ape experience highly desirable. Detailed and current knowledge of natural history, principles of animal behavior and husbandry required. Must be able to work with live animals safely. Additional qualifications and experience may be preferred or required depending upon the specific animals and work area where the keeper will be working. Generally, previous work experience with assigned taxa will be preferred.

Must be able to maintain good working relationships with staff at all levels, internal and external to Animal Programs. Must be able to communicate effectively and promptly with co-workers/managers/guests following appropriate communication channels. Good communication and interpersonal skills. The ability to interact in a courteous and professional manner. Must be knowledgeable in the management of captive populations including related AZA conservation programs. Must be able to work with minimal supervision. Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly/efficiently. Incumbent must demonstrate the ability to perform assigned routines and specialized procedures as directed. Must possess a proven record of consistently/accurately performing job duties. Incumbent must demonstrate proficiency in perceiving and acting upon relevant changes in animal behaviors and conditions.

Must be proficient in learning and integrating information, knowledge, and direction quickly, and completing tasks as needed. Good time management, decision-making, and problem-solving skills; ability to integrate and apply knowledge/prior experiences to affect/implement changes and make sound independent judgments where appropriate. Must be able to identify problems and utilize appropriate information to develop solutions. Must possess a track record of demonstrating initiative in analyzing and solving problems, and recommending ideas/viable suggestions to improve operations. Demonstrated record of making recommendations/suggestions that are well thought-out and researched. Must demonstrate flexibility, creativity, and responsibility in use of time. Must be reliable. Ability and willingness to learn Society conservation programs as they apply to assigned areas.

Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience. Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus. Basic computer literacy required, Microsoft Office suite preferred. Valid driver’s license required. Illinois residents must possess a valid Illinois license within 90 days of hire. Valid out-of-state license required for out-of-state residents.

Compensation and benefits

Not specified.

Application instructions

The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the CZS Career Center to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile. Please visit our website at www.czs.org/careers. Please look for requisition number 1559BR.