Facility

Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo

Closing Date

Description

The Chicago Zoological Society, which operates the Brookfield Zoo, is currently soliciting on-line applications from qualified and experienced animal care professionals for placement on a hiring list for temporary positions. The list will be used to select qualified candidates for temporary full-time zookeeper positions which arise due to employee absences, leaves, and position vacancies. These temporary assignments may range from several days or weeks to several months, or more, depending on the particular assignment. Placement on the temporary keeper hiring list does not guarantee employment.

Preferred animal experience: Prior experience with marine mammals (bottle nose dolphins, sea lions, harbor seal, and gray seal) preferred. Must be SCUBA certified.

Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo has over 25 years of accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is Humane Certified by the Humane Association. We’ve won top awards for Diversity; Significant Achievement in Education and Volunteer Engagement; Exhibit Design; International Conservation; and we currently hold numerous SSPs.

The dolphin program at Chicago Zoological Society is also accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums (AMMPA), which is an international association representing marine life parks, aquariums, zoos, research facilities, and professional organizations dedicated to the highest standards of care for marine mammals and to their conservation in the wild through public education, scientific study, and wildlife presentations. Our trainer development program is accredited through the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA) as well. Our Seven Seas dolphinarium includes our hand-raised bottlenose dolphin, Magic, along with Merlin. In our pinniped area, we house our California sea lions, including youngsters Lucy and Taylor (both born in June 2017), Harbor seals, and Gray seals.

Qualified individuals selected for consideration will be placed on the list for a period of up to six (6) months and may be contacted for temporary positions as they become available during that time. Individuals wishing to be considered for a longer period of time must reapply to be considered.

Placement on the list will be based on the Society’s assessment of each candidate’s skills, experience, ability, training, availability and other job-related criteria. Consideration for individual temporary openings will be based on the candidate’s suitability for the specific opening involved.

Education and Pre-requisites

Temporary zookeepers generally must be available to begin within 14 calendar days or less of receiving notice and must be able to work rotating schedules, which includes weekends and holidays. A Bachelor’s Degree in zoology, animal science, or other related biological field is preferred, a practical understanding of the principles of animal behavior, good interpersonal, communication and decision making skills, and a valid driver’s license. Prior experience as a zookeeper or in an animal care facility, farm, kennel or other relevant experience is required. 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 experience working with those animals will be preferred.

All candidates selected for the Temporary Keeper Hiring List must undergo a complete background and professional reference check, and those who are hired will be required to pass a post-offer physical exam.

Compensation and benefits

The current pay rate for these union positions is $22.57/hour. Fringe benefits include only 401k plan and paid time off. Temporary full-time Keepers receive valuable hands-on zoo keeping experience, and they may apply and be considered for openings for regular, full-time zookeeper positions as they become available.

Application instructions

In order to be considered, submit your on-line application for this opportunity and each animal area of interest no later than September 30, 2019. Please visit the CZS Career Center www.czs.org/careers to obtain more details about the Temporary Keeper Hiring List opportunities and to apply by submitting your profile.

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/czs/careers. Please look for requisition 1926BR.