Facility
Chicago Zoological Society / Brookfield Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Since the opening of Brookfield Zoo in 1934, the Society has had 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. In building its legacy of animal care and compassion, the Society has launched two new centers: the Center for Conservation Leadership and the Center for the Science of Animal Welfare (CSAW). These innovative learning and research hubs will integrate a wide variety of disciplines, changing the way animal conservation issues are considered and advancing the science of “animal-directed” care around the world.
As one of the top zoos with over 450 species of animals, Zookeepers receive valuable hands-on zookeeping experience while providing high-quality care for the welfare of the collection. You will demonstrate your practical understanding of animal behavior, ability to work with live animals safely, and attention to details while closely observing assigned animals, perceiving and acting upon any relevant changes in animal behaviors and conditions, carefully observing the condition of and cleaning assigned areas and animal enclosures, and maintaining animal record documentation as assigned. Your friendly demeanor, good interpersonal skills and outstanding communication skills will contribute to creating an extraordinary guest experience as Zookeepers may work in public areas and may interact with guests. Your ability to performing assigned routines and specialized procedures with consistency and accuracy will be utilized as you train, educate and direct the basic work of seasonal zookeepers and interns.
Preferred animal experience: This position is working with aquatics. Prior experience working with marine and freshwater fish, corals, and other invertebrates in a captive setting is preferred, as is experience building and maintaining small aquatic systems, along with a good understanding of water quality parameters. Interest in and experience with reptiles/amphibians in a captive setting is also preferred.
CZS has nearly tripled our reptile and aquatics areas in size in the last five years and opportunity remains for increasing our collection size and focus as programs grow and continue to develop. Our exhibits range from 10 gallon invertebrate exhibits to a 50,000 gallon pacific coast exhibit, and we are expanding with smaller exhibits ranging from 10 to 800 gallons. Existing space is available to continue to expand off-exhibit breeding programs as well, including our sea horse and coral collections which, through controlling growth, we are now supplying to other institutions.
We are looking for a dynamic person who is ready for the challenge that expansion brings, a great team player, and someone excited and motivated for learning and developing. This Aquatics Zookeeper contributes to the success of the Chicago Zoological Society, under direction of area supervisors, by providing general care for animals and performing related work of maintaining buildings, grounds, and interpretives in assigned area. As a zookeeper, you will inform, assist, and direct visitors as necessary.
As a Zookeeper in Herpetology and Aquatics, you will, under close supervision, provide general care for animals and performs related work of maintaining buildings, grounds, and interpretives in assigned area. As a Zookeeper, you will also inform, assist, and direct guests as necessary.
The successful candidate will be expected to prepare and distribute food as directed; observe assigned animals closely, routinely, and objectively and report to supervisor on their behavior, health, and welfare; and keep animal records as assigned. Additionally, the aquatics zookeeper will be expected to observe condition of assigned area(s), animal enclosures, and equipment; monitor and clean public space(s), plants, and interpretives as assigned; report maintenance needs and perform minor maintenance tasks as assigned; clean animal enclosures, pools, and service areas. Also expected will be to study specific reference materials about animals in assigned area and 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 Society property; communicate with and assist guests; take initiative to facilitate guests’ appreciation of animals and enjoyment of their visit; demonstrate knowledge of and implement Society-wide and area emergency procedures as directed; and other related duties as assigned.
Education and Pre-requisites
The requirements for this position include a Bachelor’s degree in relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training and/or experience; 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. Also required: knowledge of natural history, zoology, or animal husbandry preferred; must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently; must learn and integrate information, knowledge, and direction quickly; and must have the ability to perceive and act upon relevant changes in animal behaviors and conditions.
Incumbent must have or acquire general knowledge about the Society, gain an understanding of the Society’s mission, and become familiar with and follow Society policies and procedures; must develop proficiency in routines of assigned areas and specialized procedures as directed; and demonstrate the ability to accurately perform job duties.
This zookeeper must be reliable, have good interpersonal and decision-making skills, the ability to interact in a courteous and professional manner, and must be alert and make sound independent judgments. A valid driver’s license is required for Illinois residents within 90 days of hire; valid out-of-state license required for out-of-state residents. Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
Spanish fluency is a plus, but is not required.
This is a full-time position with rotating shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings; and SCUBA Certification is required within one year of hire.
Valid driver’s license required for Illinois residents within 90 days of hire; valid out-of-state license required for out-of-state residents. Spanish fluency is a plus, but not required. This is a full-time position with rotating shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings.
Compensation and benefits
Zookeeper: $21.70/hour per union contract
Application instructions
The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Affirmative Action Employer – Minorities / Women / Veterans / Disabled.
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 1233BR.