Carnivores/Small Mammals - Animal Care Specialist

Brookfield Zoo Chicago•Brookfield, IL

7d•$30 - $30

About The Position

Join the PRIDE! Join the Carnivore/Small Mammal Department at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, where you’ll work with a diverse collection of species across several habitats. Our Australia section includes short-beaked echidnas, western grey kangaroos, brush-tailed bettongs, emus, Cape Barren geese, Rodrigues fruit bats, and Bennett’s wallabies; our Desert features meerkats, Cape porcupines, Pallas’s cats, bat-eared foxes, genets, sand cats, and mole-rats; and our Forest includes Prevost’s squirrels, binturongs, ring-tailed lemurs, and clouded leopards. This is a union full-time hourly position, grade U640 with a pay rate of $29.88/hour The Animal Care Specialist contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by, under direction of area supervisors, providing general care for animals and performing related work of maintaining buildings, grounds, and interpretives in assigned area. Inform, assist, and direct visitors as necessary. Perform routine duties with minimal supervision and new duties with detailed direction. Primary job duties and responsibilities: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training and/or experience required. High school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED.) required.
Successful completion of Assistant Animal Care Specialist (“ACS”) probationary period or equivalent combination of training and/or experience in a zoo or aquarium required.
Incumbent must possess an understanding of practical principles of animal behavior and the ability to work with live animals safely.
Knowledge of natural history, zoology, and general animal behavior and husbandry required.
Solid interpersonal skills required.
Capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently.
Ability to learn and integrate information, knowledge, and direction quickly, and complete tasks as needed.
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.
Ability to accurately and proficiently perform assigned routines and specialized procedures as directed. Must possess a record of consistency and accuracy in performing job duties.
Ability to take initiative in identifying and solving problems, recommending ideas and viable suggestions to improve operations.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Ability to train, educate, and direct the basic work of seasonal employees and interns.
Must be reliable.
Computer proficiency with Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word), Microsoft 365, ZIMS or similar required.
Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
Ability to read, write and speak the English language at a professional working proficiency.
Valid driver’s license required at time of hire.

Nice To Haves

Additional qualifications and experience may be required depending upon the specific animals and work area the incumbent will be working.
Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

Responsibilities

Order, prepare, and distribute food as directed.
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. 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 as assigned.
Study specific reference materials and other zoological and husbandry texts as assigned.
Perform area routines proficiently. Continue developing proficiency in specialized procedures.
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.
Train and direct interns, seasonals, ACS aides, and volunteers as assigned.
Other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

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.
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.
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.
- Group Accident Insurance
- Group Critical Illness Insurance
- Identity Theft Protection