Compliance Coordinator Zoological Operations

Brookfield Zoo Chicago•Brookfield, IL

4d•$27 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

The Compliance Coordinator ensures Brookfield Zoo Chicago maintains continuous compliance with animal welfare regulations and accreditation standards, including the USDA Animal Welfare Act, Association of Zoos & Aquariums standards, American Humane Society Humane Certification, and Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums guidelines. The position supports IACUC operations and compliance with Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare/Public Health Service assurance requirements, and helps keep the Zoo inspection-ready. The coordinator works with animal care and programs, veterinary services, plant and facilities, life safety, and risk management to monitor compliance, coordinate inspections, maintain documentation, and promote proactive readiness and accountability. The role also administers research program processes, including protocol submissions and approvals, committee communications, meeting records, animal welfare concerns, institutional reporting, and coordination of biological sample requests for approved research projects. Work takes place across a large, multi-facility zoo campus and requires regular mobility and the ability to work around diverse animal taxa, including large carnivores and marine mammals. Schedules may include holidays, weekends, mornings, or evenings. This is a full-time, hourly, non-union position, grade 06H. The expected hiring range is $26.66 to $29.33 per hour.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Biology, Zoology, Environmental Health, Public Administration, or a related field.
At least two years of experience in zoo, aquarium, wildlife care, research compliance, laboratory animal compliance, or accreditation management.
Current, valid driver’s license and successful motor vehicle record check; the role requires safely operating motorized utility carts.
Strong working knowledge of animal welfare legislation, accreditation standards, and inspection protocols.
Strong organizational and documentation skills, including the ability to maintain accurate, complete, detailed, audit-ready records.
Ability to coordinate prompt, accurate responses to unannounced regulatory audits and site visits while minimizing operational disruption and mitigating risk.
Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across departments and deliver effective training.
Problem-solving, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action-plan management skills.
Ability to handle highly confidential information and adhere to ethical standards in animal care and welfare.
Ability to work in indoor and outdoor animal environments around diverse species.
Proficiency with digital recordkeeping systems and computer applications such as Microsoft 365 or similar.
Working professional proficiency in English.
Cultural competency and experience or ability to work effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with rapidly shifting priorities and regularly travel on foot across Zoo grounds.
Ability to bend, stoop, and climb to conduct audits and inspections, and walk long distances across Zoo grounds.
Comfort working around all animal taxa, including large carnivores and marine mammals.
May be required to take and pass a physical examination, which may include vaccinations, blood tests, hearing tests, or other job-related or legally required medical testing or procedures.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with USDA Animal Welfare Act regulations and/or AZA accreditation processes.
Multilingual ability; Spanish fluency is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as a subject-matter expert on USDA Animal Welfare Act regulations, AZA standards, Humane Certification criteria, and AMMPA guidelines; track regulatory updates and communicate their implications.
Maintain compliance calendars and ensure deadlines, reports, renewals, and inspections are completed.
Coordinate and lead preparation for scheduled and unscheduled regulatory and IACUC inspections.
Conduct routine internal inspections of animal areas, behind-the-scenes spaces, and public habitats.
Maintain organized, audit-ready documentation, including training records, daily logs, environmental monitoring, facility maintenance reports, veterinary documentation, and corrective actions.
Develop and oversee standardized documentation-retention processes, including digital records systems.
Track and close corrective actions arising from inspections, audits, and internal assessments.
Collaborate with animal care leaders and supervisors, veterinary staff, nutrition, facilities, and safety teams to embed compliance into daily operations.
Facilitate monthly compliance review meetings with group leadership.
Support efforts to incorporate animal welfare regulations into new habitats and renovations.
Create and deliver compliance training for animal care and operations staff, including onboarding modules for new employees.
Ensure staff understand and follow requirements for documentation, sanitation, husbandry, emergency response, and animal transport.
Analyze compliance trends, identify systemic issues, and recommend improvements to animal welfare and regulatory risk management.
Lead root-cause analyses for deficiencies and non-compliance events.
Support the development and refinement of SOPs related to safety, welfare, and regulatory alignment.
Participate on the EMRT for safety and emergency response, ensuring emergency drills, documentation, and response plans meet accreditation expectations.
Track and process research protocol submissions and approvals.
Coordinate committee communications with Primary Investigators and Zoo staff.
Prepare and maintain meeting minutes and records.
Monitor and communicate animal welfare concerns or protocol-related issues to the Chair and Committee.
Support institutional reporting and documentation requirements.
Coordinate with Veterinary Technician staff to complete biological sample requests for approved research projects.