Carpenters - Craftsworker

Brookfield Zoo Chicago•Brookfield, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Craftsworker Carpenter performs skilled and semi-skilled craftsworker duties throughout Brookfield Zoo Chicago under direct guidance. The role helps maintain a safe, functional, and well-maintained environment for guests, staff, and the animal collection, while supporting the zoo’s mission, operating goals, and guest experience. Work includes routine maintenance and repairs, preventive maintenance, special repairs, capital construction, special events, emergency and safety work, and other assigned projects. Projects may include repairing roofs, fences, doors, windows, and ADA access systems; building safety barriers and exhibit elements; restoring wood structures; and maintaining specialized enclosure equipment. The work calls for craftsmanship, mathematical aptitude, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving. The position collaborates with managers, peers, clients, and other concerned parties; performs inspections and minor repairs; communicates material and resource needs; and ensures work meets applicable codes, standards, specifications, and quality expectations while minimizing disruption to guests and animals. It also includes duties related to shop and equipment maintenance, safety, inventory and purchasing, facility surveys, utility locations, emergency response, and animal welfare. This is a full-time, hourly, union position, grade U440, paying $34.00 per hour.

Requirements

High school diploma or educational equivalent, such as a GED.
Graduate of an accredited Carpenter apprenticeship program and two years of journeyman-level experience, or an associate degree related to the field or four years of equivalent experience.
At least two years of construction experience in related fields.
Professional working proficiency in English.
Ability to work in a team-oriented manner, with good communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to read, write, and perform required mathematics commensurate with the field of responsibility.
Familiarity with codes related to the field and ability to perform tasks related to the field.
Knowledge and experience in scheduling, estimating routine duties, purchasing, and basic project management.
Cultural competency and experience or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
Valid driver’s license at hire. Illinois residents must have a valid Illinois driver’s license or obtain one within 90 days of hire; out-of-state residents must have a valid license from their state.

Nice To Haves

Experience in custom woodworking, set design, or specialty fabrication.
Multilingual ability; Spanish fluency is a plus.

Responsibilities

Perform skilled crafts duties throughout the park, following applicable codes, standards, specifications, program goals, and quality standards.
Participate in routine maintenance and repair projects, including preventive maintenance, special repairs, capital construction, special events, and emergency or safety work.
Inspect exhibits and facilities as assigned, identify needed repairs, and communicate client requests and repair or improvement needs to the manager or Lead Craftsworker.
Provide information about resource and material needs, support budget development, and ensure allocated resources are properly used.
Evaluate schedules, communicate relevant project information to affected parties, and minimize disruption to guests and the animal collection.
Complete daily labor allocation sheets with guidance and participate in assigned meetings and overhead operating program duties.
Perform craftsworker duties for special events and communicate relevant information to managers and other concerned parties.
Routinely inspect functional, structural, and aesthetic systems in exhibits and facilities and perform assigned minor repairs and maintenance.
Become familiar with exhibit and facility operating standards and perform work to specified quality standards.
Carry out standard operating procedures related to equipment and shop maintenance, safety, inventory and purchasing, facility surveys, and utility locations.
Participate in the section’s emergency response and animal welfare program as assigned.
Perform other related duties as assigned.