Grounds - Groundskeeper

Brookfield Zoo Chicago•Brookfield, IL

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Groundskeeper maintains Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s public outdoor spaces across 235 acres, including parking lots, walkways, roadways, lawns, flower beds, trees, and shrubs. This is a fully outdoor role requiring work in varied weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, snow, and cold. The work involves walking several miles each day and regular interaction with visitors, including answering questions, giving directions, and helping guests navigate the Zoo. The position is a union, full-time hourly role classified as grade U540, paying $31.67 per hour. The anticipated schedule is 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., including at least one weekend day. The Groundskeeper performs routine and standard Grounds Department duties under minimal supervision and contributes to a safe, clean, welcoming environment for guests and staff.

Requirements

High school diploma or educational equivalent, such as a GED.
At least one year of grounds maintenance or horticulture experience.
Valid driver’s license; Illinois residents must obtain a valid Illinois license within 90 days of hire, and out-of-state residents must have a valid license from their state.
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Reliable and dependable, flexible, professional, and oriented toward customer service.
Ability to perform outdoor physical work and walk several miles during the workday.
Proficiency in the safe and correct use of hand tools such as rakes, brooms, hoes, shovels, hand pruners, saws, and loppers.
Ability to correctly and safely use small power equipment, including blowers, mowers, chainsaws, power washers, tillers, edgers, snow blowers, and weed whips.
Ability to safely use small tractors, water wagons, plows and brooms, riding mowers, and other equipment; basic operating knowledge of Bobcats and backhoes.
Familiarity with the Severe Weather Emergency plan.
Provide information and assistance to the public and work cooperatively with others toward departmental and institution-wide goals.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in horticulture or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Horticulture or landscape design experience.
Prior heavy equipment operator experience.
Class C or Class B commercial driver’s license.
Knowledge of operating and maintaining irrigation systems.
Pesticide operator’s license; onsite training may be provided.
Certified arborist license.
Spanish fluency.

Responsibilities

Perform general park duties, landscape maintenance, and horticulture according to routine operating procedures.
Maintain work records as directed; direct seasonal employees during assigned tasks and report performance to a supervisor as necessary.
Follow standard safety procedures and use required safety equipment.
Care for trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants; perform planting, watering, weeding, mulching, propagation, tilling, lawn care, pruning, fertilization, plant protection, pest control, plant selection and design, and interior tropical plant maintenance.
Perform general park duties such as waste and manure collection and disposal, recycling collection, snowplowing, construction activities, equipment maintenance and repair, irrigation system installation and maintenance, and road repairs.
Maintain assigned quadrants through cleaning, sweeping, raking, blowing, litter pickup, safety inspections, and related duties.
Repair sentinels, picnic tables, seating benches, and playground equipment; maintain drainage systems and animal yard surfaces; remove leaves, snow, and ice; power-wash pavement; maintain pavers; perform minor road cold patching and path mulching.
Assist and participate constructively in departmental activities, including meetings and irregular or emergency assignments.
Inspect assigned areas daily and report safety issues, needed repairs, and other problems to a supervisor as necessary.
Interact with and assist the public, provide information about park schedules and activities, and deliver positive internal and external customer service.
Keep work areas and personal presentation safe, clean, professional, and orderly; incorporate the Zoo’s mission, vision, and values into daily work.
Perform other related duties as required.