Marketing Events - Operations Assistant (Seasonal)

Brookfield Zoo Chicago•Brookfield, IL

13d•$19•Onsite

About The Position

This position contributes to the success Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by creating and providing an extraordinary guest experience, driving attendance through supporting engaging and impactful onsite, special events, experiences, and promotions. and helping to grow and diversify the Zoo’s audience base. This is a seasonal non-union hourly position, grade S008 with a pay rate of $18.60 per hour. For our Benefits Summary Information, follow this link to our Benefits Table or copy and paste the following in your internet browser 5dfac8db-5b35-45d1-8e3c-b37c698b6d43.pdf (please refer to the non-union, seasonal employee section) and/or refer to the benefit details provided below after the job description information. This seasonal position requires the incumbent to work events inside and outside of the Zoo during a variety of hours. Due to the nature of these events, the job requires weekend work, including Thursday through Sunday evenings. Reliable attendance is critical. This is a great opportunity for someone with or looking to gain experience in Special Events Marketing or Promotions. Work schedule is sporadic throughout the year, based on scheduled events and operational needs. Upcoming events for 2026 and anticipated scheduling needs: Glow Wild lantern festival: Thursdays – Sundays; March 19 - May 10; 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. Dino Run: Saturday, May 30; 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Roaring Nights: dates TBD; 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Zoo Uncorked: Saturday, August 22; 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Boo! At the Zoo: Saturdays & Sundays, October 3 – 25; 7:00/8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tree Trim: Saturday & Sunday, November 7 & 8; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Zoo Run: date TBD; 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Reindeer Run: Saturday, November 14; 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Requirements

Excellent customer service skills required.
Strong verbal communication skills required.
Must be able to work in a team and be flexible.
Must be animated and outgoing.
Strong organizational and project management skills required.
Reliable attendance required.
Must work at least 50% of scheduled events.
Ability to interact with public and maintain a positive image at all times required.
Cultural competency;experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
A valid driver’s license is required on date of hire. If an Illinois resident, must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license at the time of hire or must obtain one within 90 days of hire. A valid out-of-state driver’s license is required at time of hire if the employee is an out-of-state resident.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED.) preferred.
A desire to work in events, marketing and theater.
Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

Responsibilities

Support Marketing’s onsite public events. This includes set up, transportation and take down of supplies and equipment that pertain to each event. Events range from Boo! at the Zoo to 21+ events and beyond.
Assist in the execution of all event-day activities for Marketing special events, including but not limited to: following event timelines and policies; supporting pre-event setup and managing day-of-event logistics; helping ensure the smooth operation of the event by providing on-the-ground support and coordination. This includes assisting with event setup and teardown, handling signage, décor, and equipment, and transporting and setting up supplies across various outdoor locations.
Welcome and assist guests during events, serving as a primary point of contact for participants, staff, and vendors, while ensuring a clean and branded presence throughout.
Dress in costume and be animated as a Zoo character, while maintaining costume image. Greet Zoo guests and pose for pictures upon request.
Monitor event flow, troubleshoot issues in real time, and collaborate with staff, volunteers, and vendors to ensure seamless event execution.
Distribute event materials (e.g., wristbands, programs, or giveaways) and assist with cleanup, packing materials, and restoring event areas.
Assist animal care teams during live demonstrations by managing crowd flow and ensuring safe viewing areas.
Other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Mental Health: Support, counseling, and resources for life issues at no cost to you. Eligible employees and their immediate family have access to Perspectives, a dynamic Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) which provides 24/7, confidential care and resources to address work and life stressors.
Retirement Savings: A 401(k) savings plan is available for all employees. Choose either pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax contributions. First of the quarter following one year of service, eligible employees receive matching contributions of 50% of the first 6% you contribute.
Advanced Inquiry Degree Program
Brookfield Zoo Chicago has partnered with Project Dragonfly at Miami University of Ohio to bring an exciting Master’s degree program to the Chicagoland area. The Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) is an inquiry-driven learning experience, allowing participants to take classes from Miami University faculty. Enrollment is open to applicants with a bachelor's degree, regardless of academic major or profession. This program is designed for teachers and other education professionals.
BZC University
The Zoo offers a variety of training, both on-site and via virtual classes and e-learning through Brookfield Zoo Chicago University at no cost to employees, including professional development, skill-building courses, conservation topics, zoo and animal-related topics, safety, leadership development, wellness, and much more. Instructors include guest speakers, staff presenters, and outside trainers.
Tuition Reimbursement
Regular, full-time non-union employees who have at least one year of seniority are eligible to apply for reimbursement of tuition expenses to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year.
Access Credit Union
Employees are eligible immediately upon employment to participate in the credit union. The minimum balance is $5. Savings are insured up to $100,000, and savings accounts, new and used car loans, personal loans, student loans, and much more are available.
Blackhawk Work Perks
Special offers on Chicago Blackhawks games. Tickets start at $30.
Discounted Membership at Loyola Center for Fitness
Corporate discount members receive $0 enrollment and 25% off individual dues. Monthly pricing is subject to the number of people on the membership.
Discounted Day Care
Discounted day care is available through a partnership with KinderCare Education to provide discounted childcare benefits for employees. Covered brands include KinderCare® Learning Centers, Children’s Creative Learning Center, Inc. (CCLC), and Champions before and after-school care programs. Employees with children enrolled at a participating center save 10% on childcare tuition for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years available at over 100 locations throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area.
Employee Discounts
Employees may benefit from “Working Advantage,” an employee discount program, which offers a wide variety of discounts to staff.
Enterprise-Rent-A-Car
Discounts are available to staff members through Enterprise-Rent-A-Care for their personal use.
Free Flu Vaccines
Each year the Zoo offers free, on-site flu vaccinations to all full-time and regular part-time employees.
Free Admission and Parking
Free admission and parking privileges are provided to Non-Union Full-Time Employees and Union Full-Time Employees only and their immediate family members of BZC employees who have completed the required paperwork.
Free Admission to Other Cultural Institutions
The Zoo has reciprocal agreements with other major Chicagoland cultural institutions which allow employees and certain guests to receive free admission and/or parking pursuant to BZC’s policy.
Free Notary Public Service
Several staff are commissioned Notary Publics and provide free notary services to BZC staff.
Freebie Table
Consistent with our conservation ethic, we have a “Freebie” table where staff can place unused/unwanted items that still have value for other staff members to claim. This has been a great way to recycle/upcycle by making unused items available to others.
Little Free Library: Take a Book. Share a Book.
The Zoo has a “Little Free Library” book exchange. If an employee sees a book they would like to read, they can take it, or they may donate a book they have finished. When they are done, they can return it to the Little Free Library or leave it at another Little Free Library location for others to enjoy.
Zoo Day Camp Discount
Zoo staff who register their child(ren) for Summer Camp at Brookfield Zoo Chicago receive a discounted price for a week of camp for each child registered. The discount is limited to immediate family members only (grandchildren included). Lunch and T-shirts are not discounted.
Zoo Discounts
Employee discounts are available on BZC gift shop and restaurant purchases, including 25 cent drinks when the Zoo-issued drink cup is used.