Seasonal Grounds and Maintenance Staff

Lincoln Park Zoological Society • Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Seasonal Grounds and Maintenance Staff perform routine grounds, custodial, cleaning, maintenance, and event-support duties to help maintain the cleanliness and appearance of Lincoln Park Zoo and provide an exceptional guest experience. The role requires a strong focus on safety while operating a variety of hand tools and powered equipment, and completing tasks assigned by management. Work areas may include restrooms, restaurants, offices, laboratories, animal buildings, meeting spaces, zoo grounds, and parking lots.

Duties include cleaning and maintaining buildings, floors, furnishings, equipment, grounds, and event spaces; handling waste and supplies; reporting repairs and hazards; supporting snow and leaf removal; helping with event setup and teardown; and delivering or storing items across the grounds. The employee interacts with guests and other zoo departments, assists vendors and coworkers as needed, and may cover other duties to support Facilities operations. The posted schedule lists an AM shift of 6 a.m.–10 a.m. and a PM shift of 3 p.m.–7 p.m. The hourly rate is $17.05.

Requirements

• High school diploma, or a comparable combination of education, experience, or training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Experience completing similar tasks at another institution of similar size and reputation.
• Knowledge of the zoo’s mission and philosophy.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills; ability to work with diverse groups tactfully and maturely and represent the Society professionally.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergencies and respond appropriately.
• Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, coworkers, volunteers, zoo visitors, and the general public.
• Ability to work cooperatively and promptly as part of a team.
• Ability to work on ladders and scaffolding and to sweep, rake, and clean flat roofs.
• Ability to replace soap dispensers, toilet paper holders, and batteries in devices.
• Ability to traverse zoo grounds to respond to emergencies.
• Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force regularly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects; regularly stand, walk, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• Ability to safely operate specialized equipment used to move and lift supplies, including hand trucks and electric carts.
• Ability to work safely near potentially dangerous animals and equipment and manage predictable, controllable hazards associated with wild animals and zoonotic diseases.
• Availability for assigned special events outside the regular schedule, including evenings, weekends, or holidays.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license and maintenance of a good driving record.
• Non-infectious TB status.

Responsibilities

• Perform custodial cleaning, including sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, scrubbing, dusting, waste collection, rug cleaning, paper picking, and laundering in assigned zoo areas.
• Operate and maintain cleaning equipment and hand tools, and report needed repairs to a lead or supervisor.
• Observe premises and report repairs, safety hazards, or conditions requiring outside vendor services.
• Gather, transport, and dispose of waste and recycling, including loading and unloading dumpsters at the compactor.
• Perform general and heavy cleaning with approved chemicals, properly handle biohazardous waste, and wear appropriate PPE.
• Follow building opening and closing procedures and ensure buildings are secured before and after the shift.
• Scrub, strip, sanitize, wax, and buff floors using powered machines; polish furniture, metalwork, and chrome; and shampoo carpets and floor mats.
• Maintain cleaning and toiletry supply inventory and communicate supply needs to a lead or supervisor.
• Wash walls, ceilings, woodwork, windows, mirrors, and fixtures using step and folding ladders.
• Clean zoo grounds and parking lots of litter, weeds, glass, and other debris.
• Load and unload supplies and move heavy furniture and equipment using dollies, handcarts, or powered equipment.
• Replace toilet paper, paper towels, and soap, and perform basic maintenance on dispensers.
• Perform specialty cleaning projects throughout the zoo.
• Assist with snow and leaf removal using shovels, rakes, salt spreaders, and other equipment.
• Set up tents, structures, signage, staging, tables, and chairs for events and other activities; perform related breakdown and storage.
• Support event setups by clearing spaces, transporting and storing designated audio-visual equipment, and hanging signage or decorations.
• Assist with installing and removing landscape stakes and temporary fencing or barricades.
• Clean or launder event-related equipment and supplies as needed.
• Assist vendors and other departments with load-in, setup, event execution, and teardown for special events, programs, and promotions.
• Drive zoo-related equipment for events and daily activities, deliver items, and organize and store items across the grounds.
• Serve as a liaison to other zoo departments, promote good public relations, and interact with guests and the general public.
• Perform duties of other staff as needed to facilitate Facilities operations during absences.
• Learn to safely operate golf carts and perform other related work as assigned.

Benefits

• Free admission to many other Chicago cultural institutions.
• Free on-site parking anytime, with access to Lincoln Park, Lakeshore Trail, and North Avenue Beach.
• Discounts on event tickets, attractions, dining, and retail at the zoo; free admission to select events.
• Quarterly staff mingle events and LPZooU training and educational sessions about the zoo, wildlife, ecology, and related subjects.
• Company contribution to a Health Savings Account for Medical PPO participants.
• Working environment with green spaces and regularly available visits with wildlife.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Education Level: High school or GED