Section Supervisor Park Safety Seasonal

Brookfield Zoo Chicago • Brookfield, IL

14d • $17 • Onsite

About The Position

Join the PRIDE!
This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by providing services to ensure the safety of guests, staff and animals, contributing to BZC’s goals of providing extraordinary guest experiences and a sustainable future. Controls access at the gates and assists with protecting BZC assets. This is an unarmed, public safety position. No PERC card required. Previous public safety experience, strong customer service skills, ability to work calmly under pressure and use good judgement a must. Minimum age 16 and valid driver’s license required.
This is a seasonal non-union hourly position, grade GS006 with a pay rate of $17.35 per hour. For our Benefits Summary Information, refer to the benefit details provided below after the job description information.
We are seeking to fill multiple positions starting as early as March as we kick off the season with our Glow Wild lantern festival taking place March 19 to May 10, Thursday – Sunday evenings from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. We are seeking enthusiastic, friendly people, with excellent customer service skills to work various shifts averaging from 4 to 8 hours in length based on the needs of the operation, with work schedules typically starting as early as 8:00 AM and ending as late as 7:00 PM (and 10:00 PM on weekends or for special events). This is more than just a summer job as Brookfield Zoo Chicago is open 363 days a year. We especially appreciate candidates who can commit to consistent weekday availability throughout the year and at least one day per weekend. Early morning availability a plus! If assigned to the employee/service entrance, shifts may start as early as 4:00 a.m. and end as late as 11:00 p.m. or later. A majority of the work is outdoors in all weather conditions and requires a lot of walking and standing.
PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Requirements

• Three months or more relevant paid public safety experience required; involving direct contact with a diverse audience, providing directions/assistance, traffic control, crowd control, etc., or other directly relevant experience.
• Requires a conscientious, responsible, and reliable individual.
• Ability to use a hand-held radio and emergency fire extinguisher.
• Ability to work with and around trained K9s.
• Must be able to work non-standard hours including evenings, holidays, and weekends.
• Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
• Valid driver’s license required at time of hire. Illinois residents must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license or obtain one within 90 days of hire. Valid out-of-state driver’s license is required for out-of-state residents.

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED.) preferred.
• Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the daily activities of Seasonal Park Safety Officers (“PSO”), including making and shifting daily work assignments, coordinating staff workload, managing staff hours as directed by supervisor(s), training staff, and ensuring that proper procedures and policies are followed.
• Perform all duties of a seasonal PSO which include, but are not limited to: Prior to park opening, verify that employees, vendors, visitors and contractors have authorization to enter the park against the Gate List, by identification or through other means. Assist night officers and night animal care specialists with communication needs and monitor persons as they enter the South Gate after hours, keeping an accurate log of returned keys, answering phone and radio calls and giving directions and assistance to employees, guests, visitors and contractors entering the park after hours.
• Maintain familiarity with the park and its attractions to enthusiastically and accurately relay information to guests. Follow and enforce all applicable BZC policies, rules, and department procedures, including but not limited to: the “No Feeding of Animals” policy, preventing guests from harassing wildlife, ensuring the general safety of the guests and the animals, preventing guests from climbing on rockwork, over fences or barriers, and entering hazardous areas. Inform supervisor(s) of unusual situations or difficulties resolving minor problems and, in the case of major emergencies involving guests and/or animals, take appropriate action such as clearing exhibits, contacting appropriate staff in Public Safety, and following established emergency procedures.
• Provide traffic direction and parking assistance to guests. Provide general park information such as exhibit information, show times of special attractions, and directions and details about daily special activities or animal news. Assist guests with lost persons, guest transports, and lost and found. Inspect and maintain equipment, such as golf carts and portable radios under the direction of supervisor(s). Assist with park clearing and the opening and closing of certain building(s) at prescribed times.
• Observe staff and guest activities and park grounds to identify risk hazards and report immediately.
• Assist manager(s) with special assignments as needed, requested or instructed. Know and abide by the rules and regulations, procedures and requirements contained in the current PSO manual.
• Monitor and supervise crowded areas such as Great Bear Wilderness, Tropic World, and Seven Seas and perform line management as needed. Maintain good public and employee relations. Provide assistance and directions to guests and staff including effective resolution of complaints, escalating as appropriate.
• Prepare and maintain records of equipment and uniforms issued to PSOs. Assist supervisor(s) in the tallying and maintenance of department records and of PSO training.
• Relieve the dispatch desk as assigned. Promptly answer calls to the station and dispatch Police units accordingly. Maintain incident cards for responding units.
• Provides other related duties and assistance to Public Safety staff 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: Eligible employees are automatically enrolled at 6% on a pre-tax basis as soon as administratively feasible following date of hire. Employee Pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax contributions available. First of the quarter following one year of service, eligible employees receive matching contributions of up to 3%. The employer match for Seasonal employees is vested on a 6-year graded vesting schedule based on Years of Service.

What This Job Offers

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