Temporary Hiring List - Hamill Family Play Zoo and Wild Encounters

Submit your on-line application for this opportunity no later than September 21, 2025!

At just over three acres, Hamill Family Wild Encounters is geared toward guests of all ages, and features unforgettable hands-on experiences that include opportunities to touch and feed animals, including parakeets and goats. You'll also get to see llamas, wallabies, and reindeer, plus enjoy Zoo Chats and Animal Ambassador appearances throughout the summer.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is currently soliciting on-line applications from qualified and experienced animal care professionals for placement on our hiring list for temporary (aide) positions. The list will be used to select candidates for temporary full-time animal care specialist aide positions which arise due to employee absences, leaves, and position vacancies, between 12/1/25 and 5/31/26. These temporary assignments may range from several days or weeks to several months, or more, depending on the particular assignment. Placement on the temporary hiring list does not guarantee employment.

If offered a role, this is a full-time, temporary, union aide position, primarily in our Hamill Family Play Zoo and Wild Encounters department, with a starting pay rate of $27.17 per hour and requires a union initiation fee upon hire, along with monthly union dues/fees. The Benefits Summary Information (for this position, please refer to the union temporary aide employees section) can be found at:

https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/custom.czs/files/5d/5dfac8db-5b35-45d1-8e3c-b37c698b6d43.pdf

This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago ("BZC") by, under close supervision, providing general care for animals and performing related work of maintaining buildings, grounds, and interpretives in assigned area. Inform, assist, and direct guests as necessary.

Primary job duties and responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions of the position.

1. * Prepare and distribute food as directed.
2. * Observe assigned animals closely, routinely, and objectively report to supervisor on their behavior, health, and welfare. Keep animal records as assigned.
3. * Observe condition of assigned area(s), animal enclosures, and equipment. Monitor and clean public space(s), plants, and interpretives as assigned. Report maintenance needs. Perform minor maintenance as assigned.
4. * Clean animal enclosures, pools, and service areas as assigned.
5. * Develop proficiency in routines of assigned areas and specialized procedures as directed.
6. * Monitor guests to ensure animal and human safety and protection of property.
7. * Communicate with and assist guests. Take initiative to facilitate guests' appreciation of animals and enjoyment of their zoo visit.
8. *Demonstrate knowledge of and implement BZC-wide and area emergency procedures as directed.
9. * Study specific reference materials about animals in assigned area. Read other zoological and husbandry texts as assigned.
10. Other related duties as assigned.

* Denotes Essential Job Function(s)

Position requirements and specifications:

• High school graduate or GED equivalent required.
• Animal care facility, farm or kennel, or other equivalent animal experience required.

• Incumbent must possess an understanding of practical principles of animal behavior and ability to work with live animals safely.
• Good interpersonal skills. The ability to interact in a courteous and professional manner.
• Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently.
• Must learn and integrate information, knowledge, and direction quickly.
• Good decision-making skills. Must be alert and make sound, independent judgment.
• Ability to accurately perform job duties.

• Incumbent is expected to acquire general knowledge about the Brookfield Zoo Chicago, gain an understanding of BZC's mission statement, and become familiar with and follow policies and procedures, including emergency procedures.
• Must be reliable.

• English fluency at a professional working proficiency.
• Cultural proficiency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.

• Valid driver's license required. Valid driver's license required for Illinois residents within 90 days of hire; valid out-of-state license required for out-of-state residents.

Desirable/preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training and experience preferred.
• Knowledge of natural history, zoology, or animal husbandry preferred.
• For Marine Aquatic positions SCUBA Certification is a plus.
• Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

Additional information:

This is a full-time, temporary position with rotating shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings. This job description contains the primary duties and responsibilities of the position, but in no way implies that these are the only duties the employee may ever be called upon to perform.

• Responsibility for Society Property: Incumbent is responsible for the care and proper use of equipment and property.
• Responsibility for Safety of Others: Incumbent is responsible for the safety of guests, animals, employees, interns, volunteers, etc., as instructed. Must be alert to hazards and potential hazards and take action to remedy or report these as appropriate.
• Contacts: Primary contacts include staff, professional associates, volunteers, docents, interns, and guests.
• Other Qualifications and Characteristics: Incumbent must possess a genuine interest in animals and their welfare. Must work cooperatively and follow appropriate communication channels. Must possess ability to adjust quickly to changes, and represent the BZC in a professional manner at all times.

Animal Care Specialists are frequently subjected to potential hazards that include direct contact with or close proximity to live animals. Animal Care Specialist positions are physically demanding, and employees may be subjected to a variety of physical demands and environmental factors and exposures. Incumbents may be required to undergo physical examinations, including vaccinations, inoculations, blood tests, or other such testing or procedures as may be required by law or deemed reasonably necessary.

If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the BZC Career Center to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile. Please visit our website at brookfieldzoo.org/careers. Please look for requisition number 228.

Benefits for Union Temporary Aide-level Employees

Union Temporary Aide employees are considered full-time employees and are eligible for coverage under the Teamster's Health and Welfare Benefits Plan.

Personal Days: Union employees receive three (3) personal days per year. Personal days are pro-rated for the first year of employment based on date of hire. All personal days must be used by December 31 of the calendar year or by the end of the employee's temporary assignment, whichever comes first.

Sick Time: Employees who work 8-hour or 10-hour days accrue based on the equivalent of 80 hours (10 days) of sick time per year. Sick time is accrued on a per pay-period basis. For an employee who works an 8-hour day, they earn 3.08 hours of sick time each pay period. There is no maximum accrual of sick time. Employees who have perfect attendance during a calendar year are awarded two additional sick days.

Holidays: Union employees are eligible for 10 paid holidays per year.

New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; President's Day; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day

Medical Insurance: BZC pays 100% of the cost of benefits for bargaining unit employees. There is no cost to the employee. Medical insurance is provided through the Teamsters union. One plan is available. A waiver credit is provided for employees who waive enrollment in medical insurance. Coverage begins following a 90-day waiting period. Coverage continues for 90 days after the employee's date of separation. Employees can also cover their spouse and child(ren) under age 27.

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.

Other Benefits & Perks for All Employees (unless otherwise noted)

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.

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

The laminated pass entitles the employee to free parking and admission to the Zoo and paid attractions. The card also extends the same privileges to the employee's immediate family (spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, children, and parents).

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.