Seasonal Animal Care Specialist, Animal Ambassador

Our Animal Ambassador Program is a first of its kind in Chicagoland. It allows guests to get up-close views and personal experiences with amazing animals around the zoo's grounds and during special events. Throughout the year, Brookfield Zoo staff and Ambassador Animals will appear for zoo chats and pop-up demonstrations to engage guests. Our Animal Ambassadors include a wide array of species, common and unusual, and spanning birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Through these animals, our staff can convey the importance of conservation and make a direct connection with humans. Bringing people closer to animals is just one way we can help others gain an appreciation for all citizens of the natural world.
This position is working with our Ambassador Animals: public speaking skills and public interaction with guests (children and families) and operant conditioning skills a plus.
Seasonal Animal Care Specialists receive valuable hands-on zookeeping experience while providing high-quality care for the welfare of the collection. You will demonstrate your practical understanding of animal behavior, ability to work with live animals safely, and attention to details while closely observing assigned animals, carefully observing the condition of the assigned area and animal enclosures, and maintaining animal record documentation as assigned. Your friendly demeanor, good interpersonal skills and outstanding communication skills will contribute to creating an extraordinary guest experience.
As Brookfield Zoo is open 365 days a year, seasonal positions require the ability to work rotating shifts including weekends, holidays and evenings. This position also requires that you must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver's license. This is a temporary (seasonal) position, beginning in June 2023, to possibly last through December 2023. The union hourly wage for this position is $15.00 per hour.

The requirements for this position include:

• Must possess an understanding of practical principles of animal behavior and ability to work with live animals safely. Knowledge of natural history, zoology, or animal husbandry preferred
• Must be able to learn and integrate information, knowledge, and direction quickly.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language fluently. Multilingual ability and Spanish fluency a plus.
• High school graduate or equivalent required. Bachelor's degree or college coursework in relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training and experience preferred.
• Minimum six months animal care facility, farm, kennel, or equivalent animal experience preferred.
• Must be reliable. Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently.
• Good interpersonal and communications skills. Must be able to interact in a courteous and professional manner.

Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.

The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Chicago Zoological Society-Brookfield Zoo

60513

Animal Care and Programs

Animal Care and Programs

Union

Rotating Schedule