Facility

Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo

Closing Date

Description

Because the Chicago Zoological Society reaches millions of visitors each year, and even more through neighborhood and global outreach, and because each of those people connects with countless others – our potential to change the world is profound, and our responsibility to do so is essential. Chicago Zoological Society, Humane Certified by the American Humane Association, has been awarded Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Quarter Century Award recognizing Brookfield Zoo’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in animal care, welfare, management, veterinary care, conservation, education, facilities, safety, staffing, guest services, and dedication to best modern zoological practices and philosophies.

The Animal Ambassador Program, Hamill Family Play Zoo, and Wild Encounters Supervisory Keepers are responsible for the supervision of 12 fulltime and 12 seasonal keeper staff as well as 10-12 interns that rotate through the department each year. The department conducts a high level in both quality and numbers of guest experiences and programming throughout the year and the supervisory keepers are responsible for maintaining a detailed and accurate daily schedule. The supervisory keepers, in conjunction with the departmental curator oversee all of the staff and animal training, program development and evaluation, day to day of staff supervision, staff coaching and growth, maintaining the operations as well as interfacing with Brookfield Zoo’s Public Relation, Advancement, Events Management and Conservation, Training and Education Departments and Plants and Facilities. The lead keepers need to be proficient and skilled at working in a very dynamic and ever changing department as well as being capable of managing day to day stress and keeping the staff focus on animal care, training, programming and overall team building. The Lead Keeper, Ambassador Animals contributes to the success of the Chicago Zoological Society by providing experienced care for animals and performing related work of maintaining buildings, grounds, and interpretives in assigned area, under the direction of area managers or supervisors. Perform a wide variety of departmental supervisory activities, including supervising and instructing Keepers in assigned area and to support innovations in Conservation Leadership and Animal Welfare. Relieve other Lead Keepers as directed. Perform all routine duties independently and new duties with minimal direction.

Perform in a proactive leadership role and communicate regularly with area supervisors/managers regarding animal management, facility maintenance, and staff supervision and development. Assist in departmental hiring, scheduling, and work assignments, and the development of departmental goals and plans. Establish work priorities for the department. Routinely monitor and review the work performance of keeper staff in assigned area, and ensure completion of tasks in a timely and effective fashion. Prepare and conduct performance appraisals as assigned. Responsible for current animal and equipment inventory. Verify employee work schedules. Provide written reports as assigned. Handle personnel situations in a timely, objective, and consistent manner and in accordance with Society policies and the union contract. Order, prepare, and distribute food to animal areas as required. Ensure compliance with all Society policies and procedures. Observe assigned animals closely and objectively. Apply knowledge and prior experiences to affect or implement change where appropriate. Maintain and utilize animal records. Observe condition of assigned area(s), animal enclosures, and equipment. Monitor and clean public space(s), plants, and interpretives as required. Report maintenance needs as appropriate, and perform minor maintenance tasks. Clean animal enclosures, pools, and service areas as required. Maintain detailed and current knowledge of natural history, husbandry, and captive management of species and individuals in assigned areas. Maintain proficiency in area routines and specialized procedures. Monitor guests to ensure animal and human safety and protection of Society property. Communicate with and assist guests. Take initiative to facilitate guests’ appreciation of animals and enjoyment of their visit. Demonstrate knowledge of and implement Society-wide and area emergency procedures as directed. Train and direct work of interns, seasonal employees, and full-time keeper staff as assigned. Other related duties as assigned.

Education and Pre-requisites

Bachelor’s degree relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training/experience required. Minimum 4 years Keeper experience or equivalent required. Experience with native North American and/or farm animals preferred; strong operant conditioning skills a plus. Additional qualifications and experience may be preferred or required depending upon the specific animals and work area where the keeper will be working. Generally, previous work experience with assigned taxa will be preferred. Detailed and current knowledge of natural history and principles of animal behavior and husbandry required. Must be able to work with live animals safely. Incumbent must demonstrate proficiency in
perceiving and acting upon relevant changes in animal behaviors and conditions. Must be knowledgeable in the management of captive populations including related AZA conservation programs.

Must possess track record of exemplary performance as supervisory keeper or have equivalent, relevant experience. Strong supervisory skills. Demonstrated ability to promote good morale and productivity in the workplace. Proven ability to train/direct the work of interns, seasonal employees, and full-time keeper staff. Demonstrated ability to effectively mediate routine personnel issues/conflicts between staff. Must be able to serve in a leadership role in directing the management and operations within assigned area, ensure short-term goals developed and achieved. Solicit input on improving operations and animal management procedures. Demonstrated capacity to guide the professional development of co-workers. Must be able to maintain confidentiality with regard to personnel/other privileged matters.

Strong public speaking skills preferred; experience and enjoyment with public speaking skills and public interaction preferred. Good communication/interpersonal skills. The ability to interact in a courteous and professional manner. Must be able to maintain good working relationships with staff at all levels, internal and external to Animal Programs. Must be able to communicate effectively and promptly with co-workers, managers, and guests following appropriate communication channels. Successful candidate will be able to work effectively with children and families.

Ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing work group preferred. Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly/efficiently. Must be proficient in learning/integrating information, knowledge, and direction quickly, and completing tasks as needed. Good decision-making skills. Ability to integrate and apply knowledge; prior experiences to affect or implement changes and make sound independent judgments where appropriate. Good problem-solving skills. Must be able to identify problems and utilize
appropriate information to develop solutions. Must possess a track record of demonstrating initiative in analyzing/solving problems, and recommending ideas/viable suggestions to improve ops. Demonstrated record of making recommendations/suggestions that are well thought-out and researched. Must be
able to work with minimal supervision.

Good time management skills. Must demonstrate flexibility, creativity, and responsibility in use of time. Ability and willingness to learn Society conservation programs as they apply to assigned areas. Must be reliable. Incumbent must demonstrate the ability to perform assigned routines and specialized procedures as directed. Must possess a proven record of consistently and accurately performing job duties. Basic computer literacy required. Microsoft Office suite preferred.

Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience. Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus. Valid driver’s license required. Illinois residents must possess a valid Illinois license within 90 days of hire. Valid out-of-state license required for out-of-state residents.

Compensation and benefits

Not specified.

Application instructions

The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the CZS Career Center to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile. Please visit our website at www.czs.org/careers. Please look for requisition number 1492BR.