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SalaryThe Lead Animal Care Specialist 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 others in assigned area and to support innovations in Conservation Leadership and Animal Welfare. Relieve other Leads as directed. Perform all routine duties independently and new duties with minimal direction.
The Animal Ambassador team is dedicated to connecting guests, classrooms, donors, communities and media with amazing animals to fulfill the zoo’s mission of inspiring conservation leadership. Staff use operant conditioning to train a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates to engage with guests via public programming and special events both in park and off site. Through these animals, staff can convey the importance of conservation. The Lead Animal Care Specialist for the Ambassador team must be fluent in operant conditioning; have strong communication skills; have excellent time management and organizational skills and be flexible to meet animal needs.
The duties and responsibilities:
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 other Animal Care 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 keep staff as assigned.
Other related duties as assigned.
The Animal Ambassador team is dedicated to connecting guests, classrooms, donors, communities and media with amazing animals to fulfill the zoo’s mission of inspiring conservation leadership. Staff use operant conditioning to train a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates to engage with guests via public programming and special events both in park and off site. Through these animals, staff can convey the importance of conservation. The Lead Animal Care Specialist for the Ambassador team must be fluent in operant conditioning; have strong communication skills; have excellent time management and organizational skills and be flexible to meet animal needs.
The duties and responsibilities:
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 other Animal Care 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 keep staff as assigned.
Other related duties as assigned.
Position Requirements and Specifications
The requirements for this position include:
Bachelor's degree in relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training and experience required.
Minimum 4 years Keeper/Animal Care Specialist experience or equivalent required. Must possess a track record of exemplary performance as a supervisor or have equivalent, relevant experience.
Detailed and current knowledge of natural history and principles of animal behavior and husbandry required. Must be able to work with live animals safely.
Good communication and 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.
Must be knowledgeable in the management of captive populations including related AZA conservation programs.
Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently.
Must be proficient in learning and integrating information, knowledge, and direction quickly, and completing tasks as needed. Ability to work in a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment preferred.
Good decision-making skills. Ability to integrate and apply knowledge and prior experiences to affect or implement changes and make sound independent judgments where appropriate.
Incumbent must demonstrate proficiency in perceiving and acting upon relevant changes in animal behaviors and conditions.
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.
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 and solving problems, and recommending ideas and viable suggestions to improve operations. Demonstrated record of making recommendations and suggestions that are well thought-out and researched.
Must be able to work with minimal supervision.
Strong supervisory skills. Demonstrated ability to promote good morale and productivity in the workplace. Proven ability to train and direct the work of interns, seasonal employees, and full-time Animal Care staff. Demonstrated ability to effectively mediate routine personnel issues and conflicts between staff.
Must be able to serve in a leadership role in directing the management and operations within assigned area, and ensure short-term goals are developed and achieved. Solicit input on improving operations and animal management procedures. Demonstrated capacity to guide the professional development of co-workers.
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.
Must be able to maintain confidentiality with regard to personnel and other privileged matters.
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.
Bachelor's degree in relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training and experience required.
Minimum 4 years Keeper/Animal Care Specialist experience or equivalent required. Must possess a track record of exemplary performance as a supervisor or have equivalent, relevant experience.
Detailed and current knowledge of natural history and principles of animal behavior and husbandry required. Must be able to work with live animals safely.
Good communication and 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.
Must be knowledgeable in the management of captive populations including related AZA conservation programs.
Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently.
Must be proficient in learning and integrating information, knowledge, and direction quickly, and completing tasks as needed. Ability to work in a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment preferred.
Good decision-making skills. Ability to integrate and apply knowledge and prior experiences to affect or implement changes and make sound independent judgments where appropriate.
Incumbent must demonstrate proficiency in perceiving and acting upon relevant changes in animal behaviors and conditions.
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.
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 and solving problems, and recommending ideas and viable suggestions to improve operations. Demonstrated record of making recommendations and suggestions that are well thought-out and researched.
Must be able to work with minimal supervision.
Strong supervisory skills. Demonstrated ability to promote good morale and productivity in the workplace. Proven ability to train and direct the work of interns, seasonal employees, and full-time Animal Care staff. Demonstrated ability to effectively mediate routine personnel issues and conflicts between staff.
Must be able to serve in a leadership role in directing the management and operations within assigned area, and ensure short-term goals are developed and achieved. Solicit input on improving operations and animal management procedures. Demonstrated capacity to guide the professional development of co-workers.
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.
Must be able to maintain confidentiality with regard to personnel and other privileged matters.
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.
Additional Information
This position description summarizes the primary duties and functions of this position, but should not be considered a complete listing of every duty the incumbent may ever be called upon to perform. Animal Care Specialists are frequently subjected to potential hazards that include direct contact with or close proximity to live animals. These 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 reasonable and necessary. Incumbent must possess or acquire knowledge of the Chicago Zoological Society, its mission and vision, policies and procedures, and incorporate into daily job responsibilities. This is a full-time position with rotating shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings.
The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This is a regular full-time, union, hourly paid position with a starting pay rate of $34.17 per hour ($35.20 per hour effective 4/1/24!). Health and Welfare Benefits for Union Staff are provided by the Benefits Fund under Teamsters Local Union No. 727. Other benefits include 401(k) Retirement Savings and Financial Planning with Employer Match, 10 Paid Holidays, 3 Personal Days per year, and other benefits.
The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This is a regular full-time, union, hourly paid position with a starting pay rate of $34.17 per hour ($35.20 per hour effective 4/1/24!). Health and Welfare Benefits for Union Staff are provided by the Benefits Fund under Teamsters Local Union No. 727. Other benefits include 401(k) Retirement Savings and Financial Planning with Employer Match, 10 Paid Holidays, 3 Personal Days per year, and other benefits.
Schedule Details
This is a full-time position with rotating shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings.
Job Location
Chicago Zoological Society-Brookfield Zoo
Zip Code
60513
Department
Animal Care and Programs
Group
Animal Programs
Union Status
Union
Work Shift
Rotating Schedule
