Walking around Brookfield Zoo can sure work up an appetite! During our busy season, BZ Red Hots, our largest on-site restaurant, is located near the Dolphinarium and is always bustling with many guests throughout the day, but especially before and after the Dolphin show. We are proud to serve a variety of high-quality, delicious summer foods - Chicago style! In addition to serving Chicago hot dogs and Italian beef, there are a variety of yummy snack foods served at the restaurant--from nachos to hot pretzels or chips. There also is an assortment of beverages to select from, including a 32 oz. souvenir cup (good for free refills in 2012), Miller Lite, seasonal brews, and more.

As a Food Service Attendant at the BZ Red Hots restaurant, you will assist our many guests and greet them with a welcoming smile as customer service is a number one priority at Brookfield Zoo. Along with that pleasant smile and outstanding customer service, you may be preparing and serving food products safely, operating a variety of food service equipment, such as deep fryers, ice cream machines, soda machines, grills, etc; operating the cash register to accurately ring up sales, and balancing the cash draw at the end of each work day. Clean-up tasks such as bussing and cleaning tables, cleaning counter tops, sweeping, mopping, emptying trash, and washing dishes/utensils are also extremely important to maintaining a high-quality restaurant experience for our over 2 million guests each year.

Position Requirements and Specifications
As Brookfield Zoo is open 365 days a year, this position highly prefers flexible availability to work any 5 days out of any 7 days each week with work shifts that are usually from 4 to 8 hours in length generally during the hours that Brookfield Zoo is open. From Memorial Day - Labor Day the Zoo is open 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily (Sundays until 7:30 p.m.). After Labor Day until Memorial Day the weekend & weekday hours vary from 9:30/10:00 a.m. - 5:00/6:00 p.m. During special events, the Zoo may be open until 9:00/10:00 p.m. You must be at least 16 years of age for this position. This is a temporary (seasonal) position. Starting wage: $8.55 per hour.

The requirements for this position include:

• High School graduate or (GED) equivalent preferred.


• Basic math skills and willingness to learn.


• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills required with the ability to communicate effectively with the public and staff required.


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure, ability to handle multiple tasks and ability to meet deadlines required.


• Must project a neat, clean, professional appearance at all times.


• Must be able to work effectively and accurately and at a brisk pace during busy periods.


• Incumbent must work non-standard hours including evenings, holidays, and weekends. Work schedules are based on the needs of the operation and may be adjusted due to weather conditions or for other reasons.


• Food Service Associates may be assigned to work in restaurants, refreshment stands, mobile carts, or other outdoor sales locations (certain positions have minimum age requirements).


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


• Multilingual ability and Spanish fluency a plus.

Additional Information
This requisition is to actively recruit for positions that are anticipated to have start dates between March 2014 and May 2014. Candidates at minimum need to be available to work Saturdays & Sundays starting immediately in March/April/May. Weekday availability between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. strongly desired.

Additional requisitions will be posted shortly for other food service opportunities. Please continue to visit our CZS Career Center for these future opportunities.

The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer - Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.