Themission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadershipby connecting people with wildlife and nature.

Sincethe opening of Brookfield Zoo in 1934, the Society has had an internationalreputation for taking a cutting-edge role in animal care and conservation ofthe natural world. The success of theChicago Zoological Society's mission depends on our ability to inspire peopleto become conservation leaders. Brookfield Zoo is a portal to nature: a place for knowledge,inspiration, and spiritual introspection; a place for families to have fun thatleads to education, awareness, caring, and action. The Chicago Zoological Society is a leadingconservation organization and has an exciting, fast-paced work environment. Weare very customer focused as we host over 2 million guests to Brookfield Zooeach year. We are committed to conservation in the broadest sense, and we takePRIDE in every aspect of our operation. Our employees enjoy a unique workenvironment in a beautiful park-like setting that is based on respect,openness, cooperation, and involvement. At Brookfield Zoo, we work hard and weplay hard! Employees are proud to work for the Chicago Zoological Society andare committed to our important conservation mission. Our dedicated staff has atrue sense of purpose and a strong commitment to animals and conservation and assistin contributing to the success of the Chicago Zoological Society's mission andvision every day.
This position contributes to the success of theChicago Zoological Society by providing experienced care for animals andperforming related work of maintaining buildings, grounds, and interpretives inassigned area, under the direction of area managers or supervisors. Perform awide variety of departmental supervisory activities, including supervising andinstructing Keepers in assigned area and to support innovations in ConservationLeadership and Animal Welfare. Relieve other Lead Keepers as directed. Performall routine duties independently and new duties with minimal direction. Perform in aproactive leadership role and communicate regularly with areasupervisors/managers regarding animal management, facility maintenance, andstaff supervision and development. Assistin departmental hiring, scheduling, training, and work assignments of interns,seasonal employees, and full-time keeper staff as assigned. Assist in the development of departmentalgoals and plans. Establish work priorities for the department. Routinely monitor and review the workperformance of keeper staff in assigned area, and ensure completion of tasks ina timely and effective fashion. Prepareand conduct performance appraisals as assigned. Responsible for current animal and equipment inventory. Provide writtenreports as assigned. Handle personnelsituations in a timely, objective, and consistent manner and in accordance withSociety policies and the union contract. Order, prepare, and distribute food to animal areas as required. Ensure compliance with all Society policiesand procedures. Observe assigned animalsclosely and objectively. Apply knowledge and prior experiences to affect orimplement change where appropriate. Maintain and utilize animal records. Observe condition of assigned area(s), animalenclosures, and equipment. Monitor and clean public space(s), plants, andinterpretives as required. Report maintenance needs as appropriate, and performminor maintenance tasks. Clean animalenclosures, pools, and service areas as required. Maintain detailed and current knowledge ofnatural history, husbandry, and captive management of species and individualsin assigned areas. Maintain proficiencyin area routines and specialized procedures. Monitor guests to ensure animal and human safety and protection ofSociety property. Communicate with andassist guests. Take initiative to facilitate guests' appreciation of animalsand enjoyment of their visit. Demonstrateknowledge of and implement Society-wide and area emergency procedures asdirected. Other related duties asassigned.

Position Requirements and Specifications

Bachelor's degree in relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training and experience required. Minimum 4 years Keeper experience or equivalent required. Detailed and current knowledge of natural history and principles of animal behavior and husbandry required. Must be able to work with live animals safely. 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. This position requires experience with large and/or small hoofstock and will work primarily with mongoose, giraffe, Mexican gray wolves, African painted dogs, and klipspringer, with back-up capabilities in our pachyderm area. Large exotic ungulate experience and hoof maintenance skills are a plus. Operant conditioning experience and capture and restraint skills are preferred. 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. 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. 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. 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. Ability and willingness to learn Society conservation programs as they apply to assigned areas.

Must possess a track record of exemplary performance as a supervisory keeper or have equivalent, relevant experience. Must be able to work with minimal supervision. Strong supervisory skills. Demonstrated ability to promote good morale and productivity in the workplace. 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. Proven ability to train and direct the work of interns, seasonal employees, and full-time keeper 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. Must be reliable and able to maintain confidentiality with regard to personnel and other privileged matters.

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.

Additional Information

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.

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