This area boasts numerous animals currently involved in SSPs including Grevy's zebra, addax, Przewalski's horse, Southern Gerenuk, warthog, waterbuck, and okapi. This team has a long history of innovation and success and, in fact, was the site of the first okapi birth in North America in 1959 and has had 28 successful births to date. Equid experience, ungulate hand-rearing experience, operant conditioning, capture and restraint, and hoof care skills, are a plus.

Also included is the Pachyderm House, home to pygmy hippos, tapirs and rhinos. Watch a pygmy hippo nap in its mud wall or the tapir taking a swim. Check out the rhino as they beat the heat with a roll around in the dust to protect their sensitive skin and keep the bugs from biting. Whether indoor or outdoor, assist in the care and preservation of these endangered animals

The Chicago Zoological Society, which operates the Brookfield Zoo, is currently soliciting on-line applications from qualified and experienced animal care professionals for placement on a hiring list for temporary positions. The list will be used to select qualified candidates for temporary full-time zookeeper positions which arise due to employee absences, leaves, and position vacancies. These temporary assignments may range from several days or weeks to several months, or more, depending on the particular assignment. Placement on the temporary keeper hiring list does not guarantee employment.

Position Requirements and Specifications

Preferred animal experience: Large and/or small hoofstock, exotic ungulate, African Painted dog and/or other small carnivore, pachyderm, marsupial and monotreme. Both capture and restraint skills and operant conditioning experience preferred.

Qualified individuals selected for consideration will be placed on the list for a period of up to six (6) months and may be contacted for temporary positions as they become available during that time. Individuals wishing to be considered for a longer period of time must reapply to be considered.

Placement on the list will be based on the Society's assessment of each candidate's skills, experience, ability, training, availability and other job-related criteria. Consideration for individual temporary openings will be based on the candidate's suitability for the specific opening involved. The current pay rate for these union positions is $21.70/hour. Fringe benefits include only 401k plan and paid time off. Temporary full-time Keepers receive valuable hands-on zookeeping experience, and they may apply and be considered for openings for regular, full-time zookeeper positions as they become available.

Temporary zookeepers generally must be available to begin within 14 calendar days or less of receiving notice and must be able to work rotating schedules, which includes weekends and holidays. A Bachelor's Degree in zoology, animal science, or other related biological field is preferred, a practical understanding of the principles of animal behavior, good interpersonal, communication and decision making skills, and a valid driver's license. Prior experience as a zookeeper or in an animal care facility, farm, kennel or other relevant experience is required. 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 experience working with those animals will be preferred.

Additional Information

In order to be considered, submit your on-line application for this opportunity and each animal area of interest no later than September 24, 2017. Please visit the CZS Career Center www.czs.org/careers to obtain more details about the Temporary Keeper Hiring List opportunities and to apply by submitting your profile.

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/czs/careers . Please look for requisition 1474BR.