Join in creating the adventure and inspiring conservation leadership!

Since Brookfield Zoo opened its doors to the public in 1934, the Chicago Zoological Society has had a legacy of educating the public about environmental conservation. The Conservation, Education and Training (CET) staff at Brookfield Zoo is continuing the tradition by incorporating an innovative learning strategy to create a variety of programs for students, parents, teachers, and other community conservationists. Some of these programs include Zoo Camp which provides opportunities for participants to explore and learn about what it takes to care for our resident animals while enjoying games, songs, and even helping out the keepers by making enrichment treats for animals. Sleepover Safaris may take advantage of exhibits being open late, learn how to make behavioral enrichments for animals and wake up the next morning to breakfast and morning hike to see their behavioral enrichment activities given to resident animals.

As part of the CET team, the Community Program Assistant is responsible for performing duties that support an important rung of the Career Ladder program, which creates opportunities to inspire conservation leadership in diverse youth. The Community Program Assistant provides supervision for youth volunteers at the zoo and on field trips, assists in the enforcement of program rules, maintains quality of Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) zoo interpretation and assists with other Career Ladder programs as needed to further the society's mission of inspiring conservation leadership.

As Brookfield Zoo is open 365 days per year, this position does require flexible availability to work any five days out of seven days each week with work shifts that are generally from four to eight hours in length. The position also requires the ability to work non-standard hours such as weekends and holidays. This is a seasonal (temporary) position. The starting wage for this position is $11.25 per hour.

The requirements for this position include:

• Minimum educational requirement is successful completion of junior year of high school required.
• Must have successfully completed at least one year of Chicago Zoological Society's Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) or one year experience in a volunteer or youth leadership program.
• Ability to work independently without close supervision required.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively with youth from diverse backgrounds required.
• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Incumbents must have the ability to work non-standard hours such as weekends and holidays.
• Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.

The desirable qualifications include:

• Two years of high school science preferred.
• Chicago Zoological Society's Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) experience preferred.
• Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer - M/F/V/D.