Chicago Zoological Society (CZS) needs energetic, enthusiastic, and friendly people to join the Brookfield Zoo seasonal staff.
The zoo is open every day of the year and recruits employees in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D/V Seasonal employment opportunities (hourly wage ranging from $7.50 to $25.38) include:
Bartender (Seasonal)
Prepare drinks for the wait staff to serve to guests. Prepare bar for daily operation by referring to the Banquet Event Order (BEO). Insure proper quantities of supplies of product are on hand to cover the days needs, including alcohol, juices, water, soda, fruit, lexons, ice, napkins, and glassware. Prepare all drinks to specified recipes. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Bartenders school certificate preferred. Experience as a bartender preferred and strong customer service skills. Demonstrated experience coordinating multiple projects and activities. Must be able to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines. Ability to work independently. Requires a flexible work schedule- evening, weekend and holiday hours required.
Craftsman (Seasonal-Carousel)
Assists Lead Craftsman and Assistant Lead Craftsman in carrying out daily operational checks associated with the operation of the Carousel attraction. This would include visual inspections of all operating components for proper and safe mechanical operation, engaging attraction in required daily test cycles, ensuring proper fluid levels are maintained, verifying all mechanical elements are receiving the proper rates of lubrication as required, and revamping of attraction as needed. High School diploma or equivalent required. A curriculum emphasizing a relevant trade preferred. Post High School training/coursework in a trade school or university in relevant coursework or minimum one year relevant mechanical experience desirable, but not required. Fundamental knowledge of basic principles involved in carpentry, electricity, and mechanical pumps desired. Seasonal will interact directly with Carousel operators, so good communication and interpersonal skills are required. Must be available to work weekends and holidays, 30 hours per week/6 hours per day.
Food Service Attendants
Food Service Attendants prepare food, operate a cash register, bus tables and serve zoo guests at food locations throughout the zoo. Additional duties include cleaning, stocking, taking physical inventories and providing assistance and information to guests. Must quickly and efficiently accommodate the guests' needs and remain accurate and accountable for all transactions on a cash register system. Excellent communication and people skills required. Some experience interacting with the public desirable. Position requires holiday and weekend work as needed.
Line Cook - Catered Events
Initiates all actions necessary to carry out food preparation and presentation as dictated by the orders received by the Chef in the kitchen. Assists the Chef with all production, cleaning and storage of all restaurant and picnic product and equipment. Prepares all food requisitions necessary to prepare all items offered on the menu. Insures that all food is prepared according to standard recipe and presented in a consistent manner. Maintains a physical presence in the kitchen/picnic tent during dining hours. Washes, utensils and equipment to department specifications. Maintain a safe clean work environment. Follows established food service sanitation practices. Minimum 1 year experience working as a line cook in a restaurant environment. Cooking school certificate preferred with food management courses included in the curriculum. Strong customer service and organizational skills. Must be able to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines. This position requires holiday and weekend availability and ability to work non-standard hours/shifts.
Prep Cook (Seasonal)
Responsible for the timely preparation of all food items ordered by the Food Service Outlets through the Food Service Commissary. Prepares, assembles and packages food items such as salads, sandwiches, parfaits, and other grab n go items for sale in the Food Service outlets. Cuts produce, breads and cheeses. Assists in cleaning the kitchen and equipment at the end of the day. High school diploma or equivalent training or experience preferred. One year experience as a prep cook in a restaurant or experience in a deli environment is preferred. Strong customer service and organizational skills required. This seasonal position requires the incumbent to work non-standard hours such as evenings, weekends and holidays. The schedule is between 12:00 noon and 10:00 p.m.
Seasonal Keeper
Under close supervision, provide general care for animals and perform related work of maintaining buildings, grounds, and interpretives in assigned area. Inform, assist, and direct guests as necessary. Prepare and distribute food as directed. Observe assigned animals closely, routinely, and objectively report to supervisor on their behavior, health, and welfare. Observe condition of assigned area(s), animal enclosures, and equipment. Keep animal records as assigned. Monitor and clean public space(s), plants, and interpretives as assigned. Report maintenance needs. Perform minor maintenance tasks as assigned. Clean animal enclosures, pools, and service areas as assigned. Monitor guests to ensure animal and human safety and protection of park property. Communicate with and assist guests. Take initiative to facilitate guests' appreciation of animals and enjoyment of their zoo visit. Demonstrate knowledge of and implement zoo-wide and area emergency procedures as directed. High school graduate or equivalent required. Bachelor's degree or college coursework in relevant biological field preferred or equivalent combination of training and experience. Animal care facility, farm, kennel, or equivalent animal experience required. Incumbent must possess an understanding of practical principles of animal behavior and ability to work with live animals safely. Good interpersonal skills. Requires the ability to interact in a courteous and professional manner. Knowledge of natural history, zoology, or animal husbandry preferred. Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language fluently. Spanish fluency a plus. Must be a minimum of 18 years old with a valid driver's license. This is a temporary position with rotating shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings.
Catered Events (picnic and catering) employees work all special events, from corporate picnics to evening events. Staff members set up before and clean up after each event, maintain picnic areas, and prepare and grill food.
Grounds Crew perform all grounds maintenance work within the zoo. This can include garbage collection, general park clean up, flower bed planting, weeding and watering, tree and shrub pruning and transplanting, road paving, pool cleaning, and furniture moving.
Why work at Brookfield Zoo? Because Chicago Zoological Society
- is internationally known and recognized
- offers seasonal opportunities that can lead to full-time positions
- offers flexible schedules
- provides a family-oriented and fun work atmosphere
- offers the opportunity to learn skills in customer service, restaurant operations, merchandising, and many other areas
Applications for seasonal positions are taken daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the zoo's South Gate.
For more information, call the zoo's job hotline at (708) 688-8881.
How to Apply
Download and complete the full-time/part-time employment application form or temporary and seasonal employment application. Full background checks are conducted on all final candidates. You must also complete and submit a Background Notification and Authorization form to be considered for a position with the Chicago Zoological Society.
The Chicago Zoological Society is a government contractor subject to Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974 (VEVRAA). These statutes require the Society to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified minorities, females, and individuals with disabilities, veterans of the Vietnam era, special disabled veterans, other protected veterans, and recently separated veterans. If you belong to one of these protected groups and would like to be considered under the affirmative action program, please tell us (download the Voluntary Self Identification Form PDF). You may inform us of your desire to benefit under the program at this time and/or at any time in the future. The information will assist us in meeting our affirmative action obligations and/or in making any reasonable accommodations necessary if you are disabled. Our affirmative action program contains policies and procedures to assure compliance with our Section 503 and VEVRAA obligations. Submission of this information is purely voluntary and choosing not to disclose this information will not subject you to any adverse treatment.
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