Temporary Hiring List, Animal Care Specialist Aides, Aquatics - Full-time

Join the PRIDE!  

Submit your on-line application for this opportunity no later than March 8, 2026!

Our Aquatics team’s mission is to connect guests with aquatic life, lead in animal welfare, and advance conservation locally and globally through education, hands-on action, and teamwork.  If you share our passion for aquatic animals and are ready to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to apply and join us as we lead the next wave of positive change at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is currently soliciting on-line applications from qualified and experienced animal care professionals for placement on our hiring list for temporary (aide) positions.  The list will be used to select candidates for temporary full-time animal care specialist aide positions which arise due to employee absences, leaves, and position vacancies, between 6/1/26 and 11/30/26. These temporary assignments may range from several days or weeks to several months, or more, depending on the particular assignment.  Placement on the temporary hiring list does not guarantee employment.

If offered a role, this is a full-time, temporary, union aide position, primarily in our Aquatics department, with a starting pay rate of $27.17 per hour and requires a union initiation fee upon hire, along with monthly union dues/fees.  The Benefits Summary Information (for this position, please refer to the union temporary aide employee section) can be found below.

This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by, under close supervision, providing general care for animals and performing related work of maintaining buildings, grounds, and interpretives in assigned area.  Inform, assist, and direct guests as necessary.

Primary job duties and responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions of the position. 

1. * Prepare and distribute food as directed.
2. * Observe assigned animals closely, routinely, and objectively report to supervisor on their behavior, health, and welfare.  Keep animal records as assigned. 
3. * Observe condition of assigned area(s), animal enclosures, and equipment.  Monitor and clean public space(s), plants, and interpretives as assigned.  Report maintenance needs.  Perform minor maintenance as assigned.
4. * Clean animal enclosures, pools, and service areas as assigned. 
5. * Develop proficiency in routines of assigned areas and specialized procedures as directed. 
6. * Monitor guests to ensure animal and human safety and protection of property. 
7. *  Communicate with and assist guests.  Take initiative to facilitate guests’ appreciation of animals and enjoyment of their zoo visit.
8. *Demonstrate knowledge of and implement BZC-wide and area emergency procedures as directed. 
9. * Study specific reference materials about animals in assigned area.  Read other zoological and husbandry texts as assigned. 
10. Other related duties as assigned.   

 * Denotes Essential Job Function(s)

Position requirements and specifications: 

• High school graduate or GED equivalent required. 
• Animal care facility, farm or kennel, or other 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.  The ability to interact in a courteous and professional manner.
• Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently.
• Must learn and integrate information, knowledge, and direction quickly.
• Good decision-making skills.  Must be alert and make sound, independent judgment.
• Ability to accurately perform job duties.

• Incumbent is expected to acquire general knowledge about the Brookfield Zoo Chicago, gain an understanding of BZC’s mission statement, and become familiar with and follow policies and procedures, including emergency procedures.
• Must be reliable.

• English fluency at a professional working proficiency.
• Cultural proficiency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.

• Valid driver's license required.  Valid driver’s license required for Illinois residents within 90 days of hire; valid out-of-state license required for out-of-state residents.

Desirable/preferred qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training and experience preferred.
• Knowledge of natural history, zoology, or animal husbandry preferred.
• For Marine Aquatic positions SCUBA Certification is a plus.
• Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

Additional information:

This is a full-time, temporary position with rotating shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings.  This job description contains the primary duties and responsibilities of the position, but in no way implies that these are the only duties the employee may ever be called upon to perform. 

Responsibility for Society Property:  Incumbent is responsible for the care and proper use of equipment and property.

Responsibility for Safety of Others:  Incumbent is responsible for the safety of guests, animals, employees, interns, volunteers, etc., as instructed.  Must be alert to hazards and potential hazards and take action to remedy or report these as appropriate.

Contacts:  Primary contacts include staff, professional associates, volunteers, docents, interns, and guests.

Other Qualifications and Characteristics:  Incumbent must possess a genuine interest in animals and their welfare.  Must work cooperatively and follow appropriate communication channels.  Must possess ability to adjust quickly to changes, and represent the BZC in a professional manner at all times. 

Animal Care Specialists are frequently subjected to potential hazards that include direct contact with or close proximity to live animals.  Animal Care Specialist positions are physically demanding, and employees may be subjected to a variety of physical demands and environmental factors and exposures.  Incumbents may be required to undergo physical examinations, including vaccinations, inoculations, blood tests, or other such testing or procedures as may be required by law or deemed reasonably necessary. 

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note that portions of our recruitment and selection process may involve the support of AI tools to help ensure efficiency and consistency.  

If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the Brookfield Zoo Chicago Career Center to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile.  Please visit our website at and use the Advanced Search feature to look for requisition number 283.

If offered a role, this is a full-time, temporary, union aide position, primarily in our Aquatics department, with a starting pay rate of $27.17 per hour and requires a union initiation fee upon hire, along with monthly union dues/fees.  The Benefits Summary Information (for this position, please refer to the union temporary aide employee section) can be found below.

Benefits Summary

We are pleased that you are considering joining our team at Brookfield Zoo Chicago (BZC). Below is a summary of the benefits we offer.

Union Temporary Aide-level Employees

Union Temporary Aide employees fulfill short-term staffing needs. They are considered full-time employees and are eligible for coverage under the Teamster’s Health and Welfare Benefits Plan (Medical Insurance).

Vacation: No vacation benefit accrual.

Personal Convenience Days: Union employees receive three (3) personal days per year which can be used for any purpose. Personal days are pro-rated for the first year of employment. All personal days must be used by December 31 of the calendar year or by the end of the employee’s temporary assignment, whichever comes first.

Sick Leave: Union Employees who work 8-hour or 10-hour days accrue based on the equivalent of 80 hours (10 days) of sick leave per year. Sick time is accrued on a per pay-period basis. For an employee who works an 8-hour day, they earn 3.08 hours of sick time each pay period. Employees who have perfect attendance during a calendar year shall be credited with two (2) additional sick days. Accumulation of sick leave is unlimited.

Holidays: Union Temporary Aide employees are eligible for ten paid holidays per year.

Medical Insurance: BZC pays 100% of the cost of benefits for bargaining unit employees. There is no cost to the employee. Medical insurance is provided through the Teamsters union. One plan is available. A waiver credit is provided for employees who waive enrollment in medical insurance. Coverage begins following a 90-day waiting period. Coverage continues for 90 days after the employee’s date of separation. Temporary Aide-level employees may choose to cover their child(ren) under age 27. Spouse coverage is not available.

Retirement Savings: Eligible employees are automatically enrolled at 6% on a pre-tax basis as soon as administratively feasible following date of hire. Employee Pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax contributions available. First of the quarter following one year of service, eligible employees receive regular matching contributions of up to 3%. The employer match for full-time employees is immediately vested.