Since our opening in 1934, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has had an international reputation for taking a cutting-edge role in animal care and conservation of the natural world. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is an active partner in wildlife protection programs around the world, including the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, the world’s longest-running study of bottlenose dolphins. We have pioneered the field of conservation psychology, the study of how people connect with animals and nature. We are able to reach so many audiences each year, including 2 million zoo guests engaged by unique exhibits and programs; some 250,000 schoolchildren, campers, and families who participate in award-winning science education programs; nearly 24,000 teachers who take part in our professional development workshops; and, diverse communities across Chicagoland. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is known throughout the world as a leader in animal welfare and conservation, this venerable institution also serves as a potent economic engine, top tourism attraction, and award-winning educational institution.
At Brookfield Zoo Chicago, we believe that "play" is serious business. We’re looking for a high-energy Play Programs Coordinator to join our Hamill Family Play Zoo team as we create and facilitate nature play experiences that connect children to animals and the natural world. No day is exactly the same, so make sure you have comfortable shoes, creative thinking, and your sense of wonder at the ready!
This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by providing innovative nature play programs and experiences for children and families founded on the practices and philosophies of the BZC NatureStart initiative. Under the guidance of Play Program supervisors, this position develops and facilitates play programs, settings, and experiences in the Hamill Family Play Zoo (“HFPZ”), as well as at other BZC events and programs. These programs contribute to BZC’s goals of providing extraordinary guest experiences and promoting innovations in conservation education, training, and leadership.
This is a non-union full-time hourly position, grade 03H with an expected hiring range of $20.09 to $23.61 per hour.
PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. 1. *Facilitate play with children aged birth-10, including holding live animals, in both indoor and outdoor settings, as assigned. 2. *Responsible for the daily care of equipment, property, play program materials, and play settings, including but not limited to, daily set-up, clean-up, inventory, and proper use of all equipment and property. 3. *Create, develop, and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences and programs with an emphasis on nature play for children aged birth-10 and their families for Education and Community Engagement (“ECE”) programs, BZC special events, and other programs as requested by HFPZ supervisory team members. 4. *Create, develop, and implement play programs and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children aged birth to age 10 and their families at HFPZ. 5. *Serve as the floor assistant for the HFPZ exhibit in a support role to the supervisor on assigned days. Duties may include adjusting the day’s schedule to reflect any crew changes, special activities that need accommodation, etc. Serve as the primary point of contact for radio calls including first aid and lost child situations. Attend to needs of crew, guests, and exhibit such as providing bathroom breaks, answering guest questions, cleaning up spills and calling custodial crew for larger cleaning needs, receiving deliveries, and closing the building at the end of the day as scheduled. 6. *Provide guidance to adult and youth volunteers as directed. 7. Other related duties as assigned. * Denotes Essential Job Function(s)
POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS: • High school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED.) required. • Basic computer literacy required. Experience with Windows, Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel required. • Minimum two years’ experience required in any of the following areas: facilitation of play, art, drama, music, or other creative activities, working with and/or supervising adult and youth volunteers, and/or early childhood education or other educational and/or recreational experience with children. • Must be able to work with and handle live animals safely including small mammals, herps, birds, and invertebrates. • Excellent customer service skills and/or demonstrated ability to work with the public effectively required. • Solid interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written. Strong ability to communicate effectively with children of diverse background aged birth-10 and their caregivers required. English fluency at working professional proficiency required.
DESIRABLE/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts, Science, Fine Arts, Drama, Early Childhood Education, Environmental Education, or related field or eight years’ equivalent combination of training and/or experience is preferred. • Minimum one-year experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum, nature center, art studio environment, or early childhood classroom preferred. • A genuine interest in nature, animals, and children preferred. • Creative skills and abilities such as those demonstrated by a musician, actor, dancer, artist, gardener, farmer, naturalist, craftsman, costume designer, seamstress, or other relevant skills that could be applied to play experiences preferred. • Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency highly desirable. • Experience with PowerPoint and other office software packages preferred. • Valid driver’s license preferred.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This position description summarizes the primary duties and functions of this position, but should not be considered a complete listing of every duty the incumbent may ever be called upon to perform. Incumbent must be able to learn effective play facilitation skills. Incumbent is expected to incorporate knowledge of BZC, its mission, vision, and values into daily operations and job responsibilities. Must be a flexible team player and able to work in a fast-paced environment. Position requires ongoing training and continuing education. Attendance at events, trainings, conferences, etc. at off-site locations will be required (may require local travel). This position requires rotating shifts including weekends, holidays, and evenings. Must be able to accommodate a flexible schedule. Must be able to work in outdoor and indoor settings in a variety of weather conditions.
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 https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/careers and use the Advanced Search feature to look for requisition number 314.
This is a non-union full-time hourly position, grade 03H with an expected hiring range of $20.09 to $23.61 per hour.
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. Non-Union Full-Time Employees Time Away from Work: Paid Time Off (PTO): PTO is accrued based on Years of Service and pay grade on a per-pay-period basis starting on the date of hire. Years of Service Positions in Grades 01H-06 Positions in Grades 07H-14-14MT-15MT Positions in Grades 16H-17MT Positions in Grades 07H1-081 (10hr/day) New hire- 5 years 21 days 26 days 31 days 18 days
Holidays: Non-union employees are eligible for eight paid holidays per year. Employee Benefits: Coverage begins on the date of hire. Medical Insurance: Employees may choose from one of two medical plans: Blue Cross-Blue Shield HMO or PPO Plan. Benefit Coverage Tiers Available HMO Employee Cost (biweekly) PPO Employee Cost (biweekly) Medical Insurance Employee, Employee + Spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family $48.82- $199.53 $75.12- $296.58
Common Medical Event HMO PPO Annual Deductible $250 Individual/ $500 Family In-Network: $750 Individual / $1,500 Family Out-of-Network: $1,500 Individual / $3,000 Family Out-of-pocket-maximum $1,500 Individual / $3,000 Family Prescription drug expense limit: $1,000 Individual / $2,000 Family In-Network: $2,000 Individual / $4,000 Family Out-of-Network: $4,000 Individual / $8,000 Family Doctors Visits $40/ PCP visit $60/ Specialist visit No Charge: Preventive care/screening/ immunization
$30/ PCP visit; deductible does not apply $50/ Specialist visit; deductible does not apply No Charge: Preventive care/screening/ immunization; deductible does not apply.
Hospitalization Facility Fee: $250/admission plus 20% coinsurance Physician/surgeon fees: No charge Facility Fee: 20% co-insurance Physician/surgeon fee: 20% co-insurance.
Dental Insurance & Vision Care Coverage: A PPO dental plan and an employee-paid vision care plan are available. Mental Health: Support, counseling, and resources for life issues at no cost to you. Eligible employees and their immediate family have access to Perspectives, a dynamic Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) which provides 24/7, confidential care and resources to address work and life stressors. 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.
Employer-Paid Income Protection: Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in Short-Term Disability benefits, Long-Term Disability benefits, Basic Term Life insurance and Basic AD&D insurance. Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Eligible employees may set aside pre-tax dollars from their paychecks to save for pre-tax reimbursement of qualified healthcare and/or dependent care expenses.
Voluntary Benefits: -Supplemental Term Life Insurance - Group Accident Insurance -Supplemental Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - Group Critical Illness Insurance -Supplemental Dependent Life Insurance - Identity Theft Protection
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is open 363 days each year. Work schedules vary with each position. This position may require the ability to work a non-traditional schedule on-site that may include holidays, weekends, mornings and/or evenings. The mission of Brookfield Zoo Chicago is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, American Humane, and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. 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.
