Life Support - Craftsworker (Aide)

Brookfieldzoo; Brookfield (IL); On-site; USD 35,220 - 50,162; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Holidays

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Union position

Job summary

Brookfield Zoo Chicago seeks a Craftsworker Aide-Life Support to support life support systems across the park. The role focuses on maintaining water quality and operating life support equipment to protect animal welfare while ensuring guest safety.

This temporary, union, full-time position offers a pay rate of $30.99/hour and requires 6 months water quality or life support experience, a high school diploma, and valid driver's license; weekend/holiday work is expected.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 6 months experience in water quality testing or Life Support systems or AZA internship.
• Ability to read, write and perform math.
• Ability to work in a team.
• English fluency at a professional working level.

Responsibilities

• Perform skilled and semi-skilled crafts duties throughout the park with guidance from Life Support staff and supervisor.
• Adhere to quality control standards and ensure work meets set specifications.
• Follow standard operating procedures and assist with equipment maintenance and inventory.
• Participate in emergency response and animal welfare programs as assigned.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Water quality testing

Life Support systems

Teamwork

Reading & math

English fluency

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Chicago Zoological Society | Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, Illinois, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Friday, June 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Join the PRIDE and Brookfield Z oo Chicago’s mission to ignite emotional connections with wildlife that spark conservation action while leading vital programs to protect endangered species. Our beautiful 235-acre campus offers a living classroom that is home to over 3,500 animals representing 500 species. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is embarking on a groundbreaking, ambitious Next Century Plan to achieve our vision. It is the beginning of an exciting transformative journey!

The Craftsworker Aide-Life Support contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by performing skilled and semi-skilled craft duties throughout the park with a focus on life support systems. Supports BZC’s mission and identified goals related to asset protection, financial sustainability, guest experience, and animal welfare. Ensures work performed provides a safe environment for guests, employees, and the animal collection. Ensures exhibits and facilities are functional, in a well-maintained state, and support BZC objectives.

This is a temporary, union, full-time, hourly position, grade U451 with a pay rate of $30.99/hour.

Primary job duties and responsibilities

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

Craftsworker Aides are expected to perform a variety of duties that may include any or all of the following. Specific assignments will vary depending upon the nature of work performed and/or specific duties assigned:

• *Perform skilled and semi-skilled crafts duties throughout the park with guidance from full-time Life Support staff and supervisor. Assure work performed meets section standards, client specifications, applicable codes and standards, and program goals and is aesthetically pleasing to guests. This includes operating, maintaining and troubleshooting several types of life support systems, including, but not limited to a dolphin/pinniped system, a salt-water fish building, bear exhibit, primate stream systems, and splash pads. Work cooperatively with peers, managers, and clients.
• *Adhere to established quality control standards. Ensure all work performed meets set standards and specifications and complies with established quality control standards.
• *Perform duties associated with the Life Support overhead operating program including following the Labor Allocation Sheet system and completing daily labor allocation sheets, with direct guidance, attending and participating in meetings as assigned.
• *Follow established Standard Operating Procedures and carry out associated tasks, as directed, not limited to but including equipment and maintenance, inventory and purchasing, facility surveys and utility locations.
• Participate in the section's emergency response and animal welfare programs as assigned.
• Other related duties as assigned or directed.

Position requirements

• High school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED.) required.
• Requires 6 months experience in water quality (temperature, turbidity, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, alkalinity, oxygen, etc.) using reliable testing methods and/or in pool-pump maintenance in closed-system filtration or successful completion of Internship Program on water quality and/or Life Support Systems with an AZA accredited institution (paid or unpaid)
• Ability to read, write and perform all required math commensurate with field of responsibility.
• Must be able to perform all tasks related to field and possess skills in related fields.
• Requires the ability to learn and apply information regarding water chemistry and maintenance of

closed water systems.

• Ability to work in a team-oriented fashion.
• Good communications and interpersonal skills.
• English fluency at a professional working proficiency.
• Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
• Valid driver’s license required at time of hire. Illinois residents must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license or obtain one within 90 days of hire. Valid out-of-state driver’s license is required for out-of-state residents

Desirable/preferred qualifications

• Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

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 ensures the work being performed is done safely, provides a safe environment for guests, employees, and the animal collection, ensures life support systems are functional and in a well-maintained state, and supports BZC’s goals and objectives. Incumbent is expected to gain an understanding of BZC’s mission, vision, values, and operating philosophies, and to incorporate these into daily work performance. Position requires work on weekends, holidays and after normal hours when required. Required to carry a pager or cell phone and respond to emergencies as needed. Brookfield Zoo Chicago may require an employee to take and pass a physical examination to determine the employee’s ability to meet the essential functions of the job. This may include vaccinations, blood tests, hearing tests, or other such medical testing or procedures as deemed reasonably necessary for the job and/or required by law.This position involves safely operating a golf cart to transport to needed equipment and supplies to Life Support locations throughout the workday within the Zoo safely and efficiently.

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.

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

Time away from work

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 for90 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.

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.

Chicago Zoological Society | Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, Illinois, United States of America