Join the PRIDE and Brookfield Zoo 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!    

Ready to trade your desk chair for a glowing lantern or a dino cart?

If you have high energy and a passion for storytelling, we want you to be the voice of Brookfield Zoo Chicago! Whether you're lighting up the night at Glow Wild or bringing the prehistoric past back to life under the summer sun, your mission is to turn every guest visit into an unforgettable adventure.

From mission-driven engagement to supporting the "Hub of Hope," you won't just be working at a zoo—you’ll be the bridge between our community and the wild wonders of the world.

This is a seasonal non-union hourly position, grade S007 with a pay rate of $17.60 per hour.

This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by engaging guests and community partners through innovative education and storytelling. This role provides an exceptional guest experience across  primary seasonal activations (e.g., Glow Wild: A Lantern Festival of Hope,  Summer Dinosaur Experience, etc.) The Engagement Associate is responsible for increasing guest appreciation of wildlife, prehistoric nature, and diverse cultures through high-energy, mission-driven engagement.

Primary job duties and responsibilities:

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

* Seasonal Programming & Engagement: Under supervision, facilitates guest engagement for major seasonal events.

* Spring (mid-March to mid-May): Evening operations to support the "Hub of Hope" feature of Glow Wild event and/or similar events by assisting with day-of needs of collaborative community groups, supporting the emcee in the run of show, and facilitating interactive activities that educate about culture and conservation.

* Summer (Memorial Day – Labor Day): Transitions to daytime operations to support the temporary dinosaur exhibit and/or similar events. Operates the Dino Cart, utilizing biological artifacts and interactive tools to educate guests on prehistoric life and conservation.

* Operational Excellence: Learns to set up, open, and close event-specific stations ( e.g.,  Hub of Hope, Dino Cart, etc.), ensuring all materials are organized and the guest area is welcoming.

* Mission Advocacy: Proactively engages guests in conversations that connect animal/nature appreciation to the specific themes of the current exhibit (e.g., cultural connections during Glow Wild or extinction/evolution during Dinosaurs).

 Other related duties as assigned.

* Denotes Essential Job Function(s)

Position requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age. 
• Six months of volunteer or work experience in an educational setting, ideally a zoo, aquarium, or nature center providing quality interpretive experiences and/or direct high customer focused experience. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey messages for diverse audiences and actively engage with guests.
• Strong interpersonal (people skills) and communication skills (ability to convey and receive information).
• Must be able to work well with others and in a collaborative team atmosphere.
• Cultural proficiency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
• English fluency at a professional working proficiency required. Must be able to take and follow directions carefully with the ability to work independently.
• 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:

• Six months of volunteer or work experience in an informal educational setting highly preferred.
• Certification as a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association of Interpretation desirable.
• 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. This position is focused on proactively engaging guests creating a friendly and welcoming experience.   Must have the ability to work non-standard hours including evenings, holidays, and weekend. This position may be assigned to work both indoors and outdoors.

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 274.

This is a seasonal non-union hourly position, grade S007 with a pay rate of $17.60 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 Seasonal Employees

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 matching contributions of up to 3%. The employer match for Seasonal employees is vested on a 6-year graded vesting schedule based on Years of Service.