NatureStart Programs - Coordinator, Play Programs

This is a non-union full-time hourly position, grade 03H with an expected hiring range of $20.09 to $21.85 per hour. For our Benefits Summary Information, follow this link to our Benefits Table or copy and paste the following in your internet browser www.brookfieldzoo.org/custom.czs/files/06/06337b2c-b3db-45a2-8eb2-f8362486bd0e.pdf (please refer to the non-union, full-time employee section) and/or refer to the benefit details provided below after the job description information.

The typical work schedule for this position is either [Wednesday - Saturday] or [Sunday - Wednesday] with a 10 hour work day starting at 9:00/9:30 a.m. depending on the time of year and operating hours.

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.

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.

OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: See Occupational Requirements form.

000359/050625

We are pleased that you are considering joining our dedicated team at Brookfield Zoo Chicago (BZC). Below is a summary of Brookfield Zoo Chicago's generous employee benefits.

Please note, benefits vary based on whether benefits are provided through the Teamsters Union for positions represented by the Teamsters or by Brookfield Zoo Chicago for non-union positions. For non-union positions, some benefits also differ by pay grade classification if noted.

Holidays: Non-union employees are eligible for 8 paid holidays per year.

Medical Insurance: Employees may choose from one of two medical plans: Blue Cross-Blue Shield HMO or PPO Plan. A waiver credit is available to employees who waive enrollment in medical insurance. Coverage begins on the employee's hire date.

Dental Insurance & Vision Care Coverage: A dental plan and an employee-paid vision care plan are available. A waiver credit is offered to employees who waive enrollment in the dental plan. Coverage begins on the employee's hire date.

Mental Health: Support, counseling, and resources for life issues at no cost to the employee. 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: A 401(k) savings plan is available for all employees. Choose either pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax contributions. First of the quarter following one year of service, eligible employees receive matching contributions of 50% of the first 6% you contribute.

Employer-paid Income Protection: Short-Term and Long-Term disability benefits are available which provide up to 60% of the employee's base weekly wages for the first 90 days, then up to 60% of the employee's monthly wages if the employee is unable to return to work. Basic Term Life & Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance policies each in the coverage amount of 1X the employee's annual salary, plus an additional $10,000 in coverage. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in these benefits upon hire.

Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Brookfield Zoo Chicago believes in helping eligible employees take advantage of pre-tax savings for eligible healthcare and/or dependent care expenses. 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