Carpenters - Craftsworker at Brookfield Zoo Chicago in Brookfield, IL

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The Craftsworker Carpenter role is far more than traditional carpentry. It blends skilled craftsmanship, creative problem-solving, and innovative construction to bring unique ideas to life. This position requires strong mathematical aptitude, attention to detail, and the ability to think outside the box when designing and building one-of-a-kind solutions. Experience in custom woodworking, set design, or specialty fabrication is a plus.

No two days are the same. Projects are driven by work orders, departmental requests, routine maintenance, and capital improvements. One day may involve repairing roofs, fences, doors, windows, or ADA access systems; the next could mean constructing safety barriers for animal exhibits, restoring wood structures, or maintaining specialized enclosure equipment.
The true excitement of the role lies in its variety and creativity. Past projects have included building a custom conference table, designing and fabricating an automatic animal feeder disguised as a tree, and or constructing various exhibit elements such as lifelike artificial plants, rocks, and trees. This is a role where technical skill meets imagination, offering the opportunity to build everything from practical infrastructure to extraordinary, one-of-a-kind creations that enhance both guest and animal experiences.
The Craftworker Carpenter, contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by performing, with direct guidance, skilled and semi-skilled craftsworker duties throughout the park, providing a safe environment for guests, staff, and the animal collection. Ensure a functional and well-maintained environment that supports BZC’s mission and identified operating goals, including providing an exceptional guest experience.

The Craftsworker Carpenter is a full-time, hourly, union position grade U440 with a pay rate of $34.00 per hour. Please follow this link or copy and paste it in your internet browser to see Compensation and Benefits Summary.

Benefits Overview Full-time Union

https://assets.ctfassets.net/y4b3fp715dyu/7sm0rJ2qEBLPqOd5aRpwNB/df2d075cfbd79235e9509d54c3e2e4bf/Benefits-overview-union-full-time.pdf

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

1.*Perform skilled crafts duties throughout the park with guidance, ensuring services provided meet section standards, client’s specifications, applicable codes, standards, and program goals and is aesthetically pleasing to guests. This includes routine crafts tasks, as well as those associated with preventive maintenance, special repairs, capital construction, special events, emergency/safety, unanticipated capital projects, and overhead. Works cooperatively with managers, peers and clients. Establish and maintain productive working relationship with clients.

2.*Participate in the execution of routine maintenance and repair projects.

• As assigned, perform routine inspections of exhibits and facilities. Advise manager of needed repairs and clients requests.
• Advise Lead Craftsworker (“Lead”) of resource needs. Evaluate schedule and communicate pertinent information to all affected parties.
• Ensure project takes place with the least amount of encroachment upon guests and animal collection.
• Ensure work performed meets standards and specifications and complies with established quality standards.

3. *Provide Lead with resource needs for budget development. Ensure allocated resources are properly utilized. Provide Lead with information relating to needed repairs and improvements in facilities and exhibits.

4. *Perform duties associated with the section’s overhead operating program. Complete daily labor allocation sheets with guidance. Attend and participate in meetings as assigned.

5. *Perform tasks associated with the section’s special events operating program. This includes performing craftsworker-type duties and communicating pertinent information to Managers and other concerned parties.

6. *Carry out craftsworker tasks associated with the section’s functional programs as assigned.

• Routinely inspect functional, structural, and aesthetic systems in exhibits and facilities and perform minor repairs and maintenance as assigned.
• Become familiar with exhibits and facilities section operating program standards.
• Perform crafts work to specified quality standards.
• Advise manager of material needs.

7. *Carry out tasks associated with the section’s standard operating procedures, which includes equipment and shop maintenance, safety, inventory and purchasing, facility surveys, and utility locations.

8. Participate in the sections emergency response and animal welfare program as assigned.

9. Other related duties as assigned.

*Denotes Essential Job Function(s)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS
• High school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED.) required.
• Graduate of an accredited Carpenter apprenticeship program and two years of experience at a journeyman level, or an Associates degree related to field or four years of equivalent experience required.
• Two years’ minimum construction experience in related fields.
• Proactive, persistent, and helpful.
• English fluency at a professional working proficiency required.
• Ability to work in a team-oriented fashion.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to read, write and perform all required math commensurate with field of responsibility.
• Must have familiarity with all codes related to field.
• Must have knowledge and experience in scheduling, estimating routine duties, purchasing and basic project management.
• Ability to perform all tasks related to field.
• 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. A 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 is expected to acquire general knowledge about Brookfield Zoo Chicago and an understanding of BZC’s mission and vision. Must learn how the department interfaces with BZC-wide operations. Must become familiar with and follow BZC policies and procedures, as well as BZC-wide and area emergency response procedures. Must represent BZC in a professional manner at all times.

OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: See Occupational Requirements Form.

000245Carpenters/U440/030226

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.