Craftsworker Carpenter

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This is a union full-time hourly position, grade U440 with a pay rate of $32.08/hour. Please see Benefits Summary section below the job description information.

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 position focuses on carpentry and basic construction related projects/repairs. The position requires good math skills and the ability to think outside of the box. Experience in set design or custom woodworking is a plus. The Craftsworker, Carpenter works with a variety of materials, such as wood, fiberglass, rebar and concrete. The Craftsworker, Carpenter is often called upon to build/construct things that don’t come with blueprints or an instruction manual; they are built to specifications of the client and/or to fit in an allotted amount of space. Projects can vary from day to day, based on work orders, department requests, routine maintenance, or capital projects. Tasks can include such things as roofing; fencing; wood structure repairs; fixing doors/door hardware; installing door systems and windows; fixing ADA building access buttons; fixing shift doors in an animal enclosure; constructing safety fences/barriers for an exhibit; building a custom made conference table; constructing a ten foot tall pumpkin smasher for a Halloween special event; designing and building an automatic animal feeder disguised to look like a tree; or constructing various exhibit elements such as artificial plants, rocks or trees.

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

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 Full-Time Employees

Time Away from Work:

Vacation: Vacation time is accrued on a per-payroll basis based on an employment anniversary year starting on the date of hire. Unused vacation time does not carry over from one calendar year to the next.

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. Personal days must be used by the end of each calendar year.

Sick Leave: Sick leave accrues at a rate of 10 days per year (accumulated at a rate of 0.833 days per month worked). Any employee who does not use anysick time during the calendar year shall be credited with the accrual of twelve sick days during that year. Accumulation of sick leave is unlimited.

Holidays: Union employees are eligible for ten paid holidays per year.

Employee Benefits: Coverage begins on the date of hire for Retirement Savings, Employer-Paid Income Protection, and Voluntary Benefits.

Medical Insurance: Brookfield Zoo Chicago 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 for 90 days after the employee’s date of separation. Employees can also cover their spouse and child(ren) under age 27.

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 and Basic Term Life insurance through the Teamsters Union and Long-Term disability benefits through Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

Voluntary Benefits:

- Group Accident Insurance

- Group Critical Illness Insurance

- Identity Theft Protection