Phillips Park Zoo - Seasonal Worker 2026

The City of Aurora is accepting applications for seasonal job positions for the Phillips Park Zoo. Positions are available from approximately March through November.

The Phillips Park Zoo Seasonal Worker functions as a team member on the Phillips Park Zoo Animal Care and maintenance staff. Animal care and maintenance staff are responsible for providing care to the zoo’s residents animals, operating the park “Tram”, Butterfly tent and providing interpretive tours, etc. Staff also care for the zoo grounds and exhibits, mowing and parking yards, planting, and weeding gardens, and removing trash/cleaning paths and walkways. The position reports to management staff.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Cleaning animal habitats and holding areas, as directed.
• Diet preparation and feeding.
• Assisting with medical care/animal restrains.
• Maintain exhibit and life support system.
• Conducting record keeping.
• Mowing/Trimming of assigned areas.
• Hosing walkways, trash removal tasks.
• Operating small equipment such as carts, mowers, trimmers, and blowers.
• Shovel sand, mulch, chipped stones, etc.
• Tram operations, driving or narrating.
• Maintenance of zoo planted areas & flower beds (planting, weeding, and watering)
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements:

• Ability to work safely around animals.
• Ability to understand and carry out verbal instructions.
• Ability to operate equipment safely.
• Ability to interact with the public and perform formal/scripted presentations.
• Ability to communicate with coworkers positively and effectively.
• Ability to complete tasks independently, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be licensed to drive in the state of Illinois

Must be able to pass a physical, drug screen, and background investigation.

The hourly wage is $17.29 - $20.64/hour, depending on qualifications.

Seasonal employees may receive preference in consideration for potential promotional opportunities within the City.

Applications should be submitted online.

*Applicants may be contacted regarding their interest in seasonal positions in other Divisions in the City.

*Applicants will only be contacted if selected to move forward in the hiring process.