Operations Lieutenant, Brookfield Zoo Police Department

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!


This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by performing duties as an armed officer to ensure the safety and protection of life and property, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, and the enforcement of laws and BZC rules to protect BZC assets and support BZC’s goal of providing an excellent, safe guest experience and workplace. This position is responsible for supervisory and administrative duties including, planning, organizing and directing assigned activities of the Police Department.

This is a non-union, fulltime, salaried position, grade 10, with a hiring range of $89,583.33 to $98,541.67. The Benefits Summary Information (for this position, please refer to the non-union, fulltime employee section). You may also copy and paste this link in your browser for ease of viewing:
https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/custom.czs/files/5d/5dfac8db-5b35-45d1-8e3c-b37c698b6d43.pdf

Primary job duties and responsibilities:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions of the position.

1. *With the Chief of Police and working with the Administrative Lieutenant, administers the enforcement of park rules, regulations and maintaining a secure environment for guests, employees, facilities and the animal collection. Under the direction of supervisor and working with the Police Administrative Lieutenant, directs, supervises assigned employees, including but not limited to: hiring, selection, assignment, scheduling, training and development, coaching and counseling and disciplinary actions. Ensures that established policies and procedures are followed and assures the enforcement of park rules, compliance with state, federal and local statutes and regulations. Sets performance standards and goals for staff and completes timely performance evaluations. Reviews reports written by subordinates and the Administrative Lieutenant, monitors performance, provides coaching and counseling when necessary, and recommends personnel actions.
2. *Prepares work schedules for regular and seasonal employees to assure adequate staffing levels for rotating shifts to meet operating needs and for special events.
3. *Provides administrative support for the department, including, but not limited to yearly, quarterly and monthly reports. Responsible for maintaining all emergency medical, case, night and daily activity reports, schedules and other department records and reports as required.
4. *Assists the Sergeants in the preparation and administration of daily roll call, inspects the appearance of subordinates for day and afternoon shifts and assigns officers to special details as required. Explains new directives, information regarding special events occurring in the park, and reviews/relays relevant information, current trends and/or special watches.
5. *Responsible for keeping supervisors timely informed of non-routine incidents or situations or that have the potential to impact the department or another department within BZC.
6. *Works with supervisors and the Risk Management team to reinforce a safety culture within the Police Department. Works with department staff on hazard identification and reporting, including unsafe work practices, inclusion of safety-specific details in written reports, and coordination of safety training for the Police Department. Reports incidents and corrective actions taken immediately to safety and a supervisor. Complies with and ensures subordinates follow safe work practices. Inspects equipment and vehicles daily for any defects and uses personal protective equipment and automobiles as assigned in the completion of duties.
7. *Manages the Park Safety Officer Program. Working with assigned Sergeant(s), oversees all aspects of the program to include selection, assignment, scheduling, training, evaluation and disciplinary actions.
8. *Patrols zoo property and enforces and administers park rules; statutes and regulations. Prepares field reports and required paperwork in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to work schedules defined by the department, including nights, weekends and holidays. Patrols the park and adjacent boundaries using a patrol car, golf cart, on foot or bicycle as assigned. Responds to basic inquiries from Police Officers and Park Safety Officers and conducts appropriate follow up. Responds to dispatch