Wilder Institute/The Calgary Zoo

How long have you been in business?

We have been in business since 1929 – almost 100 years!

How many locations do you have in Calgary and nationally/internationally? What locations are hiring locally in Calgary and area?

While we are primarily based in Calgary, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has conservation field teams across Canada and internationally. Our conservation work extends to a variety of plant and animal species, as well as critical work fostering community-based and partner relationships to drive the success of each initiative.

How many people does your organization employ? How many locally?

We typically have over 200 permanent staff. Our staff numbers grow to over 700 during high seasons. The vast majority of these are local.

What type of positions do you offer?  (ex. Full time, part time, seasonal, contract etc.)

We operate year-round, so we hire accordingly. We have permanent positions, both full-time and part-time. We also hire many seasonal staff (roughly 500 for high seasons) to support during our busy summer and Zoolights seasons, with some staff staying on to support operations for the remainder of the year.

What are the benefits of working for your company? Staff discounts, incentive programs, scholarships etc.

By joining the Wilder Institue/Calgary Zoo, you can be part of our team of passionate and dedicated professionals working together to make a difference for wildlife in Canada and around the world. 

We have staff discounts for merchandise and food, ticket discounts, staff passes, family passes, behind-the-scenes experiences, and more!

We might be biased, but we also think we work at one of the coolest spots in town!

Describe opportunities for advancement.

Our organization encourages development – and it all starts with a conversation. Staff are welcome to reach out to their managers and supervisors to provide and receive feedback to help them grow, ask questions about how they can develop and more. Advancement looks different for each individual and so plans for learning and development are made based on that.

List any corporate responsibility initiatives that your organization is currently involved in.

We are a conservation organization that values sustainability for wildlife and wild places – we encourage team members to be involved within the organization and their own communities to make places a little wilder. 

How would someone find out about opportunities at your company? How can a candidate apply?

We have two larger hiring seasons – in the spring from March-June and then in the fall in October.

All our positions are posted online at: https://jobs.jobvite.com/calgaryzoo

Not seeing a job, you are interested in applying for? Candidates can also sign up for job alerts here: https://jobs.jobvite.com/calgaryzoo/jobAlerts

Describe your hiring and interview process? 

All applications are received online. Our departments have designated hiring managers who review each application. For those who are successful, the hiring team may do a phone screen or move directly to setting up an interview. For our seasonal positions, only one interview will be required. If the candidate is successful through the interview, an offer will be extended.

What do you look for in an employee?

We look not only for a passion for conservation, but an enthusiasm for creating an unforgettable guest experience. All staff, regardless of their position, will engage with visitors and play an integral part in the guest experience. 

Our teams are also highly collaborative, so teamwork is the name of the game. 

What type of education/training/equipment do you require? 

This depends on the position. Several of our seasonal positions are open to entry level candidates. We provide on the job training which helps individuals develop skill sets specific to their role and broader, transferrable skill sets such as communication, customer service, and teamwork. We recommend referring to the specific position you are interested in for more details. 

What is the minimum age required to work for your company? Are there different age requirements for different positions?

The minimum age is 15 years old, but many of our positions require staff to be 18 years of age or older as they may be working late at night, driving vehicles, or require ProServe to serve alcohol. 

We recommend referring to the specific position you are interested in for more details.

Provide a wage range for entry level positions.

Most of our entry level seasonal positions start at $15.25 per hour, with some positions eligible for gratuities that are paid hourly.

What are the hours of the business and general shift times? Are there a minimum number of hours someone needs to work per week? Is there flexibility regarding school schedules?

Shifts are set based on business operations, with consideration for staff members’ availability. We operate year-round, with shifts on weekends and weekdays. Our summer operating hours will be 9:00am-6:00pm, so most of our shifts fall in this window. Some positions may require early mornings or late evenings. Zoolights are a special time of the year for us, with several shifts available in the evenings. 

Is a uniform provided or do employees have to pay for it?

A uniform shirt is provided, employees are expected to provide their own pants and shoes. Select positions may also receive additional uniform items.