a) How long have you been in business?
The Calgary Zoo has been in operation since 1929 and is celebrating its 90th year in 2019.
b) How many locations do you have in Calgary and nationally/internationally? What locations are hiring locally in Calgary and area?
Our main base of operations is the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, AB. However, we have conservation projects working across Canada in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Some of these conservation projects are partnered internationally with the US as wildlife doesn’t stop at the border. As well, we have conservation projects on the go in multiple countries in Africa. Currently, we are hiring locally in Calgary to work on grounds at the zoo.
c) How many people does your organization employ? How many locally?The zoo employs anywhere from 300-600 depending on the time of year. We have a lot of seasonal opportunities so we have more staff in the summer than in the winter. The vast majority of these employees work locally in Calgary.
d) What type of positions do you offer? (ex. Full time, part time, seasonal, contract etc.)We have all types of positions at the zoo. About 180 of our employee are full-time permanent staff members. The remainder are part-time, contract, and seasonal employees.
e) What are the benefits of working for your company? Staff discounts, incentive programs, scholarships etc.• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise in the gift shops.
• Complimentary annual pass for you and your immediate family members.
• Opportunities to see new animal exhibits before the public.
• Easy access as we are a stop on the C-Train Blue line or free parking if you drive as part of your membership.
• A fun work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals!
f) Describe opportunities for advancement.Although many of our positions are seasonal, all staff are welcome to apply for any openings that may come up. We have a wide variety of departments and there is potential to move around within the organization. In the past, staff members have moved from departments such as Concessions into Education, Security, Human Resources, ZooReady, and more!
g) List any corporate responsibility initiatives that your organization is currently involved in.
• Green Team Council – this group leads the organization as we strive to act in an environmentally sustainable and responsible manner across all our areas of operation. Initiatives include introducing 3-stream waste sorting, electronic recycling, a Plastic-Free challenge, and more!
• Animal Welfare – We are committed to providing the highest quality of animal care at the Calgary Zoo. You can find out more here: https://www.calgaryzoo.com/why-we-matter/animal-care
• Centre for Conservation Research – this team uses science to sustain threatened wildlife in Canada and around the world. Every position at the zoo contributes to our mission to be Canada’s Leader in Wildlife Conservation. You can find out more here: https://www.calgaryzoo.com/why-we-matter/our-approach
• Guardians of the Wild – We encourage visitors to take 4 actions – buying Forest Stewardship Council products, creating pollinator gardens, supporting the Rainforest Alliance, and making Oceanwise Seafood choices. You can learn more here: https://www.calgaryzoo.com/guardians-of-the-wild
h) What are some entry level career opportunities that your organization offers? Entry level jobs at the zoo include:
• Concessions
• Retail
• Catering Front of House – Servers, Bartenders, Hosts, Banquet Captains
• Catering Back of House – Cooks, Dishwashers, Pastry Chefs
• Customer Experience Guides
i) How would someone find out about opportunities at your company? How can a candidate apply?All career opportunities are posted here: https://www.calgaryzoo.com/zoo-careers. We ask that all candidates apply via our online application. The majority of our hiring happens from March-June and from October-November.
j) Describe your hiring and interview process? Our hiring process starts with a candidate submitting a cover letter and resume via our online application. Hiring managers then review all resumes and invite candidates in for an interview. The interview process is generally a group interview. We highly recommend candidates take the time to research how group interviews work so they are prepared when they come in. Those candidates who are successful are sent an offer letter. Once the offer has been accepted, we send information along to the employee to review before they start.
k) What do you look for in an employee?We look for employees with confidence and customer service skills. We want employees who are willing to go up to a confused customer and offer assistance. Another important quality is reliability – it is very important that we have staff who are excited to be here and show up for their shifts on time every day.
l) What type of education/training/equipment do you require? Our entry level positions do not require education, training, or equipment with one exception. Positions in our Catering Front of House area do require that employees have a valid ProServe Certificate prior to starting.
m) What is the minimum age required to work for your company? Are there different age requirements for different positions?The minimum age required is 15 years old. Positions in Catering require staff to be 18 year or older.
n) Provide a wage range for entry level positions.In general our entry level positions begin at minimum wage.
o) 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?
Depending on the position, shifts can be as early as 6am and go as late as 3am. However, the vast majority of positions fall between 10am-6pm. We do require that staff are able to work weekends and holidays. The minimum shifts requirements change depending on what the position is. All of our departments are very flexible around school schedules and work with staff to make sure a good balance is reached.
p) Is a uniform provided or do employees have to pay for it?Employees are asked to provide black pants and black non-slip shoes. The zoo provides the remainder of the uniform.
