Why Our Natural Sciences Experts Love Their Work.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

"I have been with the City of Edmonton for more than 32 years. I am the Grower responsible for the Feature pyramid. The planning, design, and maintenance of the plant material are my responsibilities."
—Robert Dixon, Muttart Conservatory, Community Services

"I've been in this role for more than two years. It gives me an opportunity to work with a wide variety of animals. And by 'working with,' I mean assisting with veterinary procedures, daily training, feeding, cleaning, health checks, public demonstrations, or almost anything else you can think of that relates to the lives of the animals. Enclosure design and building-population management of animal colonies, and a whole bunch of other responsibilities are what make up my day."
—Trevor Hickey, Zoo Attendant, Community Services

"For more than four years, I've been working with the City of Edmonton. I began as a Public Interpreter, and am now a Zoo Assistant. I describe myself as a relief keeper, in that I'm trained to work with most of the animals at the zoo on a variety of shifts so that I may relieve the more animal-focused keepers on their days off."
—DeLeigh Yobb, Zoo Assistant I, Community Services

"Having worked for the City for more than six years, I look after a wide variety of animals, including the zoo's elephant, Lucy. I clean enclosures, prepare diets, give medications, enrich the animals, and observe them. I am also in charge of the zoo's amphibian collection, which is made up of 17 species and 140 animals."
—Wayne Woods, Zoo Attendant I, Community Services

SOME OF THE BEST REASONS TO JOIN US

"Careers with the City of Edmonton are a good way to gain experience, be reasonably well paid, and work with a wide variety of people."
—Wayne Woods, Zoo Attendant I, Community Services

"I would say one of the best reasons to join the City of Edmonton is if you're the kind of person who has a sense of wanting to give back to the community. It gives you a chance to be a member of an organization whose main job is to provide for the citizens of Edmonton."
—Robert Dixon, Muttart Conservatory, Community Services

"I think someone should join the City of Edmonton if they want a stable job with a lot of room for advancement and growth, and if they like to be challenged to be their best. I don't think of it as working for a company or a corporation. I think of it as working for the people of Edmonton."
—Trevor Hickey, Zoo Attendant, Community Services

"I stay because I love the variety of animals that are housed here and have become attached to a number of them. The City of Edmonton provides good benefits. And the zoo is exciting due to its family-oriented aspect and the number of exotic species it houses. Plus, it's on the verge of becoming bigger and more modern. It will be interesting to see how that unfolds, and I wish to be a part of the growth process."
—DeLeigh Yobb, Zoo Assistant I, Community Services

QUALITIES THAT DEFINE THE CITY AS AN EMPLOYER

"Three qualities that best define the City of Edmonton as an employer are these: fair, accepting, and in motion. As for my department, I would say: fun, vibrant and challenging. A phrase I use to describe where I work is 'Work hard and have fun.' In my opinion, working in the public sector is quite a bit nicer than in the private sector. I think the main differences lie in accountability and in the culture. It's very accepting."
—Trevor Hickey, Zoo Attendant, Community Services

"Here are some of the qualities that I would say define the City as an employer: it pays well and it lets you be part of a greater whole. People who do well here tend to be highly motivated, and generally have enthusiastic personalities."
—Robert Dixon, Muttart Conservatory, Community Services

"For me, the three qualities that come to mind regarding the City as an employer are these: good benefits, great vacation, and many diverse career options. Regarding the zoo, I would say that the word 'innovative' best describes it."
—DeLeigh Yobb, Zoo Assistant I, Community Services

"Considering the City as an employer, I'd say that the following qualities or ideas come to mind: open to change, push yourself to succeed, and do the best you can. The culture makes for a very good work experience."
—Wayne Woods, Zoo Attendant I, Community Services

WHY EDMONTON IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK

"The City offers a diverse culture and interesting career challenges. It is a big city and there are many festivals and events happening here. As an employee of the City, there is never a dull moment."
—DeLeigh Yobb, Zoo Assistant I, Community Services

"There are too many reasons to enumerate! But I would start with the most obvious ones: the locale, the vibrancy of the people, and the festivals all make The City of Edmonton a great place to workÑand a great place to live. And I have an organization behind me to enable me in all my efforts."
—Robert Dixon, Muttart Conservatory, Community Services

"It is exciting, fun, challenging, and the pay is good. The experience I have had working with the City has been nothing short of exceptional. I am able to connect with not only the people of the City, but through the City. I can educate myself and grow in knowledge by connecting with others in my profession across the country."
—Trevor Hickey, Zoo Attendant, Community Services

"It's a great place to work because they give you so many opportunities to excel. I have worked with the City for about six years, and have stayed so long because I love my job."
—Wayne Woods, Zoo Attendant I, Community Services

THE MOST REWARDING PART OF A CAREER HERE

"The City of Edmonton is a great employer and has so many unique positions. As a Zoo Attendant, I have had opportunities to excel and learn new things. My personal/professional highlights working with the City include getting the endangered frogs I work with to breed and produce tadpoles."
—Wayne Woods, Zoo Attendant I, Community Services

"I suppose the most rewarding part of my career with the City would be the idea that for most of my working life, I have created beauty. For these past 32 years, I've enjoyed where I was working and what I was doing."
—Robert Dixon, Muttart Conservatory, Community Services

"I am able to share my knowledge and passion, and educate people about things that I love. I also like being able to connect with the people of the City about issues that I—and they—care about. A personal highlight for me is being able to form close relationships with the animals that I work with."
—Trevor Hickey, Zoo Attendant, Community Services

"The best personal reward is the relationships I have developed with co-workers and the animals. Developing relationships with the animals is very rewarding in that there is nothing quite like a panda or lemur knowing who you are and giving you that special greeting once they becoming familiar with you. Professionally, I am always learning new facts about different animals. Learning how to train animals for husbandry purposes is very interesting and challenging. What is also rewarding is when an animal responds well to the training we provide."
—DeLeigh Yobb, Zoo Assistant I, Community Services