A convicted child sex offender has been working in close proximity to children, it's been revealed.

A 9News investigation has uncovered the man's criminal past, despite being employed for months at a popular south-east Queensland petting zoo.

The City Chicks Farm and Cafe in Samford Valley is fast becoming a popular family attraction north-west of Brisbane.

It's promoted as a petting zoo and a place for parents and children to cool off and have a swim, pat the animals, play on the jumping castle and grab a bite to eat.

But visiting families might not know one of its workers, Steven James Harvey, has a serious criminal history.

In 2017, the District Court in Brisbane found him guilty of 15 sex offences, some against children.

They include two counts of maintaining an unlawful relation

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