Laborer General - Animal Care Technician 1

The Zoo encompasses a 485 acre campus and is home to more than 5,300 animals with about 1.29 million guests visiting annually. The Zoo is a coordinator of international conservation and breeding programs and is the State’s largest environmental educator with over 400,000 participants annually. The Zoo’s conservation programs protect endangered species and preserve critical ecosystems and its education programs engage audiences at the Zoo, throughout our region, and around the world

Working Title: Animal Care Technician 1
Job Class: Laborer-General
Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoological Gardens-AFSCME
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Days of Work: Thursday - Monday
• Classified Status: Classified
• Travel Required: No
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes
• Closing Date: 08/24/2023
• Date Posted: 08/10/2023
• Work Area: Aquariums
• Salary Range: $17.23 - $21.54 / hourly; $35,976 - $44,975 / annually
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Division/Unit: Biological Programs / Aquatics
• Telework Eligible: No
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 203 - Service/AFSCME

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

This is an entry-level position responsible for performing basic husbandry for the animals cared for by the aquariums team at the Minnesota Zoo, including preparing and feeding established diets and cleaning and maintaining safe, secure and sanitary animal habitats and exhibit spaces. The incumbent ensures appropriate welfare of the animals in a manner that supports the Minnesota Zoo’s mission of connecting people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife. The incumbent operates fleet vehicles to move around the Zoo campus.

Minimum Qualifications

• Open water SCUBA certification or equivalent
• Ability to understand and apply technical/scientific information that relates to the care and health of animals in human care
• Math skills sufficient to add, subtract, multiply, divide, work with fractions and make basic measurement conversions
• Current valid driver’s license
• Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet and other software applications sufficient to create emails and enter, compile, save and retrieve data
• Interpersonal communication skills sufficient to effectively communicate and work with colleagues and guests from different backgrounds with courtesy, respect, and interest in positive problem-solving
• Ability to observe and accurately and completely report and record animal behaviors and activities
• Written communication skills sufficient to write, prepare, and edit materials such as animal records, emails, procedures, etc., with attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to learn and understand the basic biology of multiple exotic or wildlife animal species
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a work environment that respects and values differences and diversity
• CPR and 1st AID certification
• Ability to work with and care for exotic animals or wildlife at a zoo or aquarium and prepare animal diets, feed animals, maintain sanitary animal living conditions, and observe changes in animal behavior

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced or Rescue SCUBA certification or equivalent
• Internships and/or experience working with and caring for animals at a zoo or aquarium including preparing animal diets, feeding animals, maintaining sanitary animal living conditions, observing animal behavior, and maintaining animal records
• Two-year degree in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Management, Natural Resources, Ecology or closely related animal science field

Physical Requirements

• Ability to bend and crouch throughout the day
• Ability to shovel to clean animal areas and work areas
• Ability to move up to 50 pounds
• Ability to grip 34 pounds to operate power washer intermittently for up to 60 minutes
• Current or ability to become Rabies vaccinated and TB tested
• Ability to negotiate all types of terrain
• Ability to wear N95 face masks/respirators
• Hand/finger coordination to loose and tighten, prepare food, hand feed occasionally
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders throughout the day
• Ability to stand for long periods of time throughout the day
• Ability to lift and move large objects as a team over uneven terrain
• Ability to tolerate loud noises throughout the day
• Ability to differentiate colors
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions year-round

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of the following:

• Employment verification, criminal background, including fingerprinting, and driver's license checks.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Elizabeth Lefholz at [email protected] or 952-431-9255.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Elizabeth Lefholz at [email protected].

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Training and professional development
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Wellness programs and resources
• Dependent care spending account
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Public pension plan
• Paid parental leave
• Prescription drug coverage
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision coverage
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] and indicate what assistance is needed.