**Working Title: Farm-Llama Trek Animal Care Technician 2** **Job Class: Interpretive Naturalist Aide** **Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden** + **Job ID** : 91387 + **Location** : Apple Valley + **Telework Eligible** : No + **Full/Part Time** : Full-Time + **Regular/Temporary** : Seasonal + **Who May Apply** : Open to all qualified job seekers + **Date Posted** : 01/30/2026 + **Closing Date** : 02/19/2026 + **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** : Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoological Gardens-AFSCME + **Division/Unit** :Animal Care, Health, Conservation & Behavior/Animal Care / Farm-Llama Trek + **Work Shift/Work Hours** : Day Shift; 6:00 A.M. - 2:30P.M., including occasional shifts of 10:00 A.M. - 6:30 P.M + **Days of Work** : five 8-hour days, including 1-2 weekend days + **Travel Required** : No + **Salary Range:** $21.36 - $28.78 / hourly; $44,599 - $60,092 / annually + **Classified Status** : Classified + **Bargaining Unit/Union** : 207 - Technical/AFSCME + **Work Area** : Operations: Farm/Northern Trail + **FLSA Status** : Nonexempt + Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes **The work you'll do is more than just a job.** At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities. This posting may be used to fill multiple positions. Working season is expected to be mid-April to mid-September each year. This is a second-level position responsible for performing husbandry care for animals in the zoo’s Farm and Llama Trek areas. Responsibilities include: preparing and feeding established diets and cleaning and maintaining safe, secure and sanitary animal habitats and exhibit spaces. This position is also responsible for the closing and securing of area barns nightly. 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. **Duties include but are not limited to:** + Assist with cleaning of animal habitats, exhibit areas, grounds and public spaces, and staff workspaces and perform shifting of animals according to established protocols so that animal, public, and staff areas are clean, sanitary, attractive, and properly maintained and animals are safe and properly secured at all times. + Assist with preparing and feeding animal diets as established so that the highest level of animal health is maintained. + Assist in implementing animal exhibit demonstrations so that guests receive accurate information on the biology, natural history, and conservation of the species in an educational and entertaining manner. + Assist with observing and recording animal behavior activities so that data are available to improve animal management and exhibition. + Assist with implementing animal training and enrichment program so that animals are provided with optimal care and quality medical, physiological and psychological well-being. + Assist with implementing animal treatment plans so that the highest level of animal health is maintained. + Perform other duties and special projects as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and its projects and maintain the Minnesota Zoo. **Minimum Qualifications** **The following qualifications are required of all applicants seeking consideration for this position. Only applicants whose application materials clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for the position. To ensure accurate evaluation, your resume must clearly describe your experience in the required areas. For each job, include whether it was full-time, part-time, or intermittent/on-call; how many hours per week you worked; and the month and year you started and ended.** + Six (6) months’ experience working with and caring for animals including preparing animal diets, feeding animals, maintaining sanitary animal living conditions, observing animal behavior, and maintaining animal records + Current valid driver’s license + 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 + Ability to understand and apply technical/scientific information that relates to the care and health of animals in human care + Ability to work independently + Ability to operate equipment to accomplish assigned tasks such as basic hand tools, light power tools, motorized equipment and personal computers + Ability to understand and perform assigned tasks without constant reminders + Ability to work weekends, nights and holidays as needed **Preferred Qualifications** + Experience working with and caring for animals at an AZA accredited zoo or aquarium including preparing animal diets, feeding animals, maintaining sanitary animal living conditions, observing animal behavior, and maintaining animal records + Experience caring for domestic animals + Experience leading educational tours **Physical Requirements** + Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions for long periods of time throughout the day + Ability to negotiate all types of terrain + Ability to occasionally shovel soil, manure + Ability to move up to 50 pounds occasionally + Ability to push/pull up to 90 pounds + Ability to bend and crouch occasionally throughout the day + Ability to climb stairs occasionally throughout the day + Ability to tolerate loud noises occasionally throughout the day + Ability to wear N95 face masks/respirators **Additional Requirements** Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. It is policy of the Minnesota Zoo that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components: + Conflict of Interest Review + Criminal History Check including fingerprinting + Education Verification + Employment Reference / Records Check + License / Certification Verification AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status. Reasonable accommodations will be made 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 careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.