Zoo Keeper



Zoo Keeper

Salary

$47,236.80 - $64,833.60 Annually

Location

Saint Paul, MN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

23-04156O

Department

Parks and Recreation

Opening Date

09/29/2023

Closing Date

10/18/2023 11:59 PM Central

About the Position

Join our Como Park Zoo and Conservatory team!

Here's what you can expect to do in this role

  • Perform a complex range of activities required for the care and management of animals in a municipal zoo collection including maintaining a safe, healthy, clean, and attractive living environment. 
  • Feed animals, administer medication, and assist with veterinary procedures. 
  • Observe, interpret, and document animal behaviors, health status, and food consumption. 
  • Participate in coordination of zoo animal shipments or arrivals. 
  • Assist with immobilization and transfer of zoo animals, respond to emergency situations, and administer first aid treatment as necessary.
  • Educate and provide information to visitors and the general public. 
  • Maintain all records required by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). 
Benefits
The City of Saint Paul offers an excellent benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions and paid time off.  

Essential Functions are the functions that the individual holding the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation. The Essential Functions for this position are identified in the Supplemental Information section of the Zoo Keeper job description.  

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
For over one hundred years, Como Park has played a vital role in meeting the recreational needs of residents of Saint Paul and surrounding communities. The original vision was to create an outdoor haven for the area’s urban population and provide a wide variety of free or reasonably priced recreational activities, services, and educational opportunities for all park visitors.

Today Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is operated by the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department. The zoo features a seal island, a large cat exhibit, a variety of aquatic life, primates, birds, African hoofed animals, and a world class polar bear exhibit.
Find out more here about the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory here. 

Equity and Inclusion
The City of Saint Paul’s mission is to integrate equity and inclusion into how we approach all our work. Our vision is to be committed to building an equitable and inclusive city that will shift culture in city processes and policies, eliminate structural inequities, and ensure timely and relevant access to services, resources, support, and opportunity to every person in Saint Paul.

Position Requirements

A Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Zoology, or related field and one year of experience as a zoo keeper or equivalent experience performing a range of activities for the care and management of animals at an accredited institution.

An Associate's Degree in Biology, Zoology, or a related field and three years of experience as a zoo keeper or equivalent experience performing a range of activities for the care and management of animals at an accredited institution.

Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota Class D Driver's License, or equivalent out of state driver's license.

How to Apply

  1. Submit a City of Saint Paul online application, including answers to the Supplemental Questionnaire.
  2. Upload or submit the following required document via the online application system, mail, in person, email, or fax. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.) 
    1. A resume -- please ensure your vacancy related experience is documented

Learn more about our Hiring Process

Assessment: Qualifications Rating

The Qualifications Rating is an assessment of your completed application and answers to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Be as specific and detailed as possible in completing your application and questionnaire. You must submit your completed application and supplemental questionnaire by the application deadline.

General Information

Open Job Posting: This posting is open to anyone who meets the position requirements.

Eligible Lists Created from Open Job Posting: You must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass the assessment and be considered for the position. Non-promotion eligible lists typically are pass/fail and promotion eligible lists are typically ranked. If the open eligible list created contains a veteran, one open list will exist. When there are no veterans remaining on the eligible list (i.e. hired, withdrawn) from an open list that also contains promotional candidates, two lists will be created: one open list and one promotion list. If two lists exist, the promotion list must be exhausted before the open list is considered.

Final Selection Process: Those who pass will be placed on an eligible list for approximately six months and all will be notified of their status. A Hiring Manager will consider those applicants eligible for hire. You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process which may include an interview, job simulation, work sample submission, or other evaluation method.  

Condition of Employment: This position requires a medical examination, driver’s license check, and a background check which may include criminal history, and employment history as a condition of employment. Candidates will be required to submit proof of education to Human Resources upon conditional job offer. The City of Saint Paul encourages individuals to apply for positions regardless of criminal history.

Michelle LeBow at 651-266-6519
200 City Hall Annex
25 West Fourth Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Fax: 651-266-6490
E-mail: jobs@stpaul.gov
 
To refer to this information, we recommend you print this job posting before you apply. For technical assistance regarding the online application, please call 1-855-524-5627 during regular business hours. Additionally, City of Saint Paul staff are available for application assistance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 651-266-6500.

Veteran’s Preference: If you are a veteran and would like to receive Veteran’s preference in accordance with MN Statute 197.455, you must submit a photocopy of your DD214 preferably at time of application. Click here for more information.

The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The City of Saint Paul offers a competitive benefits package for permanent, certified positions. Temporary positions are not eligible for benefits.

Benefits vary with each position and the collective bargaining agreement. Benefits may include:

City Paid Benefits
  • Health Insurance
  • Vacation/Holidays
  • Sick Leave
  • Life Insurance
  • Subsidized Metro Bus Pass
  • Deferred Compensation
  • Retirement Program
Optional Benefits
  • Dental
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Disability Insurance
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
  • Long Term Care Insurance
     
For a detailed overview, visit General Benefits.

01
The thorough completion of the supplemental questions is very important in the screening and assessment processes. Therefore, a lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application, may result in failure or disqualification for this position. In addition, documentation of work experience referred to in the supplemental questions must be included in the application. Your education, training, and experience are subject to verification. I understand that giving false information, failure to accurately represent myself, or not providing required documentation as listed on the job announcement will result in disqualification from this position.
  • Yes
02
Do you possess a Minnesota Class D Driver's License or equivalent out-of-state driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No
03
Which best describes how you meet the requirements for the Zoo Keeper position.
  • An Associate's Degree in Biology, Zoology, or a related field and three years of experience as a zoo keeper or equivalent experience performing a range of activities for the care and management of animals at an accredited institution.
  • A Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Zoology, or related field and one year of experience as a zoo keeper or equivalent experience performing a range of activities for the care and management of animals at an accredited institution.
  • None of the above
04
Please indicate experience with the following activities for animals under your care and management. Check all thatapply.
  • Assisting Veterinarians in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment
  • Diet preparation, distribution, and management
  • Environmental enrichment
  • Behavioral observation
  • Exhibit maintenance
  • Medication distribution
  • Record keeping
  • Other
  • None of the above
05
If you selected "other" in the previous question, please describe below.
06
Which best describes your experience engaging with and providing information to the public about zoo inhabitants?
  • Less than one year
  • At least one year, but less than two years
  • Two or more years
  • None of the above
07
Please indicate which accredited institution you obtained your experience from. Describe your experience as the primary care giver for zoo animals. Include all aspects of animal husbandry for which you were responsible.
08
I am currently a Right Track Worker or have been employed by the City of Saint Paul as a Right Track Worker in the past.
  • Yes
  • No
09
RECRUITMENT: How did you first find your way to our website to apply for this position? (check all that apply)
  • City of Saint Paul website
  • City of Saint Paul employee
  • City of Saint Paul job interest card
  • City of Saint Paul walk-in
  • City of Saint Paul Posted! newsletter
  • City of Saint Paul Gov.Delivery notifications
  • Friend or family member
  • League of Minnesota Cities website
  • Governmentjobs.com website
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Indeed.com website
  • ZipRecruiter
  • Pollen website
  • MinnesotaWorks.net
  • College or University
  • Community organization
  • Job fair
  • Professional association
  • Saint Paul Elevate Session
  • People of Color Career Fair
  • Other
10
RECRUITMENT: If not indicated above, please specify where you heard about the position (e.g., specific organization/website name, City of Saint Paul employee name).

Required Question

Agency
City of Saint Paul
Address
25 West Fourth Street, Suite 200 City Hall Annex

Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55102
Phone
651-266-6500