Working Title: Animal Behavior & Wellbeing Specialist
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Intermediate
Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden
Job ID : 89422
Location : Apple Valley
Telework Eligible : No
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 10/08/2025
Closing Date : 10/28/2025
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoological Gardens-MAPE
Division/Unit : Animal Care, Health, Conservation & Behavior / Behavioral & Wellbeing
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday: 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $25.67 - $37.26 / hourly; $53,598 - $77,798 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
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 position is responsible for ensuring animal welfare assessments and action plans are in place; approves, coaches and consults on animal training plans; and supports the goal setting, planning, implementation, documentation, evaluation and readjustment of behavioral goal and experience based animal enrichment for the animal collection of the Minnesota Zoo in a manner that supports the Minnesota Zoo's mission of connecting people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. The incumbent assists with data analysis and presentation to staff and external audiences. The incumbent must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. The position must be able to drive fleet vehicles throughout the Zoo campus.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Ensure animal welfare assessments and action plans are in place for all assigned species so that animals are provided with optimal and quality physical, physiological and psychological care and the Zoo is in compliance with professional accreditation standards and regulations.
Approves, coaches and consults on animal behavior/husbandry training plans for all assigned species so that animals are provided with optimal and quality physical, physiological and psychological care and the Zoo is in compliance with professional accreditation standards and current best practices.
Support the goal setting, planning, implementation, documentation, evaluation and readjustment of behavioral goal and experience based animal enrichment for all assigned species so that animals are provided with optimal and quality physical, physiological, and psychological care and the Zoo complies with professional accreditation standards and regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of the organization as a viable business partner.
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.
Three (3) years of full-time experience at an AZA accredited zoo and/or aquarium, within the last ten (10) years, and include providing all of the following:
Behavior/husbandry training and enrichment for animals -
Developing, implementing, reviewing, and revising training programs for animals using operant conditioning with positive reinforcement.
Planning, developing and providing enrichment programming for animals.
Animal care and husbandry -
Observation and documentation of animal behaviors.
Psychology, behavior, welfare, etc.
Data analysis and presentation.
Demonstrated ability to apply technical/scientific information that relates to the care and health of animals in human care
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
Written communication skills sufficient to write, prepare, and edit materials such as animal observation records, emails, procedures, presentations, reports, etc., with attention to detail and accuracy
Math skills sufficient to add, subtract, multiply, divide, work with fractions and make basic measurement conversions
Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet, databases, and other software applications sufficient to create, enter, compile, save and retrieve data, graphics, reports, presentations, etc.
Demonstrated ability to maintain a work environment that respects and values differences and diversity
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Zoology, Psychology, Animal Welfare, or closely related field.
Experience developing animal welfare plans and assessments
Demonstrated ability to maintain a work environment that respects and values differences and diversity
Physical Requirements
Current rabies vaccination and negative TB or ability to become Rabies vaccinated and complete a negative TB test within the probationary period and complete ongoing Rabies titer testing. The MN Zoo will cover the cost of your vaccines if you schedule your appointment through our occupational health clinic, upon hire.
Ability to routinely work with potentially dangerous exotic and domestic animals
Ability to differentiate colors
Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions year-round
Ability to negotiate all @types of terrain
Ability to move up to 50 pounds and push/pull up to 90 pounds
Ability to lift and move large objects as a team over uneven terrain
Ability to bend and crouch throughout the day
Ability to climb stairs throughout the day
Ability to tolerate loud noises throughout the day
Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time throughout the day
Ability to wear N95 face masks/respirators
Hand/finger coordination to loosen and tighten, prepare food, hand feed and/or use power tools
Exposure to some zoonotic diseases
Exposure to a wide variety of pesticides and potentially dangerous equipment and machinery on a regular basis
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.
