Working Title: Browse Technician Student Worker
Job Class: Student Worker Para Professional
Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden
Job ID : 91172
Location : Apple Valley
Telework Eligible : No
Full/Part Time : Intermittent
Regular/Temporary : Limited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 01/06/2026
Closing Date : 01/27/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoo Gardens-Insuff Wk Tm
Division/Unit : Animal Care, Health, Conservation & Behavior / Animal Health / Animal Nutrition
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift; hours vary, between 7:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Days of Work : Sunday - Thursday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $17.84 hourly
Classified Status : Unclassified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 218 - Insufficient Work Time/Unrep
End Date : August 30, 2026
FLSA Status : Nonexempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No
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 limited with an intermittent fluctuating work schedule depending on the season and event needs, and may work up to 40 hours per week. The specific days and hours per week will vary and include weekends, school breaks, and holidays.
Estimated work timeframe: mid-April to August 30, 2026.
This position will assist with acquisition, distribution, and storage of browse (leafy branches from trees and shrubs) for animal diets. Activities may include operating a chainsaw to harvest leafy branches, driving a vehicle (with or without trailer) to deliver branches to various animal departments at the zoo, and working with volunteers or staff on winter browse preservation. This position will support the Animal Nutritionist in meeting the dietary needs of zoo herbivores.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Demonstrate and maintain appropriate workplace behaviors and protocols as established by the Minnesota Zoo so that animal's health and well-being is maintained, staff have a safe and respectful work environment, and guests have a welcoming and extraordinary experience.
Acquire browse in sufficient quantities for animal diets through a combination of receiving and inspecting donated branches and harvesting browse from approved areas. Positively identify all branches prior to distribution to ensure safety for animal consumption.
Distribute acquired browse to animal departments in sufficient quantities for animal diets.
Work with other staff and volunteers to preserve browse for winter through either freezing or ensiling methods.
Maintain spaces so that proper health and quarantine procedures are assured.
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.
To be eligible for appointment as a Student Worker you must be a student enrolled in an educational program or planning to enroll within three months. Students may be "off" for the summer or for one semester/quarter and remain employed as student workers, but such absences cannot exceed one semester/quarter in a year. As a student you must be enrolled in a post-secondary or graduate program. If a student is enrolled at a credit-granting institution he/she must carry at least six semester (nine quarter) credits. If enrolled at a non-credit granting institution or one that only offers one credit per class, a student must be taking two or more classes per semester/quarter. Any lesser credit (class) load shall be treated as a semester/quarter off. Graduate students must be enrolled in at least two courses or making progress on a dissertation. You will be asked to complete an Educational Verification form prior to appointment, and every (6) six months thereafter. Must be at least 16 years of age and a student enrolled in high school or a post-secondary or graduate program or planning on enrolling within three (3) months.
Other requirements:
Must be a student enrolled in high school or a post-secondary or graduate program or planning on enrolling within three (3) months
Valid driver's license
Basic tree/shrub identification skills
Strict attention to safe equipment operation
Preferred Qualifications
Experience driving a vehicle with trailer
Experience operating chainsaw
Physical Requirements
Able to repeatedly lift 40-60 lbs
Able to spend long hours standing or walking
Able to work outdoors in all weather
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.
