Working Title: Farm/Llama Trek Student Worker
Job Class: Student Worker Para Professional
Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden
Job ID : 91305
Location : Apple Valley
Telework Eligible : No
Full/Part Time : Intermittent
Regular/Temporary : Limited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 03/27/2026
Closing Date : 04/09/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoo Gardens-Insuff Wk Tm
Division/Unit : Animal Care, Health, Conservation & Behavior/Animal Care / Farm-Llama Trek
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Varies; Five 8-hour shifts including 1-2 weekend days.
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $17.84 / hourly
Classified Status : Unclassified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 218 - Insufficient Work Time/Unrep
End Date : mid-September
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 evenings, weekends, school breaks, and holidays.
Estimated work timeframe: mid-May to mid-September, each year.
This position is anticipated to continue until the selected candidate completes their educational program.
This position performs basic husbandry for the animals in the summer exhibit collection and assists with work in the seasonal and farm exhibits. Responsibilities include preparing and feeding established diets, cleaning and maintaining safe, secure, and sanitary animal habitats and exhibit spaces, and ensuring 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.
A ssist in implementing animal exhibit demonstrations s o 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.
A ssist 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.
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
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 follow basic record keeping procedures
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
Current valid driver's license
Preferred Qualifications
Skills in the areas of animal management
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.
