Farm-Llama Trek Animal Care Technician​/Interpretive Naturalist Aide

The Zoo encompasses a 485-acre campus and is home to nearly 5,000 animals with about 1.5 million guests visiting annually. The Zoo is a coordinator of international conservation and breeding programs and is the State’s largest environmental educator. The Zoo’s conservation programs protect endangered species and preserve critical ecosystems and its education programs engage audiences at the Zoo, throughout our region, and around the world.

Working Title:
Farm-Llama Trek Animal Care Technician 2
Job Class:
Interpretive Naturalist Aide
Agency:
Minnesota Zoological Garden

• Job : 91387
• Location
  :
  Apple Valley
• 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.
  
  - 2:30 P.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

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 work spaces 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.

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…