Zoo Keeper – Farm​/Animal Care Technician

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Created by the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Zoo opened in 1978 with a mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. Cutting-edge exhibits provide exciting experiences with animals and their habitats introducing guests to species from around the globe. Education programs engage audiences at the Zoo, throughout the region, and around world. Conservation programs protect endangered species and preserve critical ecosystems.

This position will work at the Wells Fargo Family Farm at the Minnesota Zoo.

This position provides animal and habitat care and maintenance so that healthy, well-adjusted animals, and attractive, instructive exhibits are presented to guests of the Minnesota Zoo in a manner that supports the Zoo’s mission of connecting people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. The incumbent ensures appropriate welfare of the animals. The incumbent operates fleet vehicles to move around the Zoo campus.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Perform animal husbandry procedures as established so that the highest level of animal health and exhibition are maintained.
• Prepare, present, and participate in interpretive programs for Zoo guests, staff, and/or volunteers so that staff and guests receive accurate information on the biology, natural history, and conservation of the species in an educational and entertaining manner.
• Perform plant and horticulture procedures as established so that the highest level of plant health and exhibition are maintained in all vegetable and flower gardens, orchards, and other planted areas.
• Perform maintenance and general cleaning of habitats and work areas as assigned so that a neat and clean appearance and pleasant and safe experience are provided for all guests.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience as a full-time Zookeeper at a zoo or aquarium; or veterinary hospital involving direct animal care and maintenance or commercial livestock operation. Experience must be within the last ten (10) years and include all of the following:
• Working with animals, including handling and presenting in a show setting.
• Observation of animal behaviors.
• Preparation and feeding of animal diets.
• Preparation and maintenance of detailed animal records.
• Maintenance of sanitary animal living conditions.
• Training animals using operant conditioning with positive reinforcement.
• Customer service skills sufficient to work with co-workers and guests courteously and respectfully.
• Ability to interpret technical literature that relates to the health and management of animals.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a work environment that respects and values differences and diversity.
• Unrestricted Class D Driver's license with a clear driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• College degree in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Management, Environmental Education, Ecology or closely related field.
• Experience working with and caring for animals at an AZA accredited Zoo or aquarium including preparing diets, feeding animals, maintaining sanitary animal living conditions, observing animal behavior, and maintaining animal records.
• Experience training marine mammals for medical behaviors, enrichment, exercise, and public interpretation/educational programs
• Experience interpreting animal behavior and providing species specific information to guests
• Experience with public interpretation of animals, animal behavior and training
• Experience working with animals in an ambassador setting, including handling and presenting for educational programs for large audiences, small audiences, and/or small groups
• Experience with training and/or husbandry of pinnipeds
• Experience with training and/or husbandry of sea otters
• Advanced or Rescue SCUBA certification or equivalent
• Ability to work as a firearms team member

Determined based on education and qualifications

Apply online by Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Minnesota Zoological Gardens
13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124