Veterinary Technician Assistant - Interpretive Naturalist Aide - State of Minnesota : Job Details

Working Title: Veterinary Technician Assistant

Job Class: Interpretive Naturalist Aide

Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden

• Job ID : 86770

• 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 : 08/05/2025

• Closing Date : 08/25/2025

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoological Gardens-AFSCME

• Division/Unit : Animal Care, Health, Conservation & Behavior / Animal Health

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Wo rk : TypicallySunday - Thursday, 7:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.; varies/may change for unique circumstances. May include 1 or 2 weekend days.

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $21.04 - $28.35 / hourly; $43,931 - $59,194 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 207 - Technical/AFSCME

• Work Area : Animal Health

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities ( : 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 performing husbandry and enrichment for the animals in the care of the Minnesota Zoo, including preparing and feeding established diets and cleaning and maintaining safe, secure and sanitary animal habitats and exhibit spaces. 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:

• Prepare, deliver and/or feed animals according to established diet protocols and within daily deadlines so that the highest level of animal nutrition and animal health is maintained.

• Perform cleaning of animal habitats and holding areas and staff workspaces and perform shifting of animals according to established protocols so that animal and staff areas are clean, sanitary, attractive and properly maintained and animals are safe and properly secured at all times.

• Assist the Animal Health team in delivering the medical program to reduce suffering, morbidity, and mortality and promote a healthier animal collection.

• Perform routine animal observation and enrichment according to established protocols so that the optimal health and welfare of each animal is maintained.

• Assist with animal training for preventive medical tasks according to established protocols so that the optimal health and welfare of each animal is maintained.

• Attend and/or complete all assigned reading and training within deadlines so that compliance with all applicable regulations, standards, policies and procedures 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, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

• Experience working with and caring for animals includes preparing animal diets, feeding animals, maintaining sanitary animal living conditions, observing animal behavior, and maintaining animal records. As part of this experience, demonstrated ability to do the following: to learn and understand the basic biology of multiple exotic or wildlife animal species; to observe and accurately and completely report and record animal behaviors and activities; to understand and apply technical/scientific information that relates to the care and health of animals in human care.

• 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 records, emails, procedures, 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 and other software applications are sufficient to create emails and enter, compile, save and retrieve data

• Demonstrated ability to maintain a work environment that respects and values differences and diversity

• Current valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications

• Two-year college degree in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Management, Natural Resources, Ecology or closely related animal science field

• Experience working with and caring for animals at an AZA accredited zoo or aquarium including preparing animal diets, feeding animals, maintaining sanitary animal living conditions, observing animal behavior, and maintaining animal records.

• Experience providing medical husbandry (administering oral medications, reading and interpreting prescriptions or treatment sheets, assist feeding, bottle feeding, other nursing care) of zoo or wildlife species, such as in a veterinary practice or wildlife rehabilitation facility.

• Experience as a veterinary technician assistant at a zoological park, veterinary college affiliated with a zoo, or private practice affiliated with a zoo with large diverse exotic clientele (or aquarium).

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.

• Exposure to some zoonotic diseases and potent immobilization agents/drugs for treatment of animals

• Exposure to a wide variety of pesticides and potentially dangerous equipment and machinery on a regular basis

• 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

• Ability to lift and move large objects as a team over uneven terrain

• Ability to shovel to clean animal areas and work areas

• Ability to bend and crouch throughout the day

• Ability to climb stairs and ladders throughout the day

• Ability to tolerate loud noises throughout the day

• Ability to stand for long periods of time throughout the day

• Ability to wear N95 face masks/respirators

• Ability to grip 34 pounds to operate power washer intermittently for up to 60 minutes

• Hand/finger coordination to loosen and tighten, prepare food, hand feed occasionally

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-###-#### or email [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.