Full Time Metro Waste Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $24.64 - $31.43 Hourly
Location : Oregon Zoo, OR
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-3025-Zoo
Department: Oregon Zoo
Division: Guest Services Division
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 8/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Position Summary
Hello, we're Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.
The Oregon Zoo Guest Services Division is looking for a Custodial Operations Lead to lead day-to-day custodial operations across a large, active, public campus. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who takes pride in clean, safe, well-run facilities and can set high standards while supporting staff, guests, contractors, and partner departments.
As the Custodial Lead you will

• Lead, assign, prioritize, and monitor daily custodial work across assigned shifts to ensure work is completed safely, thoroughly, and to Zoo standards.
• Adjust staffing and assignments for breaks, absences, call-outs, events, emergencies, changing priorities, and operational needs.
• Conduct shift audits and quality-control checks of restrooms, public areas, waste areas, equipment, supplies, storage areas, and assigned zones.
• Train and coach staff on cleaning procedures, equipment, chemicals, personal protective equipment, safety standards, Zoo expectations, and standard operating procedures, regardless of employee tenure.
• Provide direct, respectful corrective guidance when work does not meet standards, and communicate performance, attendance, conduct, safety, and follow-through concerns to the Custodial Manager.
• Own and drive campus custodial projects, including project planning, staff direction, safety review, quality checks, progress tracking, and biweekly updates to the manager.
• Build, refine, and update checklists, standard operating procedures, shift expectations, training tools, and procedure manuals to improve consistency and accountability.
• Inspect, organize, and maintain equipment, vehicles, tools, supplies, chemicals, personal protective equipment, and storage areas; remove unsafe equipment from service and coordinate repairs or replacement needs.
• Coordinate with Security, Maintenance, Events, Living Collections, Admissions, contractors, vendors, public officials, volunteers, and other departments to maintain safe, effective operations.
• Perform Custodian-level duties when needed, including restroom cleaning, waste removal, floor care, pressure washing, deep cleaning, light maintenance, event support, and vehicle or equipment operation.

Attributes for success

• Strong work ethic, reliability, punctuality, urgency, and personal accountability.
• Ability to organize complex daily operations, track follow-up items, maintain records, and prevent work from falling through the cracks.
• Ability to lead from the front while balancing direction, delegation, coaching, documentation, and hands-on custodial support.
• Sound judgment and the ability to make timely decisions with limited supervision while knowing when to escalate issues to management.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to verify work through audits, inspections, and follow-up rather than relying only on verbal confirmation.
• Ability to communicate clearly by radio, email, written notes, shift handoffs, spreadsheets, scheduling tools, and in-person conversations.
• Ability to hold staff accountable in a fair, consistent, respectful, and confidential manner, including difficult conversations when needed.
• Strong technical knowledge of custodial procedures, restroom sanitation, floor care, pressure washing, biohazard response, chemical handling, waste operations, and equipment use.
• Commitment to safety, proper PPE, hazard recognition, stop-work judgment, and compliance with Metro policies, procedures, laws, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Openness to change, continuous improvement, cultural humility, teamwork, public service, and building a respectful, inclusive, accountable work environment.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro's goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.
TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.
Minimum qualifications

• Five years of custodial or warehouse experience, AND
• Two years' experience leading and directing employees or similar higher-level responsibilities, such as organization, record keeping, facilitating projects and overseeing employees; OR
• Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities

Required:

• Valid driver's license and the ability to be insured by Metro's insurance carrier

Must obtain within 60 days of starting work:

• Blood Borne Pathogen Training
• Emergency and Safety Procedures Training
• HAZMAT Awareness Level Training
• Forklift Certification

Working Conditions
This position works throughout the Oregon Zoo in indoor and outdoor environments. Work may occur in but not limited to rain, heat, cold, wind, darkness, wet conditions, temperature extremes, uneven terrain, animal areas, public spaces, restrooms, service roads, food-service areas, confined spaces, and elevated locations.
The work is physically demanding and requires extensive walking across a large, hilly campus; prolonged standing; repeated bending, reaching, twisting, crouching, kneeling, climbing, pushing, pulling, carrying, and lifting. Employees must be able to consistently lift and carry up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 100 pounds using safe work practices with or without reasonable accommodation.
Employees may be exposed to cleaning chemicals, bodily fluids, biohazards, contaminated materials, dust, dirt, grease, wastewater, broken glass, sharp objects, strong odors, noise, vibration, moving machinery, vehicles, and powered equipment. Required PPE must be used whenever applicable.
The position includes frequent interruptions, urgent requests, changing priorities, guest activity, special events, staffing shortages, equipment failures, and emergencies. The successful candidate must remain alert, calm, professional, and safety-focused while directing staff and maintaining operations.
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply
If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
Like to have qualifications
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Majority of experience leading custodial operations in a large public venue
• Experience assigning work with an equity perspective, conducting quality inspections, and documenting follow-up.
• Experience training staff on custodial equipment, chemicals, PPE, safety procedures, restroom sanitation, floor care, pressure washing, or biohazard response.
• Experience using email, spreadsheets, scheduling systems, inventory tools & programs, work-tracking tools, or other computer-based records. (Certifications to back these hard skills up)
• Experience operating or coordinating the use of scrubbers, extractors, polishers, pressure washers, lifts, forklifts, waste equipment, utility vehicles, or similar equipment.
• Experience working in a union environment and applying work standards consistently and fairly.
• Experience planning or leading projects that require coordination across shifts, departments, contractors, or public-facing operations.
• Ability to work early mornings, days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, events, overtime, and alternate shifts as operational needs require.
• Ability to work fully onsite at the Oregon Zoo.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application
• Responses to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Reference check
• Background and driving records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON
The full-hourly range for this position is step 1: $24.64 to step 5: $31.43. However, unless a candidate's qualifications justify, based on the requirementsand Metro's internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $24.64 to the equity range step 4:
$29.62.
This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by LiUNA 483. It is classified as an Operations Lead.
Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.
Questions?
Recruiter: Christina Rentas
Email: christina.rentas@oregonmetro.gov
Additional Information
Equal employment opportunity
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.
Accommodation
Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.
Veterans' preference
Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
Hybrid Telework
Positions designated as "hybrid telework," meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
Pay equity at Metro
No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do.Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.
Online applications
Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.
How to Apply
For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro's page.
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Metro
Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area's garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.
As part of the Metro family, the Oregon Zoo helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale.
The Oregon Zoo and MetroThe Oregon Zoo inspires visitors to learn about protecting endangered species and restoring native habitats and is