Full Time Zookeeper Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Explore a career with Reid Park Zoo! We are seeking a full-time, experienced Maintenance Specialist - Painter. Three years of combined maintenance and painting experience in a commercial environment is required.

With a mission centered in conservation, the Zoo is Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participates in over 50 Species Survival Plans for threatened and endangered species. Reid Park Zoo cares for over 200 exotic animal species from around the world, maintains a state-of-the-art elephant program, a cutting-edge veterinary clinic that serves as a teaching hospital for the University of Arizona veterinary program, and is a leader in the Monarch and Songbird Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) programs. With more than 600,000 visits annually, the Zoo is in the midst of an exciting expansion project, Pathway to Asia, that will add four acres to its campus, bringing new species such as red panda, Komodo dragon and Lar gibbons, as well as a breeding facility for critically-endangered Malayan tigers when it opens in November 2026.

Reid Park Zoo’s mission is to connect people with animals, inspiring the protection of wild animals and wild places. Be a part of a vibrant, growing organization as Reid Park Zoo continues to support local and global conservation and the highest standards in animal care while providing educational opportunities and family fun.

No phone calls or visits please. This position is open until filled. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff by creating an inclusive environment.

Pay Range: $17.65 to $20.30 per hour (DOE)

Benefits: This is a fully benefited position, including group medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid holiday, vacation, and sick time; retirement plan; zoo membership; employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, and discounts on concession and gift shop purchases.

Overview:

The Maintenance Specialist is responsible for maintaining, repairing and painting of zoo equipment, exhibits, and other facilities. The successful candidate will have experience working in more than one area. This might include plumbing, carpentry, painting, electrical, masonry, roofing, fencing depending on the needs of the zoo. This is a hands-on position in a fast-paced environment of a growing organization.

Reports To: Facilities Manager

General duties:

• Demonstrates and models the core values of the Reid Park Zoological Society (RPZS or the Zoo)
• Perform duties in accordance with RPZS policies and procedures
• Provide excellent customer service as a component of all job duties
• Follows Zoo safety protocols and procedures
• Maintain and repair zoo equipment, exhibits, and other facilities
• Responsible for mixing, matching, and applying paint to various surfaces, preparing surfaces (sand, scrape, fill holes and cracks); protect surfaces (cover floors, trim and use drop cloths); clean and treat surfaces with turpentine, mildew remover, or other preparations, completing touchups, and coordinating large painting projects
• Provide feedback in the design, planning, and construction of new animal exhibits and other facilities
• Safely operates and maintains hand tools and power tools, including, but not limited to: chain saws, grinders, drills, circular saws, demo hammers, chop saws, augers, paint sprayers, etc.
• Safely operates golf carts, small utility vehicles, skid steers, loaders, and other wheeled equipment
• Provides support for special events on evenings and weekends
• Maintains maintenance log books and enters data into computer spreadsheets
• Assists Trade Specialists or Grounds Department when required
• Follows work order system
• Checks with supervisor if asked by other staff/departments to deviate significantly from scheduled work
• Effectively communicates with and to supervisors, staff, and visitors
• Conducts preventive maintenance, services equipment to ensure reliability and safe operation
• May install and maintain fences, signs, benches, railings, concrete, animal habitats, water pumps and other fixtures and structures
• Purchases materials and equipment after consultation with supervisor
• Maintains an inventory of commonly used materials
• Reports safety concerns to supervisor
• Undertakes safety training and follows safe work practices
• Creates completion schedules and material lists for assigned projects before initiating construction
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:

• Minimum of 3 years combined maintenance and painting experience in a commercial environment
• Valid and unrestricted driver’s license
• Successfully complete a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen (we do not test for THC)
• Comply with random drug testing if selected
• Evidence of negative TB test result within the immediate past 12 months or successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen
• Completes all training as required
• Participates in emergency drills
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to maintain positive, constructive relationships, at all levels, with a diverse population of staff, guests, vendors and the public
• Assertive, energetic, and enjoy working in a fast paced, public/guest attraction focused environment
• Ability to take direction, constructive feedback, act or change direction as needed
• Regular physical attendance at work
• Reliable and able to work to a schedule
• Must be able to work a flexible work schedule including weekends and infrequently, evenings and holidays
• Regular, dependable physical attendance at work

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds often
• Bend, stoop, kneel, reach frequently
• Stand and walk for long periods of time
• Repetitious motions with hands
• Ability to use hands to control power and hand tools
• Able to walk and stand up to 8 hours daily
• Must be able to work outside in either cold or hot weather conditions the majority of the time

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. This position description statement is intended to give a potential applicant a reasonable idea of what might be required.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Reid Park Zoological Society to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Dept.