Senior Program Administrator Jobs in Hamel, MN (NOW HIRING)

Director of Guest Engagement-State Program Administrator Manager Sr

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: Director of Guest Engagement
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager Senior
Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden

• Job ID: 96263
• Location: Apple Valley
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 08/21/2026
• Closing Date: 09/10/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoo Gardens-Managerial
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift; 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
• Days of Work: Typically Tuesday - Saturday. May vary based on business needs. Schedule determined upon hire.
• Travel Required: Yes - up to 25% of time
• Salary Range: $44.80 - $64.46 / hourly; $93,542 - $134,592 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrep

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 leading and optimizing the guest journey at the Minnesota Zoo, ensuring every guest interaction—from ticket purchase through departure—reflects service excellence, operational efficiency, and mission connection. Leads and directs the guest engagement department, which includes the guest services, box office, and call center teams as well as governance of ticketing and customer relationship management systems and related data/reporting. Obtains and manages the resources needed and directs the evaluation of current and new programs to ensure a cohesive, data-informed engagement model that strengthens satisfaction, drives repeat visitation, and maximizes per cap revenue. Involves significant discretion and substantial involvement in the development and interpretation of agency-wide strategy and policies related to guest-facing systems and service culture, ensuring that guest engagement practices support revenue growth, brand affinity, accessibility, and public accountability standards.

This position supports operations across a large campus environment and requires the employee to travel between multiple buildings and work sites located throughout the campus to perform assigned duties and respond to operational needs. The incumbent must be able to travel between campus locations in a timely and reliable manner to carry out essential job functions. When job duties require the operation of a motor vehicle to access work sites, transport equipment, or respond to service needs, the employee must be able to safely operate a vehicle and possess a valid and unrestricted driver’s license.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Exercise supervisor authority in the direction and management of the department’s staffing to ensure a high-performing team to ensure required resources are available and invested to most effectively support the Zoo’s mission.
• Manage the implementation and ongoing improvement of the Zoo’s guest engagement strategy in alignment with agency‑wide revenue and mission goals.
• Direct all guest engagement operations including call center, box office, group sales support, and front gate to optimize revenue and minimize risk while balancing service excellence with operational efficiency.
• Manage all ticketing, point-of-sale, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems to improve guest engagement and ensure data integrity, legal compliance, and actionable analytics to inform sound decision‑making.
• Serve as a key member of the division management team ensuring development and accomplishment of the Zoo’s mission and strategy.

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.

• Seven (7) years of strategic leadership experience for guest experience teams in hospitality operations, attractions management, retail or a related field in a high-volume, public-facing environment, including experience leading and developing leaders, fostering accountability and collaboration, and translating organizational strategy into measurable results.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience may include experience as a manager, supervisor, or team/project lead.
  • *Master’s degree may substitute for 18 months of experience; Bachelor’s degree may substitute for one year of experience; Associate’s degree may substitute for six months of experience.
• Experience managing ticketing platforms, customer relationship management systems, and data governance practices.
• Demonstrated ability to improve revenue performance through pricing execution, conversion strategies, and service design.
• Strong financial skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and revenue reconciliation.
• Experience implementing service excellence frameworks and performance metrics, including demonstrated ability to influence others and/or compel change throughout an organization
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal leadership skills, including demonstrated emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to build trust and engagement across diverse teams.
• Valid driver’s license.

• Experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum, theme park, large cultural attraction or retail.
• Experience with dynamic pricing models and advanced ticketing ecosystems.
• Familiarity with public-sector or highly regulated environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, business, marketing, communications, or related field.
• Bilingual or multilingual capability (Spanish, Hmong, ASL preferred).
• Experience supervising employees in a unionized environment while fostering positive employee relations.
• Experience building collaborative partnerships with vendors, community partners, or cross-functional teams to achieve shared organizational goals.

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Periodic standing and walking throughout Zoo grounds.

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 Zoothat 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

Please be aware that emails from state email addresses may end up in your spam folder. To ensure these emails reach your inbox, add @state.mn.us to your safe sender list or check your spam folder.

State of Minnesota is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

Veteran’s Preference:

In order to be considered an eligible candidate for Veteran's Preference, apply online and email your valid DD-214 form along with the Job ID# and Position Title by the closing date to cyndee.robinson@state.mn.us , or mail to Cyndee Robinson, MN Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley, MN 55124.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Cyndee Robinson at cyndee.robinson@state.mn.us .

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.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov )

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.