Zoo Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Chief Guest Engagement & Revenue Optimization - Agency Division Director Senior

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: Chief Guest Engagement & Revenue Optimization
Job Class: Agency Division Director Senior
Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden

• Job ID: 96269
• 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
• Division/Unit: Zoo Division Directors / Revenue Optimization
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift; 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes - up to 25% time
• Salary Range: $55.68 - $79.79 / hourly; $116,259 - $166,601 / annually
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• 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.

Relocation assistance may be available to support the selected candidate’s move to the area. Eligibility and the level of assistance will be determined based on the circumstances of the relocation and applicable policies.

This position is responsible for driving an exceptional, modern, and mission‑centered guest experience at the Minnesota Zoo while maximizing revenue generated through admissions, membership, events, educational programming, and third‑party food, beverage, and retail operations. This position serves on the Director’s Advisory Team as a principal advisor and strategist for guest engagement, revenue generation, educational program creation and delivery, brand position, and go‑to‑market strategy. This position plans, directs, and implements strategies to generate statewide, national, and international engagement with the Zoo’s educational and conservation mission.

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:

• Direct and manage the division staffing in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, and labor contracts to ensure a high‑performing division structured for scalability, cross‑functional collaboration, and long‑term sustainability.
• Establish and direct a comprehensive guest experience strategy across all guest‑facing departments to ensure experiences are mission‑aligned, financially sustainable, operationally excellent, and responsive to public accountability standards.
• Establish and direct the Zoo’s earned revenue strategy to maximize revenue generated through admissions, membership, events and educational programming, and third‑party food, beverage, and retail operations.
• Provide executive leadership for the creation, delivery, and evaluation of educational programming aligned with conservation priorities and financial sustainability.
• Provide executive oversight of major third‑party partners including retail, food, and beverage operations and other service delivery partners.
• Serve as a key member of the Director’s Advisory Team to develop and lead Zoo‑wide strategies and policies and to ensure management decisions and actions are aligned with state values and the priorities of the Director and Deputy Director.

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

• Ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in guest engagement and revenue operations, commercial strategy, within a complex, public and mission‑driven organization with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience must include time as an executive leader.
  • Total 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.
• Demonstrated experience managing $10M+ in earned revenue, including revenue forecasting, pricing strategy, budgeting and financial performance management.
• Ability to create and communicate division level strategy, a roadmap to achieve the vision and experience with effectively managing and/or leading diverse partners or constituent groups through change.
• Experience leading and developing leaders, fostering accountability and collaboration, and translating organizational strategy into measurable results.
• Experience using customer‑centered approaches or community feedback, knowledge and perspectives to improve organizational strategies, decisions, operations and services
• Experience overseeing third‑party vendor contracts and performance‑based agreements.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in hospitality, business, communications, education, or related field.
• Experience in zoological, aquarium, museum, comparable attraction, or retail leadership.
• Experience leading projects from planning through implementation while meeting established timelines and objectives, and maintaining operational excellence.
• Experience establishing ongoing feedback structures with customers or community to inform organizational strategies and decisions.
• Experience creating and managing large‑scale ticketed events.
• Advanced proficiency with POS, CRM, ticketing, and analytics systems.
• Fluency in a second language such as Spanish, Hmong, or ASL.

• Flexible availability, including weekends, holidays, and evenings.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Proficiency with modern digital tools and communication platforms.

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.

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

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.