Grounds Zoo Worker

Milwaukee County Zoo

Hourly Pay Range: $16.70 - $25.05

Closing Date: 4/30/2025 or upon receipt of the first 50 applications

Job Summary: The Grounds Zoo Worker will reserve and maintain the zoo's outward appearance by ensuring cleanliness of the grounds by mowing grass, trimming, and removing snow. This role will remove animal waste and deliver animal food and bedding. The Grounds Zoo Worker will assist with moving the zoo's animal collection, satisfy interdepartmental requests such as relocating furniture, light remodeling and improvement, and special event set up and care. This position also assists in maintaining both small and large equipment. The Grounds Zoo Worker will operate equipment to load and unload trucks, transport items throughout the park, and conduct landscaping. This role will provide heavy lifting, functioning as the backbone of the behind-the-scenes services to all of the zoo's departments.

Job Duties

• Remove garbage from trash bins, pick litter, use leaf blower to clean walkways. Use pressure washer to clean up stained concrete and to clean garbage cans. Collect recyclable material and dispose of it properly. Clean outdoor and shared areas. Tend to outdoor corporate events, private zoo rentals, picnics, and caterers, providing great customer service and keeping the events clean while maintaining strong communication. This includes setting up tables, stages, garbage cans, and any other items required. Conduct general housekeeping of garages, restrooms, break rooms, and facilities.
• Use various snow removal equipment and shovels to remove snow from drives and walkways. Spread salt to prevent accidents.
• Use various blowing and collection equipment, remove fallen leaves from the zoo in the fall. Clean all buildings' roofs, gutters, and roof drains multiple times in the fall and again in the spring.
• Spread woodchips or other landscape materials in the zoo. Repair picnic tables, benches, fences, damaged turf, or equipment, and build various types of wood fencing. Dig holes, install signs in the ground, paint anything needed to improve the park appearance. Assist with propping, animal exhibit landscaping, and improvement work. Perform minor repairs to vehicles. Conduct light, in-house repairs to our buildings, garages, and other facilities and structures.
• Help plant trees and remove fallen trees. Assist with landscaping, including spreading topsoil and mulch. Use a woodchipper to clear cut branches. Help with the removal of invasive species and replant or reforest cleared areas.
• Assist Vehicle Machine Operators with food delivery, animal bedding, animal waste removal, and load and unload deliveries. Use a forklift to transport, load, and unload. Help with cleaning and maintaining vacall screens and boxes of animal waste. Grease and clean all equipment, including skids, forklifts, and other heavy equipment.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• Current resident of Wisconsin.
• Hold an active Wisconsin Driver's License, able to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Basic knowledge of all related computer and software applications, such as word processing and spreadsheets.
• Able and willing to work irregular hours with overtime, weekends, or shift rotation.
• Able to lift/carry push/pull up to 50 lbs.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Landscaping or lawn services experience.
• Snow removal experience.
• Small engine repair and maintenance experience.
  
  

NOTE: This original application is open to permanent residents of the state of Wisconsin at the time of application. In accordance with Section 11, Rule 3 of the Civil Service Rules a non-competitive examination will be held for this position. The non-competitive examination will consist of criteria deemed appropriate by the Director of Human Resources.

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION