Zoo Naturalist

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.

Join the Oregon Zoo as a Zoo Naturalist! We’re excited to offer a unique opportunity for early-career professionals with a passion for conservation and education. This is a variable hour position, limited to 1040 hours over a 12-month period. As part of our Education Team, you’ll engage with zoo guests through informal education—whether through storytelling, hands-on activities, or impromptu interactions. You’ll help connect our community to our conservation work and share the wonders of wildlife. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to support other education programs, including school, teen, and volunteer initiatives. Come be a part of our mission to inspire and educate!

As a Zoo Naturalist you will:

• Provide fun, meaningful staff-to-guest interactions on zoo grounds to increase guest engagement and promote awareness of and build connections to the Zoo’s purpose and conservation work
• Support ongoing programming in the education department serving school partners (off zoo grounds), teens, and adult volunteers. This will include during zoo daytime hours as well as evening hours for events such as Zoo Nights or Zoo Lights.
• Serve as a key, front-facing staff member to facilitate the guest experience and ensure guest satisfaction. Occasionally support off-grounds, outdoor trips with our teen program participants and staff, including kayaking, hiking, and camping.
• Receive support and training in informal education and interpretive techniques, gain knowledge of zoos and conservation action, and connect to professional development networks.
• Build interdepartmental zoo connections and connections to Metro as a whole. This role will have limited desk time and will require work outdoors year-round.

Attributes for success:

• Strong growth mindset, with an active approach to continuous learning. Being adaptable, as no two days are the same.
• Being a team player who is willing to embrace our team commitments of trust, collaboration, intention, innovation, and balance.
• Desire for and interest in approaching guests of all ages on grounds to educate about conservation, animals, and the Oregon Zoo mission with warmth and affinity.
• Comfort working outdoors year-round, in varied weather conditions including rain, heat, snow, or wind. Comfort speaking with groups, both large and small, as part of zoo programming.
• Commitment to using a culturally responsive, equity-based lens.
• Affinity for working and engaging with youth, especially teenagers.
• Willing to take direction from multiple team members. Being self-motivated.
• Comfort learning from failure and working collaboratively with the team to find solutions.

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.

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

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:

• High school diploma or G.E.D; AND
• Two years of administrative and/or clerical work experience; OR
• We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Required:

The candidate selected for the position must be enrolled in the Office of Child Care’s Central Background Registry. The background check process includes a criminal background check through the Oregon State Police, a record check through Department of Human Services Child Protective Services and the fingerprint based criminal background check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This position requires availability for 3 days per week, including one weekend day, with hours varying based on season, business needs, and zoo events. You’ll receive advance notice of your schedule. Variable hour positions are limited to 1040 hours of work in a 12-month period.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:

If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I 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 some or all of the following 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.

• Bilingual (Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Russian, Tagalog, or ASL especially) Experience in education
• Valid driver’s license
• Connection to and experience in conservation work
• Prior experience with or participation in Oregon Zoo education programs, especially ZAP or ZooTeens
• Experience with or participation in zoo education programs
• Experience working with youth or teens

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following 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.

• Attachment of resume
• Complete answers 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
• Testing/assessments (if applicable) Reference check
• Background check for finalist candidate

REPRESENTATON

This position is eligible for overtime and is not represented by a union. It is classified as a Program Assistant II.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Megan Warneke

Email: megan.warneke@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 “How to apply” page.

Government Jobs

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As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.

This is a variable hour position with no guarantee of hours. The position is eligible for these benefits:

• Paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement if eligible and qualified.
• No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
• Employee Assistance Program

Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights!), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling.

Learn more about employee benefits.

Some variable hour positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits.
View union contracts here.