The Zoo encompasses a 485-acre campus and is home to more than 5,300 animals with about 1.29 million guests visiting annually. The Zoo is a coordinator of international conservation and breeding programs and is the State’s largest environmental educator with over 400,000 participants annually. 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.

Job Details

Working Title: Plant Maintenance Engineer
Job Class: Plant Maintenance Engineer
Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 03/20/2024
• Closing Date: Open until filled
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoological Gardens-AFSCME
• Division/Unit: Operations / Engineering & Heat Plant
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 6:00 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday with a seasonal weekend coverage rotation
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $31.65 - $36.75 / hourly; $66,085 - $76,734 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 202 - Craft, Maintenance, Labor/AFSCME
• Work Area: Zoo Campus
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Telework Eligible: No
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Job Summary

It pays to consider a rewarding career with the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley! You may be eligible for a new hire bonus of $5,000!

Earn a competitive wage, have affordable and comprehensive insurance benefits, a retirement plan, paid time off, Zoo membership and free parking.

Be a part of new state of the art energy managed web based system.

These positions will work Monday - Friday with a seasonal weekend coverage rotation.

The MN Zoo is seeking to fill multiple Plant Maintenance Engineer positions. These positions maintain all equipment related to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, maintains the splash pad, and performs limited work on the Fire Alarm system for the Minnesota Zoo. The incumbent provides back-up support to the heat plant and must be able to maintain a working knowledge of the energy management system, communicate system emergencies and ensure mechanical systems maintain a proper environment for the living animals and plant collections and the comfort of staff and guests in support of the Minnesota Zoo’s mission of connecting people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife. The incumbent drives facilities’ fleet vehicles to move around the Zoo campus. Employees work a schedule which may include a weekend day and holidays, coming in early or working late when required.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Perform daily service orders and unscheduled maintenance repairs in the Engineering Department so that mechanical equipment operate safely and efficiently with limited down time.
• Perform scheduled maintenance tasks on all heating and cooling systems so major repairs can be avoided and the systems operate safely and efficiently with limited down time.
• Perform all types of maintenance tasks to ensure fire alarm, water, waste, mechanical systems and subsystems
• are operational at all times.
• Operate and maintain the high-temperature, high-pressure heating system and related equipment, fire alarm, and Energy Management Systems, SCADA, so that the systems are operating safely and efficiently and the central heating plant is maintained as a clean, safe work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of the organization as a viable business partner.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

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 facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

• Valid State of Minnesota 1st Class B Engineer’s License;
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to acquire a Commercial Pool Operators License for maintaining interactive water feature within the probationary period and to maintain the license;
• Knowledge of mechanical equipment and systems used for heating, cooling and sanitary waste for large, complex campuses similar to the size and variety of the Minnesota Zoo;
• Knowledge of safety procedures and personal protective equipment needed for performing preventive maintenance and troubleshooting for HVAC and plumbing equipment and systems;
• Skilled in using and operating a variety of hand and power tools and meters necessary to perform job tasks and responsibilities for HVAC maintenance and troubleshooting;
• Ability to locate, read, comprehend and interpret written information from technical documents, manuals and/or procedures required to perform trouble shooting of equipment issues;
• Record keeping skills sufficient to complete site safety checks and maintenance reports in written or electronic form;
• Ability to use basic business computer software programs to enter and save data and respond to requests;
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a work environment that respects and values differences and diversity.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work a schedule which may include a weekend day and holidays, coming in early or working late when required;
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds;
• Ability to carry up to 80 pounds for short distances;
• Ability to push/pull up to 66 pounds;
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders, squat, crouch, and stand and sit for extended periods of time;
• Ability to work from elevated locations, including personal lifts and booms or scaffolding;
• Ability to work in confined spaces.

Additional Requirements

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 Zoo that 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
• Education Verification
• Employment Reference / Records Check
• License / Certification Verification

Application Details

How to Apply

Applicants must apply to the MN Careers website http://www.mn.gov/careers Job ID 749836. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Cyndee Robinson at cyndee.robinson@state.mn.us.

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.

About Minnesota Zoological Garden 

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.

Why Work for Us 

Earn a competitive wage, have affordable and comprehensive insurance benefits, a retirement plan, Zoo membership and free parking.

MN Zoo Mission . Vision . Values

VISION Our vision is a future where wildlife thrives in Minnesota and beyond. 

MISSION The Minnesota Zoo connects people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife.

VALUES

STEWARDSHIP - We act to save wildlife, and we are responsible stewards of all resources entrusted to us.

EXCELLENCE WITH INTEGRITY - We conduct all our work at the highest level of quality.

SMART FUN - We deliver smart fun: exploration, excitement, discovery and surprise.

ENGAGE TO INSPIRE - We believe that engagement with animals and learning about the environment leads to action on behalf of wildlife.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION - We embrace diversity and promote inclusion in all we do.

Diverse Workforce 

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission 
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs 
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job 
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule 

Comprehensive Benefits 

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include: 

• Public pension plan 
• Training and professional development 
• Paid vacation and sick leave 
• 11 paid holidays each year 
• Paid parental leave 
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage 
• Prescription drug coverage 
• Vision coverage 
• Wellness programs and resources 
• Employer paid life insurance 
• Short-term and long-term disability 
• Health care spending and savings accounts 
• Dependent care spending account 
• Tax-deferred compensation 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program 

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. 

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.