All Jobs
All Jobs
Maintenance Crew Santa Barbara

Maintenance Crew

Full Time • Santa Barbara
Immediate opening!

Are you passionate about nature, animals, and creating beautiful outdoor spaces? Do you dream of a career where your love for the environment meets your love for adventure? Look no further – the zoo is hiring a Maintenance Technician (Maintenance Crew), and we want YOU to be a part of our incredible team!

Position Status: Full Time, Regular, Hourly, Non-Exempt
Schedule:  Monday through Friday, 7am to 3:30pm
Compensation:  $22.00 - $23.00 per hour, DOE


*You must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position*


SUMMARY:
As part of the Maintenance Crew at our zoo, you will play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing the stunning natural habitats that our animals call home.

Under general direction of the Director of Facilities & Horticulture, the Maintenance Crew performs direct maintenance and light construction for zoo facilities, and ensures that the Zoo gardens and grounds meet the Zoo’s presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance.
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
General Maintenance:
  • Performs all maintenance and light construction tasks according to established practices, procedures, techniques, and standards in the safest manner, following established SOGS and protocols effectively, with minimal supervision
  • Maintains the necessary records to track maintenance and construction projects, including time spent on job and record of materials used
  • Notices areas of concern in facilities and brings them to the attention of management
  • Provides light construction services including general labor, carpentry, mechanics, and flat work
  • Communicates appropriately, clearly and fully with appropriate staff
  • Prepares for the job with appropriate tools, equipment, and supplies
  • Follows-up on all projects
  • Repairs and paints benches, tables and guardrails, and assists in repair of roads, walkways, buildings, and mechanical equipment
  • Cleans grounds, including pathways and parking lot
  • Maintains tools and equipment
  • Exemplifies the highest ethical standards to ensure quality work
  • Reacts in a timely manner to ensure guest, animal and staff safety in emergency situations
  • Adheres to the Zoo’s policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Policy Manual
  • Applies and Exemplifies “green” (sustainable) practices whenever possible
  • Attends monthly all-employee meetings
  • Other duties as required
SECONDARY DUTIES: 
  • Cross-trains within department to learn additional skills.
  • Participates occasionally in cross-departmental project teams
Guest Relations:
  • Greets every guest with a smile
  • Thanks guests for supporting/visiting the Zoo
  • Ensures the Zoo’s presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance are met by keeping work areas clean, picking up trash, reporting unsafe or unsightly conditions
  • Associates with guests to assist and share information
  • Responds to all guest inquiries, complaints, and comments according to Zoo guest relations procedures
  • Maintains a clean neat appearance and adheres to the Zoo’s uniform dress code
  • Takes responsibility to stay informed about happenings at the Zoo, such as reading employee communications and attending meetings
  • Reflects the qualities outlined in the Guest Relations Statement, the Employee Pledge and our Core Values

 
POSITION CRITERIA:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements and environmental characteristics described below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and working and physical elements required of the position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Two years paid experience in a trade or general maintenance, or equivalent
License, Certification, or Preferred Qualifications:
  • Fork lift certification
  • Valid California driver’s license with good driving record is desirable
Knowledge, Skills and Ability:
  • Basic understanding of carpentry, mechanics, vehicle and machinery maintenance, construction and repair
  • Ability to follow oral and written direction
  • Effective oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to verbalize understanding of a problem or situation, and ask relevant questions for clarification
  • Competent in the use of all common hand and power tools
  • Ability to develop productive and friendly relationships at work
  • Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, and our guests
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with employees
  • Ability to perform all essential functions using safe work methods and habits, and following safety regulations
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and follow specified procedures
  • Ability to work well with minimal supervision
  • Experienced in operating a variety of equipment (blowers, mowers, small hand tools, etc.)
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
  • Requires the ability to access all areas of the facility
  • Ability to negotiate the zoo work environment including behind-the-scenes, lawns, gravel, and hilltop
  • Must be able to participate in operational practices; including climb stairs, manipulate tools, and stand/walk for up long periods of time
  • Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including electric cart, forklift, and two-way radio
  • Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds occasionally, and 10 or fewer pounds frequently
  • Ability to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly push, pull or otherwise move objects
  • The ability to regularly stand, walk throughout the facility
  • The ability to use abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing
  • The ability to bend, stretch, twist, squat, kneel or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs for long periods of time
  • The ability to use fingers to handle and/or feel objects, tools or controls; and talk or hear
  • The ability to quickly move the hand, hand together with arm, or two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects
  • The ability to occasionally reach above the head and reach forward
  • Exposure to chemical cleaning solutions and paint
  • Involves working out-of-doors in all weather conditions
  • Supportive and open employment culture
  • Annual TB Test Clearance required
Tools Used:
  • Hand tools
  • Basic power tools
  • Table saw
  • Electric cart
  • Two-way radio
  • Fork lift 
  • Front Loader
  • Automobile
  • Ladder
  • Light machinery


BENEFITS & PERKS: 
  • Great team, beautiful grounds, amazing animal collection, sunshine & ocean view almost year-round! 
  • Free parking M-F, free guest passes, unlimited free tea/coffee every morning, 20% discounts on food services and retail purchases
  • Access to the San Diego Zoo Global Academy platform, professional development events, and lunch & learn opportunities
  • Comprehensive benefits package for FTR staff, voluntary supplemental insurances, zoo membership, paid sick leave, paid vacation time, 403(b) and SEP retirement plans, a paid conservation day, a paid Zoo Day to visit another AZA accredited institution, paid time off to take your pet to the vet, and much more...
 

*You must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position*

 

Please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see an email response from the Zoo.

---

This job description is representative of the expectations of the position described.  Additional duties, reporting relationships, and/or position criteria may be assigned as deemed necessary by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative.  No changes to this job description shall be made without written permission by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative.
 
The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time.  The job description does not constitute a contract for employment, and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time.  The job description does not in any way alter the at-will employment relationship.
 
 At this time, the Zoo does not sponsor employment or internship visas.
Compensation: $22.00 - $23.00 per hour

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.





(if you already have a resume on Indeed)

Or apply here.

* required fields

Location
Or
Or

U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Information (Completion is voluntary)

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

You are being given the opportunity to provide the following information in order to help us comply with federal and state Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action record keeping, reporting, and other legal requirements.

Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 4/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

You Belong at the Zoo! Why?

It’s a great place to work!
We strive to: 1. Provide a learning environment with great benefits and advancement opportunities. 2. Work as a team. 3. Enjoy our work and have fun!
We are guest-oriented.
We strive to: 1. Be professional, engaged, warm, friendly, informed, and resourceful because we care about our guests’ experience. 2. Ensure safe, clean, and injury-free facilities. 3. Be a place of choice to visit in town.
We are goal-oriented.
We strive to: 1. Set competitive goals that involve our entire staff. 2. Focus on our mission and the best ways to deliver our care and services to our animals, our staff, and our guests. 3. Be the best place to visit in Santa Barbara!