Working Title: Zoo Campus Security Officer-intermittent
Job Class: Campus Security Officer
Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden
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Job ID: 94415
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Location: Apple Valley
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Telework Eligible: No
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Full/Part Time: Intermittent
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Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
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Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
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Date Posted: 07/24/2026
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Closing Date: 08/13/2026
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Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoo Gardens-Insuff Wk Tm
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Division/Unit: Operations / Guest Experience / Emergency Services
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Work Shift/Work Hours: varies
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Days of Work: varies
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Travel Required: Yes - Up to 25% of the time on campus
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Salary Range: $24.02 - $33.11 / hourly
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Classified Status: Classified
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Bargaining Unit/Union: 218 - Insufficient Work Time/Unrep
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FLSA Status: Nonexempt
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Re-Posting: Yes
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Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes
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.
Earn a competitive wage, a retirement plan and free parking. Join an exciting and unique organization with a mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife.
Work hours vary based on program needs and may include weekdays, weekends, daytime or evenings. Additional $2.25/hour shift differential for work after 6:00 P.M.
This position is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the Minnesota Zoo campus of nearly 500 acres with over 10 miles of roads/pathways and over 120 buildings including a high school, a preschool, and a full-scale summer day camp program serving up to 10,000 people per day including visitors, school children, staff, volunteers, and hundreds of onsite contractors. The position responds to criminal, medical, mechanical, animal, weather-related and other emergencies at the campus and provides primary direction and decision-making during incidents on the campus that occur during daytime zoo hours and numerous evening events throughout the year.
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:
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Patrol Zoo grounds and facilities campus-wide, by foot and vehicle, for emergency, security and safety incidents, ensuring issues are responded to in a courteous and professional manner, resolved promptly, or escalated to the appropriate resource. Deter unlawful or other inappropriate activity by making assigned rounds in accordance with prescribed policies and procedures; and monitoring, investigating and/or reporting unusual or suspicious conditions or incidents.
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Monitor security, communications, and environmental systems from a central control point. The work involves monitoring electronic equipment such as closed circuit T.V. cameras, an electronic environmental monitoring system, emergency phone lines, intrusion sound alarm and teletype machines.
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Coordinate all emergency response and serve as incident command, as appropriate, during critical safety or security incidents. Provide emergency first aid care to level of training for guests, staff, volunteers, interns, externs, and contractors until the patient is able to be escalated to a higher level of care.
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Maintain facility access control by enforcing established key/key card responsibility procedures for all campus buildings by cutting and issuing keys/key cards, ordering materials and equipment for key/key cards, and maintaining a database.
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Perform recordkeeping and reporting of safety, health, and security access, inspections, concerns and/or incidents ensuring details and data are accurately captured in a timely manner or within required timeframes and easily accessible.
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.
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Two (2) years of experience as a Security Patrol Officer, Crime Prevention Officer, Peace Officer, or similar work. Associate's degree in Law Enforcement, Paralegal or related field may substitute for six (6) months of experience; Bachelor’s degree in above areas may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
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Valid current driver’s license.
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Ability to provide lead work to staff members
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Written and verbal communication skills sufficient to complete incident forms and other security related documents, and to verbally communicate with staff in an effective manner.
- Ability to work with individuals in a respectful manner and to accurately identify needs and effectively address needs and establish rapport
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Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
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Experience in or knowledge of security at a major public or cultural institution
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Computer knowledge sufficient to use IP Camera Systems, Networking, SDS software programs, etc.
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Knowledge of standard police practices including rules of evidence/chain of custody, citizen’s arrest power, loss prevention techniques, data privacy act, intrusion alarms, detections, surveillance system and fire alarms
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Written skills sufficient to write operating procedures, instructions, checklists, and policies; and written and oral communications skills sufficient to defuse conflicts and violent situations
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Ability to deal with diverse populations responding with sensitivity to their needs and concerns
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Ability to resolve problems and make comprehensive decisions quickly and effectively
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Fluency in ASL, Karen, Spanish, Hmong, or any other non-English language
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Ability to walk grounds, run, bend, kneel, stoop, reach upward, climb ladders and stairs, move heavy objects
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Ability to lift children and adults using appropriate body mechanics to chairs, cots, ambulances, etc.
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Ability to push/pull up to 150 pounds
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Ability to lift carry and/or move up to 50 pounds
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Ability to safely apply defensive tactics, including controlling and restraining resistant or agitated individuals using appropriate techniques and within established use of force guidelines
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:
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Conflict of Interest Review
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Criminal History Check including fingerprinting
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Education Verification
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Employment Reference / Records Check
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License / Certification Verification
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
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.
Veteran’s Preference:
In order to be considered an eligible candidate for Veteran's Preference, apply online and email your valid DD-214 form along with the Job ID# and Position Title by the closing date to
[email protected], or mail to Cyndee Robinson, MN Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley, MN 55124.
For technical application assistance, please contact MMB Careers.
If you have questions please visit the page of Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email
[email protected].
If you have questions about this position, contact Cynthia Robinson at [email protected].
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 Cynthia Robinson at [email protected].
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
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Connection with their coworkers and communities
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Opportunities for personal and professional growth
As an employee, you'll have access to benefits to help you and your family be well.
- Paid sick leave
- 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
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Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
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Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
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Training, classes, and professional development
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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)
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A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
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Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
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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
Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and 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 [email protected] and let us know the support you need.
