Working Title: Hospital Manager/Registrar
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Supervisor Senior
Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden
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Job ID: 95796
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Location: Apple Valley
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Telework Eligible: No
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Full/Part Time: Full-Time
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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: 07/31/2026
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Closing Date: 08/20/2026
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Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoological Gardens-MMA
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Division/Unit: Animal Care, Health, Conservation & Behavior / Animal Health
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Work Shift/Work Hours: Day shift; 7:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
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Days of Work: Monday - Friday
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Travel Required: Yes, up to 25% of the time
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Salary Range: $31.08 - $45.01 / hourly; $64,895 - $93,980 / annually
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Classified Status: Classified
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Bargaining Unit/Union: 216 - Middle Management Association/MMA
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FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
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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.
This position is an assisting leadership role, partnering with the Director of Animal Health on oversight of the Animal Health team at the Minnesota Zoo in support of the Zoo’s mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. Provides oversite for the care of the Hospital and Quarantine Animal Collection in collaboration with appropriate Animal Care leads, supervises all aspects of daily operations, and ensures the highest quality professional care, training, and wellbeing for the collection. Obtains and manages the resources needed to support all Animal Health programs.
This position manages the Zoo animal records and related policies, validates the quality of recorded data, and ensures the legal compliance of all animal transactions. Serves as liaison to government entities and other zoological institutions, including zoological and/or aquarium accrediting bodies, regarding animal records, wildlife permitting, animal transactions, and related matters.
This position is a member of the Animal Health leadership team and collaborates with other Zoo departments. Contribute to initiatives of the CHCB team (Care, Health, Conservation and Behavior) as it relates to the Zoo’s strategic priorities in animal care and education.
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. This position may also need to travel offsite to support professional development and zoo projects.
Duties include but are not limited to:
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Exercise supervisory authority while assisting the Director of Animal Health in developing, directing, and managing Animal Health personnel so that required staffing resources are available and strategically invested and department policies are developed and implemented
- Serve as Hospital Manager for Animal Health so that effective and efficient organization is maintained.
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Provide Registrar support for the Zoo, including maintaining the computer-based Animal Management Record system ZIMS Species360 for the entry and preservation of animal information with immediate access by Care, Health, Conservation, and Behavior (CHCB), and act as the primary Administrator responsible as the Minnesota Zoo contact with Species 360.
- Provide program, assistance and management so that required staffing resources are available and strategically invested in hospital operations to ensure support of the Minnesota Zoo’s mission and strategic priorities.
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Oversee all local, state, national and global licenses, permits and legal agreements relating to animal transactions at the Minnesota Zoo including import, export, licensing, capture, transport, educational exhibition, captive breeding and injurious wildlife permits. so that local, state, federal and international laws, policies and guidelines are followed.
- Administer and provide oversight into all animal transactions involving the Zoo’s animal and conservation collections, ensuring that acquisitions and dispositions follow established guidelines. Keep accurate records of animal transactions in progress and completed. Ensure that financial transactions regarding animal acquisitions/dispositions are completed.
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Administer annual loan agreement between the Minnesota Zoo, other institutions and individuals so that legal documentation exists spelling out the terms of the transactions.
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Participate in the Minnesota Zoo's Animal Management Committee meetings to advise on legal requirements regarding animal acquisitions and dispositions.
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 performing analysis, exercising judgment, and relying on specialized knowledge in a related field such as biology, zoology, animal science, or animal behavior.*
- A bachelor’s degree in Biology, zoology, animal science, animal behavior or other closely related field as determined by the agency may substitute for one (1) year of experience. Associate’s degree may substitute for six months of experience.
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Demonstrated emotional intelligence through effective communication, sound judgment, and respectful interactions with employees, peers, and stakeholders.
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Experience serving as a supervisor, team lead, lead worker, or project lead that included directing or coordinating the work of others, establishing expectations, providing guidance and feedback, and supporting staff in achieving work objectives.
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Valid current driver’s license
- Experience training and supporting staff by providing guidance on records management, data entry standards, and established procedures while ensuring accuracy and consistency.
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Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, adapt to changing priorities, and identify opportunities to improve processes and operations.
- Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and work independently, developing proficiency in assigned procedures, integrating new information effectively, and completing tasks with limited supervision.
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College degree in biology, records management or another related field or equivalent experience
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Three (3) or more years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
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Competent experience with records management, database management or administration, informatics or information technology
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Completion of the AZA Institutional Records Keeping (IRK) course, Zoological Registrars Association (ZRA) Training Certificate Program, Certified Records Analyst (CRA) or Certified Records Manager (CRM), and/or certifications in records or museum management
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Experience organizing and prioritizing multiple responsibilities, adapting work plans in response to changing operational needs, and identifying or implementing improvements to processes or operations.
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Completion of a leadership development program, such as the State of Minnesota Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI), Senior Leadership Institute (SLI) or a comparable program.
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Current rabies vaccination and negative TB or ability to become Rabies vaccinated and complete a negative TB test within the probationary period and complete ongoing Rabies titer testing. The MN Zoo will cover the cost of your vaccines if you schedule your appointment through our occupational health clinic, upon hire.
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Ability to work all days of the week and all shifts, as needed
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Ability to constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
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Ability to frequently bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, reach upward, twist and have good lateral movement
- Ability to perform large amount of walking including up and down stairs
- Ability to perform tasks requiring heavy use of arms, wrists, and exertion of upper body, arms and hands to perform duties
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Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions year-round, sometimes on uneven terrain
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Ability to work with potentially dangerous exotic and domestic animals
- Ability to provide care for the animal collection under all weather conditions
- Ability to work with animals with potential zoonotic diseases
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 Cyndee 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 Cyndee 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 one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 12 paid holidays each year
- Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
- Fertility care, including IVF
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Diabetes care
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Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
- 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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Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
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Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
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Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
- 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.
