General Maintenance Worker Lead

Location: Apple Valley, MN

Full-time, unlimited position

About the role

The General Maintenance Worker – Lead performs frontline leadership and hands-on work to support the cleanliness, safety, and operational readiness of the Zoo campus, buildings, grounds, and public spaces. This role provides daily direction to staff and supports building services, grounds upkeep, and general maintenance activities based on operational needs. The position requires travel between multiple buildings and work sites throughout the campus to perform assigned duties and respond to operational needs.

Schedule

• 40 hours per week
• May to November: 10-hour shifts (2:00 P.M. to 12:30 A.M. or 11:30 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.)
• November to May: 8-hour shifts (2:00 P.M. to 10:30 P.M.)
• Days and hours vary based on special events and include rotating weekends
• Schedule determined upon hire

Pay

$24.02 - $28.01 hourly; $50,153 - $58,484 annually

Responsibilities

• Provide daily direction to staff in building services, grounds upkeep, and general maintenance activities
• Lead custodial operations, including use of cleaning chemicals and adherence to sanitation standards
• Perform groundskeeping tasks and seasonal outdoor maintenance
• Operate hand tools and small equipment safely
• Travel between campus locations to carry out job functions and respond to service needs
• Safely operate a motor vehicle to access work sites, transport equipment, or respond to service needs
• Organize work, set priorities, and adapt to changing operational needs
• Work respectfully and effectively with a diverse group of staff and guests

Requirements

• Valid driver’s license to operate fleet vehicles throughout the Zoo campus
• Experience with commercial custodial practices, cleaning chemicals, and sanitation standards
• Experience performing groundskeeping tasks and seasonal outdoor maintenance
• Ability to use hand tools and small equipment safely
• Effective verbal communication skills and ability to follow written and verbal instructions
• Demonstrated ability to organize work, set priorities, and adapt to changing operational needs
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with a diverse group of staff and guests
• Ability to meet physical requirements, including:
  • Walking, standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, lifting, and repetitive motion
  • Lifting and moving up to 75 pounds
  • Performing overhead work and sustained upper body tasks
  • Working indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals, equipment noise, and environmental conditions consistent with custodial and grounds operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a lead or supervisory role in custodial, facilities, or grounds operations
• Experience working in a large public venue
• Experience using work order or facility management software
• Experience using radios and basic computer applications for communication and documentation

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
• Training, classes, and professional development opportunities
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility (for qualifying positions)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support, including:
  • Mental health support
  • Relationship challenges (personal and work)
  • Grief and loss support
  • Financial and legal assistance
  • 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.