Safety Coordinator

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The Zoo encompasses a 485-acre campus and is home to nearly 5,000 animals with about 1.5 million guests visiting annually. The Zoo is a coordinator of international conservation and breeding programs and is the State's largest environmental educator. 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: Safety Coordinator

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Coordinator

Agency: Minnesota Zoological Garden

• Job ID: 97117
• Location: Apple Valley
• Telework Eligible: No
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 09/22/2026
• Closing Date: 10/12/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoological Gardens-MAPE
• Division/Unit: Operations / Guest Experience
• Work Shift/Work Hours: 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes - Up to 25% of the time
• Salary Range: $37.91 - $56.39 / hourly; $79,156 - $117,742 / annually
• Job Class Option: Safety and Health
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Administrative
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work youll do is more than just a job.

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.

Job Summary

This position provides the leadership for the Minnesota Zoo's safety program to support the Zoo's mission of connecting people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife. The position will lead, develop and direct a comprehensive safety program including occupational health and safety emergency and crisis management, and hazardous waste for purposes of reducing employee injuries and illnesses and property loss, proactively introducing health and safety best practices and training, and ensuring compliance with state and federal applicable regulations. The incumbent serves as the Zoo's liaison to the Department of Administration, Department of Labor and Industry, Minnesota OSHA, and local first responders for safety, health and workers compensation functions. The incumbent must be able to drive fleet vehicles to move throughout the Zoo campus.

• Hazard assessment: Assess workplace hazards, vulnerabilities and/or risks and recommend strategies and actions to prevent and/or mitigate their impact ensuring proactive mitigation and compliance with local, state and federal standards and regulations.
• Written programs: Develop, implement, review and/or update emergency and crisis management, occupational health and safety, and hazardous waste programs, plans, policies, procedures and guidelines ensuring proactive mitigation and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and State policies.
• Training: Develop, conduct, coordinate, and document all training pertaining to occupational safety and health and hazardous waste. Hire outside training agencies when appropriate. Responsible for new hire training, annual trainings, and refresher trainings. Ensure staff are properly trained in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and AZA standards.
• Recordkeeping: Collect, analyze and maintain occupational health and safety, hazardous waste, emergency management and training data ensuring accurate data, easily accessible information, timely reporting, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Incident investigation: Investigate incidents, spills, injuries, accidents, mishaps and near-miss events ensuring hazards are resolved and accidents/injuries are prevented from reoccurring.

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 drivers license.

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 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.

• Four years of experience in the following areas: Developing and monitoring or auditing occupational safety and health programs, reviewing and evaluating work environments and identifying potential occupational and environmental health hazards and applying corrective measures, developing and conducting safety training

• Valid Driver's License

• Knowledge of federal and state occupational safety and health rules and regulations, ergonomics, techniques of injury prevention and hazard evaluation

• Knowledge of environmental regulations (EPA, MPCA) and fire standards and codes

• Leadership skills sufficient to effectively facilitate meetings and bring groups and committees to productive and solutions focused conclusions

• Written communication skills sufficient to write, prepare, and edit materials such as memos, procedures, reports, presentations, etc.

• Organizational skills sufficient to manage multiple projects simultaneously, delivering results and meeting deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher level in Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Health, Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Science, Safety Risk Management, Safety Management, Occupation Safety and Health, Emergency Management or related field

• Certification as Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or a closely related safety and occupational certification

• Experience with exotic or domestic animals or wildlife sufficient to recognize additional risk and safety exposures for staff and guests

• Experience with park and recreation or amusement facilities that provide services to large volumes of visitors

• Knowledge of FEMA and Homeland Security incident command structures

• Knowledge of USDA and Board of Animal Health safety regulations and AZA safety standards

Physical Requirements

• Availability to occasionally work a weekend day, evening, early morning, weekends, evenings and overnights on occasion

• Ability to stand for long periods of time and walk long distances on uneven terrain

• Ability to walk grounds, run, bend, kneel, stoop, reach upward, climb ladders and stairs, move heavy objects

• Ability to carry and use two-way portable radios to communicate with all zoo staff

• Ability to sit at a desk and operate a computer for extended periods of time

• Ability to work in an environment that includes both indoor and outdoor work spaces year round in inclement weather and with moderate noise

• Ability to push/pull up to 150 pounds

• Ability to lift carry and/or move up to 50 pounds

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

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 careers@state.mn.us. 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 Veterans Preference, apply online and email your valid DD-214 form along with the Job ID# and Position Title by the closing date to kay.grunseth@state.mn.us, or mail to Kay Grunseth, 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 careers@state.mn.us.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Kay Grunseth at kay.grunseth@state.mn.us or 651-539-6624.

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 Kay Grunseth at kay.grunseth@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.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesotas State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, youll 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.

Your benefits may include:

• 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 to provide support for your family in the event of death

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury

• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care

• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• 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)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• 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 careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.