Custodian - Oregon Zoo

Oregon Metro; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Metro, the regional government for the greater Portland area, is seeking a Custodian for the Oregon Zoo. The role involves keeping guest areas clean, safe, and welcoming, supporting daily operations and special events while engaging with visitors during zoo hours.

This position emphasizes teamwork, safety, and reliable service; you will operate cleaning equipment, assist with guest inquiries, and help maintain high standards of cleanliness across both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Qualifications

• High School or GED AND
• Two years of experience in custodial, customer service work, and problem solving indicating an ability to perform duties as part of a self directed work team and with minimum supervision OR
• Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Perform general custodial services across zoo grounds, buildings, exhibits, offices, and public spaces during AM and PM shifts.
• Maintain cleanliness and appearance by sweeping, mopping, stripping, waxing, and polishing floors; cleaning carpets; dusting and polishing furniture; washing windows, woodwork, restrooms, and fixtures.
• Collect and transport trash and recyclable materials from public areas, animal holding areas, and offices using garbage trucks, mini-dump trucks, dumpsters, and other zoo vehicles.
• Operate custodial, maintenance, and grounds equipment, including forklifts, tractors, personnel lifts, pressure washers, industrial fans, ladders, painting equipment, hand tools, radios, and computers.
• Perform light maintenance duties such as replacing light bulbs, removing graffiti, restocking restroom supplies, unclogging sinks and toilets, moving furniture, preparing rooms for meetings, and assisting with event setup.
• Conduct deep cleaning activities including floor stripping and recoating, pressure washing, touch-up painting, cleaning under waste containers, and transferring recycled materials to holding areas.
• Assist visitors by answering questions, providing directions, and supporting situations involving lost children, minor first aid, or security concerns.
• Follow safety, animal care, and customer service guidelines while working during zoo operations and public hours.
• Maintain cleaning equipment and supplies, including ordering materials and ensuring tools are in safe working condition.
• Respond during emergency situations and perform other duties as assigned to include open and close buildings, check and lock doors and windows, and assist with snow removal as required.

Skills

Custodial experience

Customer service

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Independent work

Education

High School or GED

Tools

Forklifts

Pressure washers

Job description

This job posting is open continuously until filled. We will review the first batch of candidates on 11/12 and will review additional applications on a 2 week cadence.

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Oregon Zoo Guest Services division is looking for a Custodian to play a critical role in maintaining clean, safe, and welcoming facilities for guests, and staff.

Custodians at the Oregon Zoo are part of a self-directed team and regularly interact with the public, assist with guest service needs, and support daily operations, special events, and emergency situations. This role is ideal for someone who takes pride in their work, enjoys physical activity, and values contributing to a positive guest experience at one of Oregon’s most visited attractions.

As a custodian you will

• Perform general custodial services across zoo grounds, buildings, exhibits, offices, and public spaces during AM and PM shifts.
• Maintain cleanliness and appearance by sweeping, mopping, stripping, waxing, and polishing floors; cleaning carpets; dusting and polishing furniture; washing windows, woodwork, restrooms, and fixtures.
• Collect and transport trash and recyclable materials from public areas, animal holding areas, and offices using garbage trucks, mini-dump trucks, dumpsters, and other zoo vehicles.
• Operate custodial, maintenance, and grounds equipment, including forklifts, tractors, personnel lifts, pressure washers, industrial fans, ladders, painting equipment, hand tools, radios, and computers.
• Perform light maintenance duties such as replacing light bulbs, removing graffiti, restocking restroom supplies, unclogging sinks and toilets, moving furniture, preparing rooms for meetings, and assisting with event setup.
• Conduct deep cleaning activities including floor stripping and recoating, pressure washing, touch-up painting, cleaning under waste containers, and transferring recycled materials to holding areas.
• Assist visitors by answering questions, providing directions, and supporting situations involving lost children, minor first aid, or security concerns.
• Follow safety, animal care, and customer service guidelines while working during zoo operations and public hours.
• Maintain cleaning equipment and supplies, including ordering materials and ensuring tools are in safe working condition.
• Respond during emergency situations and perform other duties as assigned to include open and close buildings, check and lock doors and windows, and assist with snow removal as required.

Attributes for success

• Experience performing custodial work in large public facilities with indoor and outdoor environments
• Ability to safely operate vehicles and equipment such as garbage trucks, forklifts, lifts, and pressure washers
• Strong customer service and communication skills, with a professional and courteous demeanor
• Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and following established procedures
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with minimal supervision
• Willingness to assist the public, coworkers, and other departments as needed
• Reliability, punctuality, and a strong work ethic
• Ability to contribute to a positive and respectful team environment

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• High School or GED AND
• Two years of experience in custodial, customer service work, and problem solving indicating an ability to perform duties as part of a self directed work team and with a minimum of direct supervision OR
• Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities

Working Conditions

• Continuously required to stand and/or walk for extended periods
• Frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, twist, lift, push, pull, and carry objects up to 50 pounds
• Frequently exposed to cleaning chemicals, fumes, and airborne particles
• Occasionally exposed to blood or other bodily fluids, electricity, and outdoor weather conditions
• Duties may require prolonged strenuous effort in hazardous, enclosed, elevated, or inclement environments

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) certification or experience operating personnel lifts, scissor lifts, or boom lifts
• Forklift operator certification or demonstrated experience safely operating forklifts and material-handling equipment
• Working knowledge of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and safe handling, storage, and disposal of cleaning chemicals
• Experience performing custodial work in large, high-traffic public venues such as zoos, parks, stadiums, museums, airports, or campuses
• Experience with floor care programs, including stripping, waxing, burnishing, and use of auto-scrubbers
• Familiarity with bloodborne pathogen protocols and biological contaminant cleanup procedures
• Experience operating utility vehicles and light trucks, including garbage trucks, mini dumps, or similar equipment
• Knowledge of recycling, composting, and waste-diversion best practices, particularly in public-facing environments
• Ability to read and follow written work orders, SOPs, and safety procedures with attention to detail
• Understanding of workplace safety and reporting expectations.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application
• Responses to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Reference check
• Background and driving records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full hourly range for this position is step 1: $21.86 to step 5 $26.56. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $21.86 to the equity range step 3: $24.09.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by LIUNA 483. It is classified as a Custodian.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as "hybrid telework," meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.

As part of the Metro family, the Oregon Zoo helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale.

The Oregon Zoo and Metro

The Oregon Zoo inspires visitors to learn about protecting endangered species and restoring native habitats and is the state's most popular paid attraction. The zoo's roughly 320 employees welcome more than 1.5 million visitors each year.