Grounds Laborer (Various)

Zoo Careers; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Zoo tickets

Sick leave accrual

403(b) Retirement Plan

Staff parking

EAP

Job summary

Woodland Park Zoo is seeking a Laborer to support grounds maintenance and custodian tasks at our onsite facilities in Seattle. The role includes cleaning duties, event setup, and assisting with large-scale setups and moves on a regular schedule.

The position requires physical labor, early shifts, and a commitment to safe, efficient work. Benefits may vary by classification and shift; TSA and background checks may be part of the process.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 1+ month related experience or training.
• A valid driver's license.
• Basic computer, communication, and mathematics skills.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Responsibilities

• Perform cleaning duties including trash pickup, sweeping, disinfecting, vacuuming, and restroom cleaning in indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Assist in set ups, room arrangements, and office relocations.
• Assist in event set up and strike of venues and large tent builds.
• Load and unload materials, equipment, and supplies.

Skills

Custodial Work

Labor Work

Team Communication

Commitment to Excellence

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

PAY & FLSA: $31.99 - $36.54 per hour; FLSA non-exempt

The starting rate for this role is $31.99 per hour. Every employee under the Joint Crafts Council wage scale, on first appointment, will receive the first step of the salary range for the position. Employees will advance to the second step at the start of the pay period after their one-year anniversary and each milestone thereafter (3 years, 6 years, 11 years, and 17 years of service) with Step 6 being the maximum pay rate.

OPENING DATE: 08/26/2026

CLOSE DATE: 09/08/2026

JOB TYPE: Temporary, full-time, and part-time opportunities may be available

UNION:Local 242: Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA)

OPENINGS: Ongoing pool for current and future vacancies

LOCATION:Onsite only

DEPARTMENT:Grounds

This job posting’s candidate pool may be used to fill any Laborer positions (regular full-time, regular part-time, and temporary/on-call).

The work schedule for the various job types are as follows:

• Full-time – Day shift: 5 consecutive days, 5:30am-2pm
• Part-time – Day shift: 2 -3 days per week, 5:30am-2pm OR Swing shift: 2 -3 days per week, 2pm-10:30pm
• Temporary – On-call basis depending on operational need, assignment end date anticipated November/December

HOW DO YOU ZOO?

More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what is at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in our lives.”

WHO YOU ARE

As our new Laborer, we know you will be successful in this role because you:

• Enjoy Cleaning and Performing Custodial Work:You are comfortable performing routine janitorial and custodial work as well as routine manual work in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Enjoy Labor Work:You enjoy working hard. You like manual labor including helping with event set up, moving furniture, heavy lifting, moving heavy items, loading and unloading trucks, standing or walking for extended periods of time.
• Are Comfortable Speaking and Working with Everyone:You are comfortable working with teammates, people from other departments, and assisting zoo guests as needed.
• Have a Commitment to Excellence:You always get the job done completely, whether that job is cleaning a restroom, helping set up a Zoo event, or providing manual assistance to other workers.

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform cleaning duties including picking up trash, sweeping floors, disinfecting, vacuuming, cleaning restrooms, windows, and all other indoor and outdoor areas.
• Assist in set ups, room arrangements, and office relocations.
• Assist in event set up and strike of venues and large tent builds.
• Load and unload materials equipment, and supplies.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and one or more months related experience and/or training.
• A valid driver's license
• Basic computer, communication, and mathematics skills.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

BENEFITS

Woodland Park Zoo offers benefits and perks that may vary by employment classification, schedule, and eligibility.

Some perks include:

• 4 complimentary Zoo tickets per year plus other discounts and perks
• Accrue 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Free staff parking
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

SELECTION PROCESS

This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at [e-mail].

Offer:Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check.