Housekeeper

Applitrack; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoo Knoxville is seeking a full-time Housekeeper to maintain clean, safe, and sanitary grounds, buildings, and public areas. You will perform daily cleaning duties, restock supplies, dispose of waste, and assist with special events to ensure a positive guest experience.

The role requires teamwork, adherence to safety rules, and ability to operate maintenance tools. Weekend and holiday shifts may be required; English communication is essential.

Qualifications

• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must possess understanding of safety practices and procedures.
• Must be able to safely operate several types of maintenance tools, power tools, and light equipment.
• Must have good English communication skills (oral and written).

Responsibilities

• Maintain clean, safe, and sanitary conditions throughout zoo grounds, buildings and public areas.
• Perform daily cleaning duties and restock supplies.
• Dispose of waste and assist with special events or projects as needed.
• Operate housekeeping tasks such as vacuuming, sweeping, mopping and restroom cleaning.
• Assist in installation, setup and removal of special exhibits or events.

Skills

English communication

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Maintenance hand tools

Power tools

Job description

Department: Guest Experience Date Updated: October 2025

Reports to: Housekeeping Coordinator Status:Full-Time, Non-exempt

Supervises:N/A Pay rate:$15.00 hourly

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Following the supervision of the Housekeeping Coordinator, this individual's role is to accomplish the general care and cleaning responsibilities of the grounds and facilities. The Zoo Housekeeper is responsible for maintaining clean, safe, and sanitary conditions throughout zoo grounds, buildings, and public areas. This position ensures a positive guest experience by performing daily cleaning duties, restocking supplies, disposing of waste, and assisting with special events or projects as needed. The Housekeeper works both independently and as part of a team to support the zoo's overall operations and appearance.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As a team member, exemplify Zoo Knoxville core values through interactions with guests and fellow team members.
• Followtheproceduresandguidelinesrelatingtothewell-beingandcareofgroundsandfacilities.
• Followandperformtheassignedroutinelyscheduled(dailyandlongrange)operationsandactivitiesofthe HousekeepingDepartment.Theseincludehousekeepingoperations.Theymayinvolve,butnotlimitedto,suchtasksasvacuumingcarpetedareas,sweepingandmoppingallhardfloors,cleaning(toilets,urinals,sinks,showers,mirrors,countersandpartitions)andrestockingallrestrooms,litterpickup,maintainingthecleanlinessofallpathwaysandpavedsurfaces,graffitiandgumremoval,windowcleaning,signcleaning,cleaningmats,cleaningkitchenareas,cleaningappliances,cleaningwaterfountains,etc.
• Periodicactivitiesmayinclude,butnotlimitedto,snowremoval,stripping,sealing,andbuffingallhardfloorsasneeded,shampooingcarpetedareas,andthoroughlycleanwholefacilities–lightfixtures,walls,ceilings,airhandlinggrates,baseboardmoldings,lockers,desks,chairs,etc.
• Minorproficiencyinthesafeoperationofhousekeepingandgroundsequipmenttoinclude,butnotlimitedto,trucks,carts,ladders,blowers,sweepers,buffers,polishers,shovels,brooms,handtools(screwdrivers,etc.) and other types ofhousekeepingtoolsand equipment.
• Maintainingthequality,appearance,cleanliness,safety,functionalityandusabilityofthepark,itsgrounds,buildingsandfacilities,withinandleadingtotheparkonacontinualbasisandinthemost timely,efficient,economicalandorganizedmanner.Thisincludesallpublic,animal,andsupportareas,andallinteriorandexteriorcomponents.MaintainingthequalityofallZoopropertyandresources,naturalorman-made,whichisundeveloped,usedforpurposesotherthanpublicorexhibitareas,orheldin reserve for futureuse.
• Assistintheinstallation,set-up,andremovalofspecial/temporaryexhibits,specialevents,orothereventrelated operations.
• Followtheprocedures and guidelines regardingsafety of personnel.
• Completedailyreportsofactivities, material /equipment use,andtimemanagement.
• WorkwithotherZoodepartmentstofollowguidelinessetupforprovidingapositiveandeducationalguestexperience.Providequalitycustomerservicetobothinternalandexternal customers.
• Demonstratecontinuedinterestinandknowledgeofadvancementsinthehousekeepingfield.
• AdherencetoanypoliciessetforthbyZoo Knoxville tocomplywithallgovernmentalorotherregulatoryagencies,including,butnotlimitedtonational,state,andlocalcodes,aswellasADAstandards,AZAstandards,USDA(AnimalandPlantRegulations),TWRA,OSHA,MOSH,EPA,DOT,etc.
• Thispositionwillrequirehands-oninvolvement.Theindividualassumingtheseresponsibilitieswillbeawareofthepotentialhealthandinjuryrisksinherentwiththeoperationsoftools,machinery,vehicles,chemicaluse,heavylifting(upto100pounds)andworkinginpotentiallydangerousanimalandpublicenvironments.
• Thisindividualwillpresentaprofessionalandneatappearanceatalltimes.Theattirewillbethestandard Zoo Knoxvilleuniform.Anametag will beworn at alltimeswhen representing this position.
• Otherdutiesandtasksasrequestedorrequiredbythe supervisor and Leadership Team.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must possess understanding of safety practices and procedures.
• Must be able to safely operate several types of maintenance related hand tools, power tools, and light equipment.
• Must be able to interact with employees/volunteers in a positive, constructive, and professional manner consistent with established Zoo Knoxville procedures.
• The ability to demonstrate and impart to staff, other employees, outside service personnel and/or contractors, cooperation and teamwork is a necessity.
• Individual should be organized, efficient, accurate, self-motivated, and neat.
• Must have legible handwriting, good communication skills in English (both oral and written), including, but not limited to, having good listening skills, good oral and written comprehension, and having good speech clarity and recognition when dealing with others and while communicating on phone, two-way radio, or other forms of communication devices.
• Must possess the ability to react quickly, effectively, and logically in high stress and/or emergency situations and to follow instructions as given.
• Must have the ability to learn a basic working knowledge of the building and grounds facilities as well as the botanical species used in support of the Zoo.

Don't meet every requirement? At Zoo Knoxville we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in thejobdescription, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

As an employee of Zoo Knoxville, you must possess English communication skills as well as the ability to communicate using a 2-way radio, email, and telephone. The position hours vary depending on business needs and will require weekend and some holiday shifts. Depending on the specific tasks, this position will be required to work within close proximity of exotic and domestic animals and must be aware that there are dangers inherent in working under those conditions. Zoo Knoxville is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace and as such, each employee must pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.