Scovill Zoo Maintenance(Full-Time)

Decatur Park District; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Decatur Park District seeks a hands-on maintenance worker to oversee routine upkeep of zoo facilities, trains, carousel, and related grounds. You will perform scheduled maintenance, minor repairs, and assist with events, ensuring safety and cleanliness across all exhibits.

The role requires the ability to work outdoors in varying weather, lift up to 50 pounds, and coordinate with park staff and contractors for building inspections and equipment servicing.

Qualifications

• One-year certificate from college or technical school or three to six months related experience.
• Ability to read safety rules and operating manuals.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance on trains, carousel, zoo vehicles, and buildings.
• Repair fences, enclosures, and exhibit structures.
• Operate heavy equipment to move materials.
• Assist with special events setup and teardown.
• Participate in emergency drills and safety trainings.

Skills

Safety procedures

Reading comprehension

Teamwork

Outdoor work

Education

Certificate from college or technical school

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include the following.Other duties may be assigned.

Perform routine maintenance of the following:

Train and railroad tracks:

Start the train each morning and pull it around to the station during the zoo's open season. Check train's engine oil and radiator fluid and refuel as needed. Check all fluid levels on the train. Monitor operating temperature, brakes and air pressure, and engine performance, contacting Park District mechanics as needed to make repairs. Check railroad tracks, noting decayed ties, gauging for proper width, replacing loose spikes, and lubricating switches. Ensure that the tracks are free of debris, and wax as needed. Refinish seat boards to maintain their condition.

Carousel:

Lubricate the carousel as needed and monitor for any problems or unsafe conditions. Clean up grease on the concrete pad under the carousel. Apply protective coating to carousel animals as assigned by the zoo director.

Zoo vehicles:

Routinely check engine fluid levels and tire pressure and refuel as needed. Monitor any problems or unsafe conditions, notify the zoo director and Park District mechanics when problems are found. Take vehicles to the shop for scheduled oil changes and other routine maintenance. Maintain the toolkat, golf carts, mowers, and other mechanical equipment.

Zoo buildings:

Conduct monthly building inspections, complete the appropriate inspection form and notify the zoo director of areas of concern. Perform routine maintenance, such as repairing door latches, replacing light bulbs, cleaning air conditioning units, replacing furnace filters, etc. Paint interior and exterior surfaces as assigned by the zoo director. Clean gutters, drains, etc. as needed. Winterize toilets and water lines of unheated buildings and hand-washing sinks. Coordinate with outside professionals in checking fire extinguishers, fire-fighting water lines, and sprinkler systems. Seal and stain decking as needed.

Other equipment:

Maintain and repair wheelbarrows, chainsaws, picnic benches, etc. Haul the compost trailer.

Animal exhibits and holding areas:

Repair fences, animal enclosures, and animal buildings when repairs are within the abilities of zoo staff. Perform small construction projects to modify exhibits. Mowing the exhibits as well as other general areas within the zoo.

Operate heavy equipment

to move agricultural limestone, mulch, snow, dirt, rock, and sand.

Set up and tear down for the zoo's special events

including moving picnic tables, setting up decorations, etc. Also work evenings and weekend for special events such as Boo at the Zoo and the annual Zoorific fundraiser

Remove snow from drives, walkways, and steps

using heavy equipment, hand equipment, and melting agents as appropriate.

Assist with overall operations when needed,

i.e. parking assistance, load patrons onto the train, etc.

Facility Wide:

Participate in various emergency drills held within the facility.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervise as required when support staff is needed to complete work assignments

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill, and/or ability required.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

One year certificate from college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; and toxic or caustic chemicals.

Decatur Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.