Zoo Maintenance Technician

City of Norfolk; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Norfolk operates the Zoo and seeks a Maintenance Mechanic II to uphold safety, facility integrity, and animal housing standards. You will perform repairs, preventive maintenance, and assist outside contractors while prioritizing safe access and visitor experience.

The role emphasizes outdoor work, varied tasks, and rapid response to work orders within an AZA-accredited environment. Two years’ experience and strong adaptability are valued.

Qualifications

• Level of knowledge equivalent to four years of high school or equivalency.
• Two years' experience as maintenance mechanic.

Responsibilities

• Perform skilled maintenance and repair of Zoo facilities, including roofs, fences, walkways, animal enclosures, and public areas.
• Maintain and troubleshoot building systems at the Administration Building, including chillers, cooling towers, and standard office-style infrastructure.
• Respond to service requests and radio calls promptly, documenting work through the asset management system.
• Conduct preventive maintenance tasks to reduce equipment failures and extend the life of building systems and Zoo infrastructure.
• Escort and assist outside contractors and other City trade personnel when work is outsourced, ensuring safe access to sensitive areas.
• Ensure compliance with AZA accreditation standards through consistent upkeep of animal housing, visitor facilities, and safety systems.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Maintenance Mechanic II is responsible for performing skilled maintenance and repair work across a wide range of facilities and grounds. This position ensures the upkeep of buildings, fences, roofs, walkways, exhibits, and outdoor infrastructure, along with supporting the Administration Building's mechanical systems, such as the chiller and cooling tower. Work will involve both preventive and corrective maintenance to sustain operations and ensure the Zoo remains safe and welcoming for staff, animals, and visitors.

This is a hands-on position that requires adaptability and versatility. The Zoo presents unique challenges compared to standard facilities, as work often involves specialized enclosures, outdoor structures, and sensitive environments where safety is paramount. The incumbent will respond to work orders and radio calls, document completed work using the City's asset management system, and proactively perform preventive maintenance tasks. While the position does not supervise staff or lead crews, the incumbent will occasionally serve as a liaison to outside contractors and other City trades, escorting them to appropriate areas within the Zoo and ensuring work is completed safely and effectively.

This position is well-suited for individuals who prefer variety and outdoor work, enjoy moving from task to task, and thrive in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.

The Zoo encompasses a wide variety of structures including animal enclosures, exhibit features, outdoor spaces, and traditional buildings such as the Administration Building, Education offices, and ticketing areas. Maintaining these facilities is essential to ensuring visitor safety, supporting Zoo operations, and upholding the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation standards, which require a high level of safety, functionality, and proactive maintenance.

Departmental Hiring Salary Range: $46,974.34-$53,697.58

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Perform skilled maintenance and repair of Zoo facilities, including roofs, fences, walkways, animal enclosures, and public areas.
• Maintain and troubleshoot building systems at the Administration Building, including chillers, cooling towers, and standard office-style infrastructure.
• Respond to service requests and radio calls promptly, performing corrective action and documenting work through the asset management system.
• Conduct preventive maintenance tasks to reduce equipment failures and extend the life of building systems and Zoo infrastructure.
• Escort and assist outside contractors and other City trade personnel when work is outsourced, ensuring safe access to sensitive areas.
• Ensure compliance with AZA accreditation standards through consistent upkeep of animal housing, visitor facilities, and safety systems.
• Support Zoo operations by maintaining safe and functional environments for staff, visitors, and animals.
• Utilize mobile devices and radios to monitor and respond to work orders in real time.
• Documents all work performed in the Asset Essentials work order management system, maintaining accurate and complete records.
• Collaborate with supervisors and other Facility Maintenance personnel to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Adhere to all safety requirements and protocols, especially in animal-sensitive or public areas.

Work requires knowledge necessary to understand basic operational and technical processes. Level of knowledge equivalent to four years of high school or equivalency.

Two years' experience as maintenance mechanic.

Preferred Education/Experience:

Two to four years of progressively responsible experience performing building, grounds, or facilities maintenance, preferably in a unique environment such as a zoo, park, aquarium, or public assembly facility. Additional vocational or technical coursework in building trades (carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, or electrical).

• Valid Driver's License Required

Work Hours:

This position is primarily scheduled 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, however, off days may alternate and the incumbent may occasionally be scheduled to work a weekend to support Zoo operations and events. Flexibility is essential to meet the needs of the facility and ensure proper coverage.