What are the responsibilities and job description for the Seasonal Custodian position at Oregon Metro?
Position Summary
Anticipated work dates: 06/16/2026 – 10/01/2026
Please note that Seasonal Custodians are a type of Variable Hour Employee and shall work no more than 1,200 hours in a fiscal year.
Do you like being hands-on and enjoy the sense of accomplishment and pride in doing a job well? Do you approach your work with an attitude that no job is too big or too small? Come join the Oregon Zoo as a seasonal Custodian where you will play a vital role in maintaining a clean and welcoming environment for our visitors and animals. Your responsibilities will include general cleaning tasks, assisting guests with inquiries, and performing light maintenance duties. You will operate various equipment to ensure the zoo grounds and facilities are in top condition, while also helping with special projects and events. Join us in creating a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone who visits!
As a Custodian you will:
- Perform general custodial duties as needed around zoo grounds.
- Assist visitors with questions or issues such as a lost child, minor first aid or security issue.
- Sweep, mop, strip, recoat and polish floors; clean carpets; dust and polish furniture; wash windows, woodwork, restrooms and fixtures; pick up trash around. Perform other general custodial jobs as required.
- Maintain cleanliness of zoo grounds and buildings.
- Collect trash and recyclable materials from public areas, animal holding areas and offices; transport materials using garbage truck, "mini dump" or other zoo vehicles as needed.
- Perform maintenance duties such as replacing burned out light bulbs, removing graffiti, replacing restroom supplies, unclogging sinks and toilets, painting, moving office furniture, drain cleanouts and preparing rooms for meetings.
- Responsible for clean-up of biological contaminants as trained and needed.
- Perform deep cleaning duties such as stripping and recoating floors, touch-up painting, pressure washing specific areas and equipment, moving and cleaning under all garbage cans, and transferring recycled items to holding areas.
- Operates garbage trucks, mini dump trucks, dumpsters, person lift baskets, tractors, forklifts, pressure washers, industrial fans, ladders, painting equipment, cleaning equipment, hand tools and other equipment as required to complete custodial duties. Also operates computers, radios and other office equipment.
- Maintains cleaning equipment.
- Clean exhibit and service areas using pressure washer equipment.
- Assist with snow removal as required.
- Drive forklifts, garbage trucks, mini dumps, personnel lifts, golf carts, trucks and other equipment as need to complete custodial and maintenance chores.
Traits for success
- Experience performing custodial duties in a large, public venue with indoor and outdoor facilities.
- Ability to safety operate garbage trucks, mini dump trucks, self-dumping hoppers, person-lift baskets, tractors, forklifts, pressure washers, industrial fans, ladders, painting equipment, cleaning equipment, hand tools and similar equipment.
- Excellent customer services skills; willingness to assist the public, public officials and other employees in a professional and courteous manner.
- Demonstrated ability to follow safe work habits and contribute to the safety of the work group.
- Contribute to a positive work environment.
- Push, pull, lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Work outdoors in heat, cold and inclement weather
- Work independently and part of a team.
- Understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
- Walk, stand and work on concrete surfaces for extended periods of time.
- Work irregular hours, including holidays, evenings and weekends.
Approximate Recruitment Timeline
- Applications close March 5, 2026
- Interview week of May 11, 2026.
- Reference checks completed after interviews.
- Offers are made on the week of June 1, 2026.
- Orientation and training begin June 16, 2026.
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.
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 diploma or GED, and
- At least two years of experience in custodial and customer service work; or
- We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Required:
- Valid driver's license
This job requires the possession of or ability to obtain and maintain all of the following:
- Fork lift certification
- First Aid/CPR certification
- Bloodborne pathogen training
Shifts and schedule:
As a member of the custodial team, you'll need to be flexible with your availability, as shifts will include nights, weekends, and holidays as assigned. Your schedule will vary based on operational needs, weather conditions, and special events at the zoo, including school breaks, holidays, and the ZooLights season.
This is a seasonal position that will start around June 16, 2026 and conclude on October 1, 2026.
Summer season staff can expect a minimum of 20 hours of scheduled shifts per week with the following schedule outlined here:
- Evening shifts beginning either before or after 6pm and may go as late as 12:30 AM
- Additional hours could be scheduled during peak hours or events
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:
If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
REPRESENTATION
This seasonal position is eligible for overtime and is represented by Liuna union. It is classified as a Custodian. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.
This position is classified as seasonal. Seasonal employees cannot work more than 1,200 hours per year.
SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The application packet: The application packet consists of the following 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 complete online application
- Answers 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
- Driving records check for finalist candidate
Questions?
Recruiter: Christina Rentas
Email: christina.rentas@oregonmetro.gov
Additional Information
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.
How to Apply
For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page.
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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.
As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.
This is a variable hour position with no guarantee of hours. The position is eligible for these benefits:
- Paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave
- Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement if eligible and qualified.
- No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
- Employee Assistance Program
Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights!), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling.
Learn more about employee benefits.
Some variable hour positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits.
View union contracts here.