Oregon Zoo Safety & Security Officer Job – Portland

Metro is hiring a variable-hour Safety & Security Officer to support public safety operations at the Oregon Zoo in Portland.

This position is responsible for helping maintain a safe, welcoming and secure environment for zoo visitors, employees and animals. The officer may patrol zoo grounds, respond to safety concerns and emergencies, assist guests, manage crowds and traffic, document incidents and communicate with other members of the zoo’s public safety team.

The Oregon Zoo is operated by Metro, the regional government serving the greater Portland area. This is a variable-hour position with no guaranteed or fixed weekly schedule. Candidates should be prepared to work a flexible schedule that may include weekdays, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and special events.

Primary Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include:

• Patrol buildings, public areas, exhibits, parking areas and zoo grounds.
• Provide professional assistance, information and directions to zoo guests.
• Respond to alarms, emergency calls, disturbances and safety concerns.
• Evaluate incidents and request additional police, fire or medical assistance when needed.
• Assist with crowd management, traffic control and special-event operations.
• Provide basic first aid and CPR within the employee’s training level.
• Help evacuate guests and employees during emergencies.
• Identify and report security, safety, maintenance or facility concerns.
• Maintain radio communication with supervisors and other public safety personnel.
• Prepare detailed and accurate security incident reports.
• Maintain records related to incidents, equipment and daily activities.
• Enforce zoo policies while providing respectful customer service.
• Perform duties indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
  
  

The position can require extensive walking throughout the Oregon Zoo’s approximately 64-acre property. Previous Metro postings for this role indicated that officers may walk more than 10 miles during a shift.

Desired Qualifications

Strong candidates will generally have:

• Customer service and interpersonal communication skills.
• The ability to remain professional and composed during stressful situations.
• Experience in security, public safety, customer service, emergency response or a related environment.
• Strong observation, documentation and report-writing abilities.
• The ability to communicate clearly by radio and in writing.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• The physical ability to patrol a large, hilly property for extended periods.
• Availability for a flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings and holidays.
• Knowledge of basic security procedures and safe work practices.
• The ability to work respectfully with visitors and coworkers from diverse backgrounds.
  
  

Applicants should review the official Metro posting for its exact minimum qualifications, licensing requirements and preferred experience.

Schedule

This is a variable-hour position. Hours are based on operational needs and are not guaranteed. Shifts may include days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and special events. Variable-hour Metro employees are generally limited to 1,040 working hours during a 12-month period.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted through the official Metro GovernmentJobs posting.

Applications close August 17, 2026. Applicants should apply early in case the recruitment is changed or closed after a sufficient number of applications are received.