What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Diet Specialist & Warehouser position at Woodland Park Zoo?
Salary & Flsa
Animal Diet Specialist:
$25.42 per hour; FLSA non-exempt
$25.42 - $29.04. The starting rate for this role is $25.42. Every employee under the Joint Crafts Council wage scale, on first appointment, will receive the first step of the salary range for the position. Employees will advance to the second step at the start of the pay period after their one-year anniversary in the job classification and each milestone thereafter (3 years, 6 years, 11 years, and 17 years of service) with Step 6 being the maximum pay rate.
Warehouser
$28.76 per hour; FLSA non-exempt
$28.76 - $32.86. The starting rate for this role is $28.76. Every employee under the Joint Crafts Council wage scale, on first appointment, will receive the first step of the salary range for the position. Employees will advance to the second step at the start of the pay period after their one-year anniversary in the job classification and each milestone thereafter (3 years, 6 years, 11 years, and 17 years of service) with Step 6 being the maximum pay rate.
OPENING DATE: 09/30/2025
CLOSING DATE: 10/15/2025
JOB TYPE: Full-time, Regular
UNION: Represented
OPENINGS: 1
LOCATION: Onsite
DEPARTMENT: Commissary
This position's primary role is as an Animal Diet Specialist and has a out of class role as a Warehouser.
This role generally consists of 4, 10-hour days. Days and hours worked as an Animal Diet Specialist will be compensated at $25.42 rate and days and hours worked as a Warehouser will be compensated at $28.76 per hour.
The days and hours work in each role may change due to operational needs.
HOW DO YOU ZOO?
More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.” Apply today and show us how you zoo.
Who You Are
As our new Animal Diet Specialist & Warehouser, we know you will be successful in this role because you are:
Warehouser
The Woodland Park Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package for full time staff including:
Application: Please include a resume with your application through our Zoo Careers site at zoo.org/jobs. Please be sure to list or upload copies of all relevant training and certifications on your application. The zoo may review existing application pools to fill this position or use this pool to fill future vacancies.
This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.
Screening: We will review applications and select some candidates for screening calls. Final candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person interviews.
Offer: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check. In addition, this role requires the applicant to successfully complete a: driving record review, pre-employment physical, and pre-employment tuberculosis test.
Animal Diet Specialist:
$25.42 per hour; FLSA non-exempt
$25.42 - $29.04. The starting rate for this role is $25.42. Every employee under the Joint Crafts Council wage scale, on first appointment, will receive the first step of the salary range for the position. Employees will advance to the second step at the start of the pay period after their one-year anniversary in the job classification and each milestone thereafter (3 years, 6 years, 11 years, and 17 years of service) with Step 6 being the maximum pay rate.
Warehouser
$28.76 per hour; FLSA non-exempt
$28.76 - $32.86. The starting rate for this role is $28.76. Every employee under the Joint Crafts Council wage scale, on first appointment, will receive the first step of the salary range for the position. Employees will advance to the second step at the start of the pay period after their one-year anniversary in the job classification and each milestone thereafter (3 years, 6 years, 11 years, and 17 years of service) with Step 6 being the maximum pay rate.
OPENING DATE: 09/30/2025
CLOSING DATE: 10/15/2025
JOB TYPE: Full-time, Regular
UNION: Represented
OPENINGS: 1
LOCATION: Onsite
DEPARTMENT: Commissary
This position's primary role is as an Animal Diet Specialist and has a out of class role as a Warehouser.
This role generally consists of 4, 10-hour days. Days and hours worked as an Animal Diet Specialist will be compensated at $25.42 rate and days and hours worked as a Warehouser will be compensated at $28.76 per hour.
The days and hours work in each role may change due to operational needs.
HOW DO YOU ZOO?
More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.” Apply today and show us how you zoo.
Who You Are
As our new Animal Diet Specialist & Warehouser, we know you will be successful in this role because you are:
- Enjoy an Active role: You thrive in roles where you are required to be on your feet both inside and outside either lifting boxes or operating heavy machinery.
- Tech Savvy: You are proficient in Microsoft office and are able to navigate inventory databases. Organized: You have a high level of organization and attention to detail when fulfilling or receiving orders.
- Not Squeamish: You are comfortable working with live crickets, worms, fish, dead prey animals, blood, as well as working in an environment with dust and hay.
- Precise in Food Preparation: You are someone who is skilled in the kitchen and can quickly prepare food with precision.
- Safety First: You handle knives and kitchen appliances in a safe manner.
- Open to 4/10 Schedule: You are able to work 10-hour days as well as evenings, weekends, and/or holidays
Warehouser
- Receives, stocks, and delivers equipment, materials, and supplies for the zoo.
- Prepares bulk animal diets, following prescribed standing orders for the assigned areas of the zoo.
- Delivers and picks up diets to/from animal units.
- Picks up food and non-food items from vendors as needed.
- Maintains and monitors grain, hay, and food quality in accordance with USDA regulations and AZA accreditation standards.
- Cleans and organizes the warehouse.
- Safely operates a forklift.
- Performs routine record-keeping and related clerical duties such as data entry and maintenance of files and records.
- Communicates with commissary management regarding stock shortages and quality concerns.
- Orders items under the direction of the Purchasing & Distribution Manager.
- Collects invoices, credit card receipts and packing slips to document purchases; checks product received against packing slips; and assists with inventory counts.
- Fills and delivers uniform orders; maintains uniform inventory.
- Assists in training new staff or other staff in Warehouser tasks, as directed.
- Prepares animal diets, following prescribed diet sheets, to be delivered to assigned areas of the zoo.
- Stocks commissary kitchen with perishable food needed for diet preparation.
- Cleans and organizes commissary kitchen in accordance with USDA regulations and AZA accreditation standards.
- Maintains and monitors food quality according to USDA regulations and AZA accreditation standards.
- Communicates with Commissary management regarding food order changes, stock shortages and quality concerns related to animal diet prep.
- Performs routine record-keeping and related clerical duties such as data entry and maintenance of animal diet files.
- Creates food based enrichment per approved requests from Animal Management.
- Washes and sanitizes animal diet dishes/containers.
- High School diploma, GED or equivalent
- Six months or more related experience and/or training in a food warehouse environment.
- Experience with diet preparation processes.
- Washington State Fork Lift Safety Certification or the ability to obtain certification within 3 months of hire.
- Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid WA driver's license with a safe driving history.
The Woodland Park Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package for full time staff including:
- Medical, dental, and vision HMO and PPO plans for you and eligible dependents
- 11 paid holidays and 4 personal holidays
- Accrue 12 vacation days and another 12 days of sick leave your first year
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Free zoo membership that includes zoo admission and discounts after 90 days
- 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perks
- Free staff parking
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
Application: Please include a resume with your application through our Zoo Careers site at zoo.org/jobs. Please be sure to list or upload copies of all relevant training and certifications on your application. The zoo may review existing application pools to fill this position or use this pool to fill future vacancies.
This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.
Screening: We will review applications and select some candidates for screening calls. Final candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person interviews.
Offer: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check. In addition, this role requires the applicant to successfully complete a: driving record review, pre-employment physical, and pre-employment tuberculosis test.
Salary : $25 - $29
