What are the responsibilities and job description for the Commissary Technician position at Zoo New England?
SUMMARY
As a Commissary Technician, you will support animal care by performing a variety of essential tasks, including preparing diets according to established formulas and feeding schedules for our animal collection. Additional responsibilities include inventory management, ordering, stocking, and delivering produce, grains, hay, and other food items to various locations throughout the zoo. While this role does not involve direct animal contact, Commissary Technicians play a vital role in ensuring the health and welfare of the animals. This position follows a 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. schedule, with two days off during the week. Availability to work weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime is required.
WHO WE ARE
Zoo New England's mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations by creating fun and engaging experiences that integrate wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education. We operate both Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, founded in 1912, and Stone Zoo in Stoneham, founded in 1905. Together, our zoos attract over 1 million guests annually and are currently in an exciting phase of growth, with new exhibits, major events, and impactful projects on the horizon. As part of the Commissary Team within our Animal Health Department, you’ll play a critical role in supporting the wellbeing of thousands of animals across hundreds of species, many of which are endangered in the wild. Zoo New England is home to a passionate and diverse team, and we are committed to making a real difference in animal care and wildlife conservation.
WHO YOU ARE
- Efficiency in a fast-paced environment: This role involves a variety of tasks and responsibilities throughout the day, so we’re seeking someone who can work quickly, stay focused, and be consistently productive.
- Strong attention to detail: Accurate diet preparation is critical to animal health, making precision and care essential in everything you do.
- Clear and consistent communication: While much of the work is independent, open and proactive communication with the team is key to our success.
- Excellent organizational skills: We work in a compact space with a large inventory. Keeping things well-organized and ensuring proper stock rotation is essential.
- High standards of cleanliness and quality: We take pride in maintaining a clean, efficient, and professional commissary. We’re looking for someone who values the same level of excellence in their work.
YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Prepares animal diets as directed by commissary supervisor and veterinarians, using techniques such as thawing, chopping, washing, peeling, boiling, shredding, and weighing.
- Ensures compliance with all safety and sanitation regulations, including those set by OSHA, USDA, AZA, and local health authorities.
- Receives and inspects deliveries for quality, freshness, and accuracy; rejects items that do not meet standards and maintains records of inventory and issues, reporting concerns to the supervisor.
- Makes daily food deliveries to animal areas; prepares diet items for pickup; transports packages; loads, unloads, and transports heavy objects, including but not limited to crates, bags of grain, and bales of hay; and collects and delivers food items, supplies, and packages within and between zoo campuses or from external vendors.
- Works safely in proximity to all taxa, which includes being near mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates, without touching, feeding, engaging, or entering enclosures.
REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS
- High School diploma or GED.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, particularly Word, Outlook, Excel and Teams.
- Must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license with a safe driving history.
- Must be physically able to work on their feet for long periods and lift over 50lbs.
- Must have a valid drivers' license in good standing and be able to drive a full-size vehicle on public roads.
- Must be able and willing to work weekends, holidays, and overtime.
PREFERENCES
- Experience with food preparation, either in an animal care or human food service setting.
- Familiarity with animal nutrition or prior experience working with or around animals.
- Experience with inventory systems, food stock management, and rotation best practices.
- Previous experience in a zoo, aquarium, wildlife facility, or similar setting is a plus.
BENEFITS
ZNE offers a comprehensive benefits package for fulltime staff including:
- Medical, dental, and vision HMO plans for you and eligible dependents
- 9 paid holidays and 6 personal holidays annually
- Accrual of 10 vacation days and 12 sick days in your first year
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for wellness and mental health support
- Free Zoo New England membership after 90 days, including admission and in-zoo discounts
- Discounts and perks at Zoo New England and partner organizations across Massachusetts
- Free on-site staff parking
- 401(k) retirement plan available after 6 months of employment
Salary : $17