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Hospital Manager/Registrar– State Program Admin Supervisor Senior
Minnesota Zoological Gardens
Apple Valley, MN · Applications close Aug 20, 2026
Position Type
Full-Time
Hours
Monday - Friday, Day shift; 7:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Wage
$64,895 - $93,980 (annual)
Reports To
Director of Animal Health
Summary
This position is an assisting leadership role, partnering with the Director of Animal Health on oversight of the Animal Health team at the Minnesota Zoo in support of the Zoo’s mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. Provides oversite for the care of the Hospital and Quarantine Animal Collection in collaboration with appropriate Animal Care leads, supervises all aspects of daily operations, and ensures the highest quality professional care, training, and wellbeing for the collection. Obtains and manages the resources needed to support all Animal Health programs. This position manages the Zoo animal records and related policies, validates the quality of recorded data, and ensures the legal compliance of all animal transactions. Serves as liaison to government entities and other zoological institutions, including zoological and/or aquarium accrediting bodies, regarding animal records, wildlife permitting, animal transactions, and related matters. This position is a member of the Animal Health leadership team and collaborates with other Zoo departments. Contribute to initiatives of the CHCB team (Care, Health, Conservation and Behavior) as it relates to the Zoo’s strategic priorities in animal care and education. This position supports operations across a large campus environment and requires the employee to travel between multiple buildings and work sites located throughout the campus to perform assigned duties and respond to operational needs. The incumbent must be able to travel between campus locations in a timely and reliable manner to carry out essential job functions. When job duties require the operation of a motor vehicle to access work sites, transport equipment, or respond to service needs, the employee must be able to safely operate a vehicle and possess a valid and unrestricted driver’s license. This position may also need to travel offsite to support professional development and zoo projects.
Primary Functions
Duties include but are not limited to: Exercise supervisory authority while assisting the Director of Animal Health in developing, directing, and managing Animal Health personnel so that required staffing resources are available and strategically invested and department policies are developed and implemented Serve as Hospital Manager for Animal Health so that effective and efficient organization is maintained. Provide Registrar support for the Zoo, including maintaining the computer-based Animal Management Record system ZIMS Species360 for the entry and preservation of animal information with immediate access by Care, Health, Conservation, and Behavior (CHCB), and act as the primary Administrator responsible as the Minnesota Zoo contact with Species 360. Provide program, assistance and management so that required staffing resources are available and strategically invested in hospital operations to ensure support of the Minnesota Zoo’s mission and strategic priorities. Oversee all local, state, national and global licenses, permits and legal agreements relating to animal transactions at the Minnesota Zoo including import, export, licensing, capture, transport, educational exhibition, captive breeding and injurious wildlife permits. so that local, state, federal and international laws, policies and guidelines are followed. Administer and provide oversight into all animal transactions involving the Zoo’s animal and conservation collections, ensuring that acquisitions and dispositions follow established guidelines. Keep accurate records of animal transactions in progress and completed. Ensure that financial transactions regarding animal acquisitions/dispositions are completed. Administer annual loan agreement between the Minnesota Zoo, other institutions and individuals so that legal documentation exists spelling out the terms of the transactions. Participate in the Minnesota Zoo's Animal Management Committee meetings to advise on legal requirements regarding animal acquisitions and dispositions.
Skills & Qualifications
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications The following qualifications are required of all applicants seeking consideration for this position. Only applicants whose application materials clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for the position. To ensure accurate evaluation, your resume must clearly describe your experience in the required areas. For each job, include whether it was full-time, part-time, or intermittent/on-call; how many hours per week you worked; and the month and year you started and ended. Two (2) years of experience performing analysis, exercising judgment, and relying on specialized knowledge in a related field such as biology, zoology, animal science, or animal behavior.* *A bachelor’s degree in Biology, zoology, animal science, animal behavior or other closely related field as determined by the agency may substitute for one (1) year of experience. Associate’s degree may substitute for six months of experience. Demonstrated emotional intelligence through effective communication, sound judgment, and respectful interactions with employees, peers, and stakeholders. Experience serving as a supervisor, team lead, lead worker, or project lead that included directing or coordinating the work of others, establishing expectations, providing guidance and feedback, and supporting staff in achieving work objectives. Valid current driver’s license Experience training and supporting staff by providing guidance on records management, data entry standards, and established procedures while ensuring accuracy and consistency. Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, adapt to changing priorities, and identify opportunities to improve processes and operations. Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and work independently, developing proficiency in assigned procedures, integrating new information effectively, and completing tasks with limited supervision. Preferred Qualifications College degree in biology, records management or another related field or equivalent experience Three (3) or more years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience Competent experience with records management, database management or administration, informatics or information technology Completion of the AZA Institutional Records Keeping (IRK) course, Zoological Registrars Association (ZRA) Training Certificate Program, Certified Records Analyst (CRA) or Certified Records Manager (CRM), and/or certifications in records or museum management Experience organizing and prioritizing multiple responsibilities, adapting work plans in response to changing operational needs, and identifying or implementing improvements to processes or operations. Completion of a leadership development program, such as the State of Minnesota Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI), Senior Leadership Institute (SLI) or a comparable program. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. It is policy of the Minnesota Zoo that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components: Conflict of Interest Review Criminal History Check including fingerprinting Education Verification Employment Reference / Records Check License / Certification Verification
Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements Current rabies vaccination and negative TB or ability to become Rabies vaccinated and complete a negative TB test within the probationary period and complete ongoing Rabies titer testing. The MN Zoo will cover the cost of your vaccines if you schedule your appointment through our occupational health clinic, upon hire. Ability to work all days of the week and all shifts, as needed Ability to constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Ability to frequently bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, reach upward, twist and have good lateral movement Ability to perform large amount of walking including up and down stairs Ability to perform tasks requiring heavy use of arms, wrists, and exertion of upper body, arms and hands to perform duties Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions year-round, sometimes on uneven terrain Ability to work with potentially dangerous exotic and domestic animals Ability to provide care for the animal collection under all weather conditions Ability to work with animals with potential zoonotic diseases Additional Requirements Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
How to Apply
https://mnzoo.org/us/job-opportunities/
Contact
Please direct any questions to brittany.norton@state.mn.us .
Contact Us
General
Shelly Roach, President
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
P: 614-645-3429
F: 614-645-3465
shelly.roach@columbuszoo.orgMembership Chair
Vickie Edel, Chair
Audubon Nature Institute
P: 504-212-5369
vedel@auduboninstitute.orgProfessional Development
Rae Lynn Haliday, MBA, CRM/CIGO, FAI, Chair
Saint Louis Zoo
P: 314-646-4572
F: 314-647-7969
haliday@stlzoo.orgZRA connects, trains and empowers the community of zoo and aquarium registrars.