Position Type: OperationsDate Posted: 9/24/2026Location: Zoo KnoxvilleJob Title: Facilities Technician
Department: Facilities Date Written / Updated: 12/11/25
Reports To: Facilities Manager Status: Full Time, Non-exempt
Supervises: N/A Pay Rate: $19.00 per hour
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Facilities Technician is responsible for performing skilled and semi-skilled work in the maintenance, repair, and improvement of Zoo Knoxville facilities, exhibits, enclosures, and infrastructure. This role requires experience in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, concrete work, and mechanical repair, along with strong physical ability and adherence to safety protocols. The Facilities Technician supports Zoo operations to ensure a safe, functional, and engaging environment for animals, staff, and visitors.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Facilities Maintenance & Repairs
- Perform routine and emergency maintenance and repair of buildings, exhibits, enclosures, and utility systems.
- Conduct inspections and preventative maintenance on facilities, equipment, and tools.
- Follow established procedures and safety guidelines when performing maintenance, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, welding, concrete work, sheet metal, painting, and mechanical repairs.
- Operate and maintain hand tools, power tools, and light to medium/heavy equipment safely and effectively.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
- Follow procedures and guidelines relating to facilities, equipment, and assigned daily tasks, including cage work installation, concrete, carpentry, plumbing, electric tool operation, hand tool operation, painting, digging, equipment care, and maintenance.
- Maintain inventory of building materials, tools/equipment, and exhibit consumables, and order supplies as needed.
- Request supplies for the repair and completion of assigned tasks.
- Perform other general laborer duties as assigned.
- Other unlisted duties will be assigned.
2. Animal Enclosure & Exhibit Support
- Assist with cage work installation, modifications, and maintenance.
- Support construction, repair, and enhancement of artificial elements in exhibits (trees, rocks, vines) using concrete, fiberglass, epoxy, polyester, urethanes, plastic, wood, and metal.
- Fabricate exhibit components such as cage work, containment barriers, enrichment items, and interactive/electrical elements.
- Apply various forms of cement or epoxy, carve the applied material, and apply finish textures and paint with coordination of the Exhibit Design Manager.
- Assist with installation, set-up, tear-down, and removal of temporary or traveling exhibits, special events, or other event-related operations.
- Utilize mechanical drawings, schematics, and product manuals toward repair and maintenance activities.
- Perform construction maintenance, repair, or alteration work related to exhibit maintenance and construction.
- Participate in finish and detail work on exhibit environments.
3. Grounds, Earthwork & Material Handling
- Dig, spread, and level dirt, sand, and gravel using hand tools.
- Lift, carry, and manually transport construction materials, tools, and supplies.
- Move throughout a construction or zoo worksite including minor obstacles such as climbing ladders and inclines, operating heavy equipment, and lifting up to 50 pounds regularly and 100 pounds occasionally.
- Perform job site housekeeping duties.
- Assist with demolishing structures, sawing lumber, and dismantling forms.
- Assist with concrete and asphalt work, including aligning forms, shoveling materials, chipping concrete, raking, sweeping, and moving materials and tools.
- Assist with leveling various materials to fine grade specifications.
5. Equipment Operation & Safety
- Operate hand tools, power tools, and small equipment safely and effectively.
- Some proficiency in the safe operation of maintenance equipment, including trucks, carts, skid-steer loaders, backhoes, ladders, shovels, brooms, picks, drills, saws, grinders, band saws, cut-off saws, tape measures, levels, squares, pliers, wrenches, and other maintenance tools/equipment.
- Follow established operating procedures and safety guidelines for all equipment and tasks.
- Work within established procedures regarding safety standards and proper PPE use.
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
- High School Diploma or GED required; vocational training or higher education preferred.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
- Minimum 4 years of experience in general trades, facilities maintenance, or a similar role.
- Prior experience at an accredited AZA Zoological Facility preferred.
- Valid state-issued driver license required.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
As an employee of Zoo Knoxville, you must possess English communication skills as well as the ability to communicate using a 2-way radio, email and telephone. The position hours vary depending on business needs and will require weekend and some holiday shifts. Depending on the specific tasks, this position will be required to work within close proximity of exotic and domestic animals and must be aware that there are dangers inherent in working under those conditions. Zoo Knoxville is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace and as such each employee must pass a pre-employment drug screen.
