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Animal Diet Specialist & Warehouser

Zoo Careers


Job Location:

Seattle, WA - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 15 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 10 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

SALARY & FLSA:

Animal Diet Specialist:

$26.37 per hour; FLSA non-exempt

The starting rate for this role is $26.37 per hour. 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 at $30.13 being the maximum hourly pay rate.

Warehouser:

$29.84 per hour; FLSA non-exempt

The starting rate for this role is $29.84 per hour. 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 at $34.09 being the maximum hourly pay rate.

OPENING DATE: 08/11/2026

CLOSING DATE: 08/25/2026

JOB TYPE: Temporary

UNION: Represented

OPENINGS: 1

LOCATION: Onsite

DEPARTMENT: Commissary

As a temporary employee you may work in multiple job classifications. The primary need is for a Warehouser and we are interested in candidates that can also perform the Animal Diet Specialist role. We are looking for candidates who can fill-in for our 10-hour shifts 5:30 am 4:00 pm Monday - Sunday through December 31 2026.

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 whats 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

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
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.

Animal Diet Specialist:

  • 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • High School diploma GED or equivalent
  • Six months or more related experience in a warehouse environment.
  • Some experience with diet preparation processes.
  • Washington State Fork Lift Safety Certification or the ability to obtain certification within 2 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 drivers license with a safe driving history.

BENEFITS

The Woodland Park Zoo offers temporary staff the following benefits:

  • 4 complimentary Zoo tickets per year plus other discounts and perksâ
  • Accrue 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked
  • 403(b) Retirement Planââ
  • Free staff parking
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)â

SELECTION PROCESS
Application: Please complete your application through our Zoo Careers site at 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 .

Screening: After our review applications top 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 addition this role requires the applicant to successfully complete a: driving record review pre-employment physical and pre-employment tuberculosis test.


Required Experience:

IC