Archived listing. The details below describe a past opening.
Job Title: Housekeeper
Department: Guest Experience Date Updated: October 2025
Reports to: Housekeeping Coordinator Status: Full-Time, Non-exempt
Supervises: N/A Pay rate: $15.00 hourly
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Following the supervision of the Housekeeping Coordinator, this individual's role is to accomplish the general care and cleaning responsibilities of the grounds and facilities. The Zoo Housekeeper is responsible for maintaining clean, safe, and sanitary conditions throughout zoo grounds, buildings, and public areas. This position ensures a positive guest experience by performing daily cleaning duties, restocking supplies, disposing of waste, and assisting with special events or projects as needed. The Housekeeper works both independently and as part of a team to support the zoo's overall operations and appearance.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- As a team member, exemplify Zoo Knoxville core values through interactions with guests and fellow team members.
- Follow the procedures and guidelines relating to the well-being and care of grounds and facilities.
- Follow and perform the assigned routinely scheduled (daily and long range) operations and activities of the Housekeeping Department. These include housekeeping operations. They may involve, but not limited to, such tasks as vacuuming carpeted areas, sweeping and mopping all hard floors, cleaning (toilets, urinals, sinks, showers, mirrors, counters and partitions) and restocking all restrooms, litter pickup, maintaining the cleanliness of all pathways and paved surfaces, graffiti and gum removal, window cleaning, sign cleaning, cleaning mats, cleaning kitchen areas, cleaning appliances, cleaning water fountains, etc.
- Periodic activities may include, but not limited to, snow removal, stripping, sealing, and buffing all hard floors as needed, shampooing carpeted areas, and thoroughly clean whole facilities – light fixtures, walls, ceilings, air handling grates, baseboard moldings, lockers, desks, chairs, etc.
- Minor proficiency in the safe operation of housekeeping and grounds equipment to include, but not limited to, trucks, carts, ladders, blowers, sweepers, buffers, polishers, shovels, brooms, hand tools (screwdrivers, etc.) and other types of housekeeping tools and equipment.
- Maintaining the quality, appearance, cleanliness, safety, functionality and usability of the park, its grounds, buildings and facilities, within and leading to the park on a continual basis and in the most timely, efficient, economical and organized manner. This includes all public, animal, and support areas, and all interior and exterior components. Maintaining the quality of all Zoo property and resources, natural or man-made, which is undeveloped, used for purposes other than public or exhibit areas, or held in reserve for future use.
- Assist in the installation, set-up, and removal of special / temporary exhibits, special events, or other event related operations.
- Follow the procedures and guidelines regarding safety of personnel.
- Complete daily reports of activities, material / equipment use, and time management.
- Work with other Zoo departments to follow guidelines set up for providing a positive and educational guest experience. Provide quality customer service to both internal and external customers.
- Demonstrate continued interest in and knowledge of advancements in the housekeeping field.
- Adherence to any policies set forth by Zoo Knoxville to comply with all governmental or other regulatory agencies, including, but not limited to national, state, and local codes, as well as ADA standards, AZA standards, USDA (Animal and Plant Regulations), TWRA, OSHA, MOSH, EPA, DOT, etc.
- This position will require hands-on involvement. The individual assuming these responsibilities will be aware of the potential health and injury risks inherent with the operations of tools, machinery, vehicles, chemical use, heavy lifting (up to 100 pounds) and working in potentially dangerous animal and public environments.
- This individual will present a professional and neat appearance at all times. The attire will be the standard Zoo Knoxville uniform. A nametag will be worn at all times when representing this position.
- Other duties and tasks as requested or required by the supervisor and Leadership Team.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Must possess understanding of safety practices and procedures.
- Must be able to safely operate several types of maintenance related hand tools, power tools, and light equipment.
- Must be able to interact with employees/volunteers in a positive, constructive, and professional manner consistent with established Zoo Knoxville procedures.
- The ability to demonstrate and impart to staff, other employees, outside service personnel and/or contractors, cooperation and teamwork is a necessity.
- Individual should be organized, efficient, accurate, self-motivated, and neat.
- Must have legible handwriting, good communication skills in English (both oral and written), including, but not limited to, having good listening skills, good oral and written comprehension, and having good speech clarity and recognition when dealing with others and while communicating on phone, two-way radio, or other forms of communication devices.
- Must possess the ability to react quickly, effectively, and logically in high stress and/or emergency situations and to follow instructions as given.
- Must have the ability to learn a basic working knowledge of the building and grounds facilities as well as the botanical species used in support of the Zoo.
Don't meet every requirement? At Zoo Knoxville we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
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 and background check.