Careers

Senior Marketing Manager

The Senior Marketing Manager is responsible for increasing attendance and enhancing the public image of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo through comprehensive marketing, special events and communication strategies. This role oversees advertising, website and special events, and serves as PIO when the Zoo’s communications director is unavailable. The Senior Marketing Manager oversees advertising production and placement in coordination with an external ad agency, manages sponsorship contracts and the marketing budget. This position acts as a secondary media contact, including on-call PIO duty every other weekend. The Senior Marketing Manager is a member of the Zoo’s senior leadership team. View full job description.

COMPENSATION: $75,000 – $85,000
To Apply: Please submit your cover letter and resume to Tracey Gazibara, executive vice president, at tgazibara@cmzoo.org. No phone calls, please.

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HVAC Technician

Do you thrive in complex, hands-on environments where no two days are ever the same? Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is looking for an experienced HVAC Technician to help keep our unique mountain zoo operating at peak performance. With nearly 50 buildings housing everything from animal habitats to restaurants, classrooms, and offices, this role is essential to the comfort, safety, and function of our zoo community.
What You’ll Do:
– Perform skilled HVAC maintenance and repairs across a wide range of systems, including residential-style units, mini-splits, rooftop units, and large-scale commercial systems (up to 10,000 sq ft).
– Take the lead on our HVAC Preventive Maintenance Program, ensuring equipment runs efficiently and reliably year-round.
– Oversee and guide the work of our Preventive Maintenance Technician, ensuring quality control and timely task completion.
– Conduct an annual, zoo-wide HVAC inspection and provide actionable recommendations.
– Work collaboratively with other departments to troubleshoot issues and plan for future infrastructure improvements.
– Support other building systems as needed—this role goes beyond HVAC!

Who You Are:
– A skilled HVAC technician with 5–10 years of commercial HVAC experience, ideally across a variety of system types and building sizes.
– Experienced in diagnostic work, repair, installation, and preventive maintenance of HVAC systems.
– Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
– Organized, proactive, and focused on delivering high-quality work.
– Excited by the idea of supporting a mission-driven organization in a one-of-a-kind mountain setting.

Perks of the Job:
– A full-time, hands-on position with a non-traditional 5-day work schedule (Sunday –Thursday or Tuesday – Saturday & occasional after-hours work may be required).
– Opportunities to grow your skills by working on other systems beyond HVAC.
– Work as part of a team of highly skilled maintenance technicians who take care of all aspects of maintaining a zoo.
– A beautiful, dynamic work environment unlike anywhere else in the world.
-The chance to make a real impact on animal welfare, guest experience, and conservation efforts.

Sound like your kind of job?
Apply your expertise in a place where your work truly matters—and every day brings a new challenge. View full job description.

COMPENSATION: $25-$30 per hour (commensurate with experience)
Benefits: This is a fully benefited position, including group medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid holiday, vacation, and sick time; retirement plan; zoo membership; eligibility for the bonus program; and discounts on concession and gift shop purchases.
To Apply: Submit your resume and cover letter via Indeed by April 10, 2025.

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Entry Level Maintenance Technician

Location: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Schedule: 5-day work week (Sunday–Thursday or Tuesday–Saturday); occasional after-hours work may be required.
Application Deadline: April 10, 2025
Why Join Cheyenne Mountain Zoo?
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is seeking a dedicated and motivated Entry Level Maintenance Technician to join our team! With nearly 50 unique buildings—including animal habitats, restaurants, classrooms, and offices—our facilities team plays a vital role in keeping our mountain zoo running smoothly, safely, and efficiently. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone early in their maintenance career who is looking to grow in a mission-driven, hands-on environment. If you’re mechanically inclined, love solving problems, and enjoy variety in your work, we encourage you to apply!

What You’ll Do
As an Entry-Level Zoo Maintenance Technician, you’ll work with an amazing and experienced team to help keep the Zoo running smoothly and safely. You’ll learn a wide range of skills while supporting the upkeep of buildings, systems, and equipment across the Zoo:
– Assist with general maintenance and repairs across trades (mechanical, plumbing, electrical, etc.)
– Help care for systems like HVAC, filtration/life support, amusement rides, and more (no HVAC certification needed)
– Learn to troubleshoot equipment and perform basic repairs
– Support the setup, repair, and installation of equipment and systems
– Help keep work areas, shops, and vehicles clean and organized
– Get hands-on experience with Sky Ride, Carousel, elevators, and more
– Stay safe by inspecting and maintaining safety equipment
– Use tools, read plans, and follow codes to complete tasks
– Join the snow team when winter weather hits
It’s a great opportunity to build your skills, learn on the job, and grow your career with a team that’s passionate about what they do!

What We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate is:
– An entry-level technician with a strong desire to learn and grow within a unique and exciting work environment.
– Familiar with various maintenance disciplines including plumbing, electrical, carpentry, or general repair.
– Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, hands-on setting.
– Organized, safety-minded, and committed to high-quality workmanship.
– Excited to contribute to a mission-driven organization that supports wildlife conservation and education.

Perks of the Job
– Full-time position with comprehensive benefits including:
– Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
– Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
– Retirement plan with zoo contributions
– Complimentary zoo membership
– Eligibility for performance-based bonus program
– Discounts on food, beverage, and gift shop items
– A one-of-a-kind workplace surrounded by wildlife, mountains, and passionate professionals
– The chance to make a lasting impact on animal welfare, guest experience, and conservation initiatives
– Access to professional development and advancement opportunities

Ready to Join Us?
Put your maintenance knowledge and positive attitude to work in a place where it truly matters—and where every day brings a new challenge. View full job description.

COMPENSATION: $19.23 – $20.23 per hour (commensurate with experience)
To Apply: Submit your resume and cover letter via Indeed by April 10, 2025.

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Guest Experience Associate

This position is responsible for facilitating excellent service to our guests at all times including, but not limited to, base/reception, parking, admissions, carousel, shuttle, giraffe experience, elephant and rhino feedings, and Sky Ride. The Guest Experience Team Member promotes professional working relationships with both internal and external customers. This position is non-supervisory in nature. The Guest Experience Team Member adheres to and supports all organizational policies and procedures and standards, and promotes teamwork! View full job description.

COMPENSATION: $15/hour
To Apply: Please send your resume and cover letter to gshiring@cmzoo.org

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Development Officer

This position is primarily responsible for prospect research activities, donor cultivation, stewardship and solicitation for the Zoo’s capital projects and other fundraising programs. This position is non-supervisory in nature. Adheres to and supports all organizational policies and procedures and standards. Promotes teamwork! View full job description.

COMPENSATION: $25 per hour
To Apply: Please send your cover letter and resume (both documents are required for consideration) to Kelley Parker, Director of Development, at  kparker@cmzoo.org.  Please type "Development Officer Candidate" in the subject line.  No phone calls, please.

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Post-Graduate Veterinary Technician Program

Congratulations on your decision to pursue a career as a Zoo Veterinary Technician! Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is an excellent place to begin your journey. During the 6 month program, you will gain valuable hands-on experience in zoo wildlife care, working closely with experienced veterinary technicians, zoo veterinarians and zoo keeper staff. After the program, you will be better prepared to be competitive for other zoo veterinary technician positions. Please keep in mind that you may need to move around to find the right job. This program is open to post graduate, credentialed, experienced veterinary technicians only. View full program description and application requirements.

COMPENSATION: Stipend of $1300 at the end of each month.
To Apply: Review required application materials in the program description link for details. Applications close in February for a start date of May (runs May-October), and close in August for a start date of November (runs November-April). Send a resume and letter of interest to vetstaff@cmzoo.org, addressed to Brenda Cordova. No phone calls please.

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Food Service & Retail Positions

(Managed by The SSA Group) Currently hiring for:
– Line Coooks
– Food Service Associates
– Warehouse Runners
– Retail Associates

For more information & to apply click here

All other: Aletha Nylen, Director of Admin Operations – alethanylen@thessagroup.com

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Adult Volunteers

Have time on your hands? Want to do something worthwhile in an exciting, beautiful setting? Come to the Zoo and volunteer. You’ll be glad you did. Whether you want to help keep our animals comfortable, help children have a wonderful zoo experience, or work in an office, your efforts are needed. More about adult volunteering…

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The Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Institution.