Operations Administrative Specialist​/OAS, Principal

• Telework Eligible:
  No
• Education Verification
• License / Certification Verification

• Job
• Location:
  
  Apple Valley
• Telework Eligible:
  No
• Full/Part Time:
  Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary:
  Unlimited
• Who May Apply:
  Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 10/02/2026
• Closing Date: 10/15/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit:
  Minnesota Zoological Garden / Zoological Gardens-AFSCME
• Division/Unit:
  Administration / Administrative Support
• Work Shift/
  
  Work Hours:
  
  Day Shift; 8:30 A.M.
  
  - 5:00 P.M.
• Days of Work:
  Monday - Friday
• Travel Required:
  
  Yes - up to 25%, on campus
• Salary Range: $24.54 - $33.11 / hourly; $51,239 - $69,133 / annually
• Classified Status:
  Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 206 - Clerical/AFSCME
• Work Area:
  All others
• FLSA Status:
  Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities:
  Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well‑being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Under limited supervision, provides advanced level administrative and strategic support to the Zoo’s Operations Division and its leadership (which includes areas like campus planning, facilities management, construction, finance, and human resources), serving as the primary administrative coordinator for the Operations programs. The position ensures seamless coordination of division processes, organizational alignment, and program execution while independently resolving complex administrative and operational issues.

The position also supports enterprise-wide administrative initiatives led by the Director of Administration, including governance, government relations, and other executive priorities.

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 exists to provide advanced level administrative support to the Operations division leadership; coordinate division-wide projects and executive initiatives requiring cross‑functional collaboration, organizational planning, and independent judgment; oversee division-wide administrative operations to ensure the continuity of campus planning, finance, HR, and other activities of the division; develop, implement and improve systems, procedures, and guidelines to govern the program areas; and support the Director of Administration with administrative, governance, government relations, and organizational initiatives as assigned.

• Provide advanced level administrative leadership to the Operations Division leadership so that seamless, confidential and strategically aligned operations across all units are ensured.
• Support the Director of Administration in other administrative duties such as Board operations, Board governance, and Government Relations so that their requests are met effectively.
• Coordinate division wide special projects and processes on behalf of Operations division leadership, so that division leaders’ interests are met.
• Facilitate and support Operations Division…