Zoo Steamfitter - Temperature Control

Milwaukee County Zoo

Hourly Pay: $47.93

Closing Date: August 12th, 2026 or upon receipt of the first 50 applications

Job Summary: The Zoo Steamfitter is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, installing, and supporting HVAC, refrigeration, heating, cooling, ventilation, and temperature control systems across the Zoo campus.

The position supports specialized environmental needs for animal care, public facilities, food storage, staff areas, and daily Zoo operations. This role responds to equipment failures and emergencies during and outside of normal working hours and must make independent decisions to restore safe and reliable facility conditions. The position is regularly relied upon for emergency response and after-hours support due to the Zoo's 24/7 animal care and public facility operations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• HVAC, Refrigeration, and Temperature Control Maintenance: Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and install HVAC, refrigeration, heating, cooling, ventilation, freezer, refrigerator, ice machine, chiller, boiler, pump, and related mechanical systems throughout the Zoo. Respond to failures that may impact animal care, public safety, food storage, staff safety, or facility operations.
• Animal Life-Support and Critical Environmental Systems: Maintain and respond to temperature-sensitive animal care systems, including exhibits, holding areas, quarantine spaces, and life-critical equipment. Ensure required temperatures, ventilation, humidity, and cooling/heating needs are maintained for animals that may not be able to be moved during equipment failures.
• Emergency Response and On-Call Support: Provide after-hours emergency support for HVAC, refrigeration, heating, cooling, and temperature control issues. Respond during nights, weekends, holidays, weather events, equipment failures, and animal care emergencies. Make independent decisions to protect animal health, public safety, and facility operations.
• Building Automation, Controls, and System Monitoring: Maintain, troubleshoot, adjust, and repair HVAC and refrigeration controls, BAS/Metasys systems, sensors, thermostats, alarms, control valves, actuators, and related control equipment. Monitor system performance and make adjustments to maintain proper environmental conditions.
• Contractor Coordination, Project Review, and Technical Support: Coordinate outside contractors, obtain quotes, review proposed work, explain Zoo-specific needs, assist with inspections, review blueprints and construction documents, and verify completed work meets operational and animal care requirements.
• Parts, Inventory, Estimates, and Documentation: Estimate materials and labor, source parts and equipment, maintain repair inventory, document repairs, track equipment history, and maintain records for critical HVAC, refrigeration, and control systems.

Minimum Requirements:

• Authorized to work in Wisconsin.
• Possession of a valid Wisconsin Driver's License, able to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a High School Diploma or GED Equivalent.
• At least Five (5) years as a Steamfitter
• At least one (1) year of experience maintaining and repairing control systems.
• Basic knowledge of all related computer and software applications, such as word processing and spreadsheets.
• Intermediate knowledge of Metasys.
• Willing to learn Maintain X within six (6) months of starting.
• Possession of a Refrigeration License.
• Possession of Master Steam Fitter License
• Able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 lbs.
• Willing and able to work irregular, unpredictable, or long hours when necessary.
• Completion of Steam fitting apprenticeship

NOTE:This original application is open to permanent residents of the state of Wisconsin at the time of application. In accordance with Section 11, Rule 3 of the Civil Service Rules a non-competitive examination will be held for this position. The non-competitive examination will consist of criteria deemed appropriate by the Director of Human Resources.

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION