Pest Control Technician

Position Title: Pest Control Technician

Department: Maintenance

Supervisor: Maintenance Manager

Position Status: Full-Time, Hourly

Nashville Zoo Mission:

Nashville Zoo is dedicated to inspiring a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership. With a diverse collection of animals and a commitment to wildlife preservation, we provide engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.

Why Work with Us:

At Nashville Zoo, we believe in taking care of our team just as well as we care for our animals. Full-time employees enjoy a robust benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and future:

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage – including medical, dental, and vision plans to keep you and your family healthy.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – confidential support services for mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching – helping you build a secure future while you make a meaningful impact today.
• Generous paid time off and sick leave – because rest and recovery are vital.
• Exclusive zoo perks – enjoy discounts on park experiences, retail, and food services, plus complimentary membership benefits.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture – be part of a diverse team where your voice matters, your growth is nurtured, and collaboration thrives across all departments.
• AZA - accredited facility – Nashville Zoo is committed to top-tier animal care, ethics and global conservation efforts.

Position Description:

With veterinary oversight and guidance, the Pest Control Technician is responsible for design, maintenance, application, and evaluation of a responsive and preventive pest control program through both chemical product and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches. The Pest Control Technician is responsible to provide safe, effective, preventive and responsive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control pests (including vermin, birds, insects, and others) for Nashville Zoo collection, food services, and grounds.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategies to preclude food sources and harborage for pests in collection, non-collection, and food service areas on grounds.
• Maintain direct communication with Zoological Managers and Lead Keepers on pest control problems, including written and electronic reports.
• Act as on-grounds contact with City of Nashville officials in mosquito deterrence and control and consultants for pest control problems.
• Responsible for unloading, storage, inventory rotation, safe and appropriate expired waste discard, and ordering chemical pest control supplies. Maintain organized workspace and work vehicle.
• Assist with unloading, storage, and maintenance of all dry goods and supplies in commissary warehouse and other areas of the zoo as needed.
• Apply chemical agents in a Safe, legal, and efficient manner for controlling pest organisms and humane trapping (lethal and capture depending on species) of vermin, including disposing of carcasses appropriately.
• Transport and deliver animals, as it relates to pest control management, regarding nuisance wildlife transport, both on and off zoo grounds.
• Provide routine computerized updates to chemical applications and Integrated Pest Management activities for each area and prepare detailed reports. These are to be provided to the Veterinary Director and approved prior to any changes to administration techniques or chemical application changes.
• Provide routine and requested updates to IPM protocols and SDS reviews for pest control products.
• Adhere to established safety guidelines. Participates in established animal escape drills and procedures.
• Assist in grounds clean up and removal of pest nuisances.
• Assist other facilities team members and/or Zoo contractors as needed.
• All duties that pertain to pest control techniques/procedures (hot wire, bird sound deterrent, light deterrent)
• Other duties assigned.

Qualifications

Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of materials, methods, tools and equipment used in cleaning and ability to work safely with potentially dangerous and toxic chemicals.
• Must demonstrate familiarity with all SDS protocols, application guidelines, and safety procedures and be willing to always follow them, especially as it refers to managing and applying pest control products.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of occupational hazards involved and the safe work practices to employ while in proximity of potentially dangerous animals.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions, and otherwise communicate effectively and efficiently with co-workers and supervisor.
• Strong knowledge of computer programs of basic word processing, spreadsheets, and internet database access, and comfort with data entry.
• Considerable knowledge of the zoo’s mission and philosophy.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations and to respond with appropriate action.
• Strong interpersonal skills including ability to have a good relationship with diverse groups with tact and maturity.
• Ability to always represent Nashville Zoo in a professional manner.
• Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, co-workers, visitors and the general public.
• Spanish speaking preferable to allow integration with on-grounds support staff in day-to-day operations.

Education/ Experience:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Tennessee C7 pest control applicator license.
• Previous experience of three (3) years in performing pest control applications, and preferably in licensed capacity.
• Experience in sensitive environments, such as a zoo, aquarium, hospital, food handling establishments, or school, or like institution, is preferred.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Physical Requirements:

Staff must frequently stand and walk for most of an 8–10‑hour shift and regularly bend, kneel, reach, climb, and perform repetitive motions while cleaning, maintaining grounds, or performing facilities repairs. These roles require frequently lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lbs and occasionally heavier items with assistance, as well as safely navigating ladders, stairs, uneven surfaces, and wet or slippery areas. Adequate vision, hearing, hand dexterity, and clear communication are necessary to operate tools, equipment, vehicles, and radios safely. Work occurs both indoors and outdoors year‑round in all weather conditions, with routine exposure to dust, dirt, chemicals, cleaning agents, noise, and equipment vibration. Positions may involve using power tools, machinery, or motorized vehicles and require adherence to established safety procedures. PPE such as gloves, protective footwear, eye and hearing protection, or respirators may be required depending on the task. Schedules may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime based on operational needs. The role must learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete task independently, and make timely decisions in the context of a workflow.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Work Schedule:

• Must be available to work any of seven days of the week.
• Must be available to work special needs or events that may occur outside of regular work schedule, including evenings, weekends, or holidays as required.

Pre-employment requirements:

Nashville Zoo is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and maintains a drug-free work environment. All employment is at-will.

• All candidates are required to successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screening prior to hire.
• Pre-employment and annual tuberculosis (TB) screenings are a condition of continued employment.

Pay Range

$24.52—$24.52 USD