Minnesota Zoological Garden

Sub-department

Tropics & MN Trail

Base pay

$56,956

Overtime

$2,575

Other pay

$74

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$59,605

Hire date

2021-12-08

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

69

Union / bargaining unit

Technical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Kelly Sandhofer holds the role of Zoo Keeper at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Tropics & MN Trail. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 4 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $59,605. Their bargaining unit is Technical.

Sub-department

Ambassador Animals

Base pay

$57,338

Overtime

$2,052

Other pay

$205

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$59,596

Hire date

2018-05-10

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

69

Union / bargaining unit

Technical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Christian Dietert is a Zoo Keeper at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Ambassador Animals. Their tenure dates to 2018, about 7 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $59,596. They are represented by Technical.

Sub-department

Farm

Base pay

$54,434

Overtime

$4,469

Other pay

$382

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$59,285

Hire date

2022-05-25

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

69

Union / bargaining unit

Technical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Gabriele Koniszczuk is a Zoo Keeper at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Farm. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $59,285. Their bargaining unit is Technical.

Sub-department

Nature Preschool

Base pay

$58,890

Overtime

$217

Other pay

$0

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$59,107

Hire date

2000-09-06

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

61

Union / bargaining unit

Technical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Debra Mikelson serves as a Interpret Naturalist Aide within Nature Preschool. Hired in 2000, they have about 25 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $59,107. Their bargaining unit is Technical.

Sub-department

Special Events

Base pay

$58,417

Overtime

$0

Other pay

$163

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$58,580

Hire date

2023-10-25

Employment type

Part-Time

Pay grade

11

Union / bargaining unit

MN Assoc of Professional Empl

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

0.75

Work county

Dakota

Ana Albrecht is a Special Events Coordinator at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Special Events. Their tenure dates to 2023, about 2 years, working part-time, 0.75 FTE. 2025 total compensation came to $58,580. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Sub-department

Ambassador Animals

Base pay

$56,307

Overtime

$2,015

Other pay

$207

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$58,529

Hire date

2023-01-04

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

69

Union / bargaining unit

Technical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Taylor Blake serves as a Zoo Keeper within Ambassador Animals. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $58,529. They are represented by Technical.

Sub-department

Horticulture

Base pay

$58,204

Overtime

$0

Other pay

$0

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$58,204

Hire date

2024-01-31

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

60

Union / bargaining unit

Service

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Mitchell Prokop holds the role of Groundskeeper Inter at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Horticulture. They have served since 2024 (about a year) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $58,204. Union affiliation: Service.

Sub-department

Horticulture

Base pay

$58,204

Overtime

$0

Other pay

$0

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$58,204

Hire date

2007-10-03

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

5

Union / bargaining unit

MN Assoc of Professional Empl

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Justin Funk serves as a Horticulturist within Horticulture. They have served since 2007 (about 18 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $58,204. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Sub-department

Building Services

Base pay

$52,791

Overtime

$2,445

Other pay

$2,912

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$58,148

Hire date

2014-12-03

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

60

Union / bargaining unit

Service

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Sokhon Teng holds the role of General Maintenance Worker at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Building Services. Their tenure dates to 2014, about 11 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $58,148. Union affiliation: Service.

Sub-department

Communications

Base pay

$57,902

Overtime

$83

Other pay

$0

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$57,985

Hire date

2022-01-19

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

7

Union / bargaining unit

MN Assoc of Professional Empl

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Stefanie Toftey works as a Information Officer 2 for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Communications. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service as a full-time employee. Stefanie earned $57,985 in 2025. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Sub-department

Animal Health

Base pay

$55,159

Overtime

$2,452

Other pay

$62

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$57,674

Hire date

2021-06-15

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

66

Union / bargaining unit

Technical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Ashley Buttle serves as a Animal Health Technician within Animal Health. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 4 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $57,674. Their bargaining unit is Technical.

Sub-department

Building Services

Base pay

$52,970

Overtime

$1,278

Other pay

$3,336

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$57,583

Hire date

2012-03-28

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

60

Union / bargaining unit

Service

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Kevin Pesch is a General Maintenance Worker at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Building Services. Hired in 2012, they have about 13 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $57,583. They are represented by Service.

Sub-department

Sales Box Office & Membership

Base pay

$56,335

Overtime

$447

Other pay

$0

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$56,782

Hire date

2009-03-06

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

61

Union / bargaining unit

Clerical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Stacey Hand holds the role of Office & Administrative Specialist Int at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Sales Box Office & Membership. Their tenure dates to 2009, about 16 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $56,782. They are represented by Clerical.

Sub-department

Building Services

Base pay

$52,778

Overtime

$3,460

Other pay

$243

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$56,481

Hire date

1991-05-30

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

60

Union / bargaining unit

Service

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Timothy Ingram serves as a General Maintenance Worker within Building Services. They have served since 1991 (about 34 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $56,481. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Sub-department

Ambassador Animals

Base pay

$54,649

Overtime

$1,734

Other pay

$34

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$56,417

Hire date

2017-05-15

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

69

Union / bargaining unit

Technical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Matthew Detjen holds the role of Zoo Keeper at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Ambassador Animals. Their tenure dates to 2017, about 8 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $56,417. They are represented by Technical.

Sub-department

Communications

Base pay

$56,375

Overtime

$0

Other pay

$0

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$56,375

Hire date

2002-05-13

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

5

Union / bargaining unit

MN Assoc of Professional Empl

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Kathryn Ganfield serves as a Information Officer 1 within Communications. Hired in 2002, they have about 22 years of service, working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $56,375. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Sub-department

Tropics & MN Trail

Base pay

$54,351

Overtime

$1,943

Other pay

$15

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$56,309

Hire date

2012-05-17

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

69

Union / bargaining unit

Technical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Jayme Pugh holds the role of Zoo Keeper at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Tropics & MN Trail. Their tenure dates to 2012, about 13 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $56,309. They are represented by Technical.

Sub-department

Animal Health

Base pay

$54,661

Overtime

$1,567

Other pay

$69

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$56,297

Hire date

2021-06-09

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

66

Union / bargaining unit

Technical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Olivia Heron serves as a Animal Health Technician within Animal Health. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 4 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $56,297. They are represented by Technical.

Sub-department

Horticulture

Base pay

$55,246

Overtime

$764

Other pay

$0

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$56,010

Hire date

2007-10-03

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

60

Union / bargaining unit

Service

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Justin Funk is a Groundskeeper Inter at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Horticulture. Hired in 2007, they have about 17 years of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $56,010. They are represented by Service.

Sub-department

Horticulture

Base pay

$55,963

Overtime

$0

Other pay

$0

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$55,963

Hire date

2024-01-31

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

60

Union / bargaining unit

Service

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Jeremy Gohr serves as a Groundskeeper Inter within Horticulture. Hired in 2024, they have about a year of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $55,963. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Sub-department

Outreach

Base pay

$55,190

Overtime

$636

Other pay

$22

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$55,848

Hire date

2008-05-21

Employment type

Part-Time

Pay grade

5

Union / bargaining unit

MN Assoc of Professional Empl

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

0.75

Work county

Dakota

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Leah Darst serves as a Interpret Naturalist 1 within Outreach. They have served since 2008 (about 16 years), working part-time, 0.75 FTE. Their 2024 pay totaled $55,848. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Sub-department

Ambassador Animals

Base pay

$53,243

Overtime

$2,361

Other pay

$235

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$55,838

Hire date

2016-03-09

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

69

Union / bargaining unit

Technical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Sarah Mariette serves as a Zoo Keeper within Ambassador Animals. They have served since 2016 (about 9 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $55,838. Their bargaining unit is Technical.

Sub-department

Marketing

Base pay

$54,058

Overtime

$1,338

Other pay

$232

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$55,628

Hire date

1992-04-17

Employment type

Part-Time

Pay grade

66

Union / bargaining unit

Technical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

0.75

Work county

Dakota

Shannon Ruschmeyer-Klahr holds the role of Graphic Arts Specialist at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Marketing. Hired in 1992, they have about 33 years of service as a part-time, 0.75 FTE employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $55,628. Their bargaining unit is Technical.

Sub-department

Guest Services

Base pay

$52,849

Overtime

$2,544

Other pay

$90

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$55,483

Hire date

2002-11-10

Employment type

Part-Time

Pay grade

67

Union / bargaining unit

Clerical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

0.75

Work county

Dakota

Rebecca Gervais works as a Customer Services Specialist Princ for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Guest Services. Their tenure dates to 2002, about 23 years as a part-time, 0.75 FTE employee. Rebecca earned $55,483 in 2025. Union affiliation: Clerical.

Sub-department

Outreach

Base pay

$55,285

Overtime

$106

Other pay

$16

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$55,408

Hire date

2019-12-26

Employment type

Part-Time

Pay grade

5

Union / bargaining unit

MN Assoc of Professional Empl

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

0.8

Work county

Dakota

Sara Swenson works as a Interpret Naturalist 1 for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Outreach. Their tenure dates to 2019, about 6 years as a part-time, 0.8 FTE employee. Sara earned $55,408 in 2025. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Sub-department

Building Services

Base pay

$52,260

Overtime

$2,801

Other pay

$321

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$55,382

Hire date

2014-07-16

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

60

Union / bargaining unit

Service

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Daniel Brickley works as a General Maintenance Worker for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Building Services. Hired in 2014, they have about 11 years of service as a full-time employee. Daniel earned $55,382 in 2025. Union affiliation: Service.

Sub-department

Aquatics

Base pay

$52,506

Overtime

$2,237

Other pay

$12

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$54,756

Hire date

2022-07-20

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

69

Union / bargaining unit

Technical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Leah Ngo holds the role of Zoo Keeper at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Aquatics. They have served since 2022 (about 3 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $54,756. Their bargaining unit is Technical.

Sub-department

Human Resources

Base pay

$33,961

Overtime

$0

Other pay

$20,577

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$54,538

Hire date

2005-11-30

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

16

Union / bargaining unit

Confidential

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Charles Dively holds the role of Training & Development Specialist 4 at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Human Resources. They have served since 2005 (about 20 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $54,538. Union affiliation: Confidential.

Sub-department

Building Services

Base pay

$52,469

Overtime

$2,031

Other pay

$0

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$54,499

Hire date

2011-04-01

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

60

Union / bargaining unit

Service

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Jennifer Muller holds the role of General Maintenance Worker at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Building Services. Hired in 2011, they have about 14 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $54,499. Union affiliation: Service.

Sub-department

Director's Office Support

Base pay

$54,382

Overtime

$0

Other pay

$0

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$54,382

Hire date

2022-10-17

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

64

Union / bargaining unit

Clerical

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Brittany Norton holds the role of Office & Administrative Specialist Senior at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Director's Office Support. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $54,382. They are represented by Clerical.

Sub-department

Health & Security

Base pay

$49,542

Overtime

$2,559

Other pay

$2,149

Benefits

$0

Total compensation

$54,250

Hire date

2024-01-17

Employment type

Full-Time

Pay grade

66

Union / bargaining unit

Service

Pay basis

Hourly

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

1

Work county

Dakota

Gracie Allen works as a Campus Security Officer for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Health & Security. Their tenure dates to 2024, about a year as a full-time employee. Gracie earned $54,250 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Service.