Kid Territory: Jobs: Running the Machines

Our mechanics can’t be afraid of heights when they work on the Zoo’s Skyfari aerial tram!

The Zoo’s fleet of double-decked buses depend on mechanics to keep them running smoothly for our guests.

Mechanics help keep the Zoo's fleet of buses and the Park's tour vehicles running smoothly..

Anything with wheels and a motor will need one of our talented mechanics sooner or later!

What we do

We’re the mechanics who maintain and repair the tour buses, elevators, moving sidewalks, and Skyfari aerial tram ride at the San Diego Zoo, and the Journey into Africa and Photo Caravan tour vehicles at the Wild Animal Park. We also work on any other equipment with wheels and/or a motor. There are more than 600 pieces of rolling stock between the two facilities, and every single employee ends up using our vehicles or equipment, or needs our help at some point!

What’s cool about this job

It’s fun to fix things, and there’s a satisfaction in seeing a job well done. There are so many unique pieces of equipment that there’s a lot of diversity in the jobs. For instance, at the Wild Animal Park the animal keepers drive right into the field enclosures to feed and clean up after the animals. It was a challenge keeping the animals in the field, such as the rhinos, from tearing up the trucks! So one mechanic designed guards that wrap around the vehicles.

We have a varied work environment. Sometimes we work independently, and sometimes as part of a team. Our work takes us outdoors as well as inside the garage. And we enjoy seeing all the different visitors who come through our gates.

Job challenges

Many of our pieces of equipment are older or one-of-a kind. We stay busy keeping them running, and if something breaks down, we sometimes build new parts ourselves, since we can’t buy them anymore. Sometimes it’s frustrating to have to fix something that broke because of mistakes or carelessness by the user.

We start early in the day and work fast because the transportation vehicles and the rides have to be ready for our visitors when our front gates open. The working hours are changeable since we adapt to changing hours of operation, and accommodate special events during or outside of the Zoo's and Park’s regular hours.

How this job helps animals

Our vehicles deliver all the food to the animals, and are used to transport animals from one area to another. Millions of guests enjoy the spacious Zoo and Park via the tour vehicles and aerial tram. The rides also generate revenue for the care of the animals. The moving sidewalks transport people up the steep hills of the Zoo—which makes them really happy!

How to get a job like this

Take shop classes in high school, and have mechanical inclinations, ability, and experience. Also have automotive and welding experience. Be persistent when applying for jobs. And if you want to work on the Skyfari, don’t be afraid of heights! Our tallest tower is 88 feet (27 meters) high, and you’ll be riding on a one-inch (25-millimeter) cable!