Love animals? Want to make a positive impact on the planet? Come join Woodland Park Zoo as a Lead Gardener. We have one, full-time, benefitted position open.
This position is responsible for the care and management of interior tropical plant collections in zoo/conservatory and greenhouse settings. Experience in greenhouse management and production, and IPM as well as some experience in floral/plant design and event staging is desired.
SUMMARY
This position is responsible the day to day oversight of the Zoo horticulture and landscaping within assigned areas by performing the following duties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintain and manage Zoo horticulture and surrounding landscapes including improvements and assigned projects.
- Communicate and coordinate the activities with Horticulture staff, Animal Management and other departments.
- Assist in developing and implementing aesthetic, interpretive, facility and functional improvements.
- Assist in developing and implement an ongoing Integrated Pest Management plan (IPM).
- Lead and perform non-routine spraying, pruning, or planting; performs aspects of plant propagation and care including soil preparation and mixing, pruning, fertilizing, spraying, potting, of plants, preparation of trees and shrubs for transplanting, and propagation by seeds, cuttings, layering, grafting, or divisions.
- Help develop, make recommendations and/or implements the type of landscape maintenance, rebuilding or construction required for a given location.
- Lead the implementation of landscape designs from blueprints and plans.
- Lead the work of a major horticultural unit such as a greenhouse, nursery, conservatory, or ornamental landscape installation.
- Operate motor vehicle to, between, and from work locations.
- Make recommendations for ordering new materials, maintains time, pesticide control, and other related records, and prepares required reports.
- Assist in the preparation and justification of annual budget information. Maintain records on all expenditures.
- Perform other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position coordinates day to day work primarily of Gardeners and Assistant Gardeners.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Demonstrated experience in the care and management of horticultural assets as they pertain to zoological or related institutions, including rose gardens.
- Understanding of IPM principles and techniques required.
- Knowledge of the methods, materials, procedures, tools, and equipment associated with landscaping and gardening is required.
- Commitment to the mission of the zoo and the institutions’ Core Values.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited four-year college or university; and three years’ experience in and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Understanding of IPM principles and techniques required. Knowledge of the methods, materials, procedures, tools, and equipment associated with landscaping and gardening is required.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
- Valid US driver's license required
- Washington State Public Pesticide Operators License required
- TB test may be required annually
COMPUTER SKILLS
Knowledge and experience with MS Office required
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
MATHEMATICAL ABILITY
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit.
This position may require handling or working with toxic/hazardous substances. Work outdoors in all types of weather and work in areas of high vehicular or pedestrian traffic are required
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock and vibration.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Pay: $29.57 per hour plus benefits
Employment Requirements:
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid WA driver's license with a safe driving history. A criminal background check, driving record review, pre-employment physical, and pre-employment tuberculosis test will be required of the selected applicant. This role is not remote. Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role
Application Directions: Applications are accepted online through our Jobs Page at zoo.org/jobs; no other forms of application will be accepted. Cover letter is optional and resume is required.
Woodland Park Zoo is pleased to offer a comprehensive program of group benefits to help maintain your and your family’s health and wellbeing. These include:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
- 11 paid holidays, 2 personal holidays
- Vacation and sick accrual
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Free zoo membership that includes zoo admission and discounts
- 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perks
- Free staff parking
- Working for an organization that cares about wildlife conservation!
Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in application and employment for any reason, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, disability or medical status including genetic information, and/or veteran’s status.
Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all of its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.
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