Maryland Zoo is an EEO employer - M/F/Vets/Disabled
General Summary: The Horticulturist willprovide grounds and landscaping maintenance of assigned sections and assistwith horticulture planning, design, and overall appearance of the Zoo. This position reports to the HorticultureManager. Additionally, the Horticulturalist will support the Zoo'sconservation, sustainability, education and DEAI goals.
Essential Functions:
Primary Functions:
- Provide routine maintenance to include, but notlimited to, watering, spraying, weeding, fertilizing, pesticide application, pruning,mowing, mulching, edging, blowing, and leaf and debris removal;
- Maintain landscaping of assigned exhibit;
- Participate in the planning, designing, purchasing,planting, and maintenance of display gardens, exhibits and other related areas;
- Harvest plants, andtransplant or pot and label them;
- Observe and document planthealth for possible signs of insects or diseases;
- Operate tractors and othermachinery and equipment to fertilize, cultivate, harvest, and spray fields andplants;
- Inspect plants and bud tiesto assess quality;
- Dig, cut, and transplantseedlings, cuttings, trees, and shrubs;
- Move containerized shrubs,plants, and trees using a ball cart or tractors;
- Maintain cleanliness at workstations;
- Haul and spread topsoil,fertilizer, peat moss, and other materials to condition soil, using wheelbarrowsor carts and shovels;
- Maintainknowledge of plants and associated problems such as diseases, weeds, and insectpests;
- Determine plant growingconditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and setplanting and care schedules;
- Assist with preventative maintenance on allequipment;
- Shovel areas clear of snow and ice;
- Fulfill on-call duty twenty-four hours a day inorder to report as emergency personnel for situations such as snow removal andstorm damage;
- Assist Exhibit Specialists with various projects;
- Assist with greenhouse maintenance;
- Maintain interior foliage plants in public areas andadministrative offices;
- Participate in professional development and obtainindustry certifications, as assigned;
- Ensure guest safety at alltimes;
- Perform other duties asassigned; and,
- Adhere to all policies andprocedures of the Zoo.
Communication (Internaland External):
- Participate in keeper encounters, presentations andother educational zoo programs;
- Attendarea, department and All Staff meetings;
- Respond appropriately toguests' questions, comments, or concerns;
- Communicate with fellow employeesby a campus wide radio as needed following Zoo radio etiquette and protocol atall times; and,
- Contact an appropriate staffmember necessary to resolve guest issues.
Management of Resources (Financial,Human Resources, Facilities):
- Train volunteers to perform routine maintenance andspecial work assignments; and
- Must be able to work with volunteers assigned to thedepartment.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
- Associates degree in Horticulture, Science orrelated field preferred. Relatedhorticulture experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Bachelor's degree in related field may be consideredin lieu of experience requirement.
Experience/Training:
- Minimumof five years of horticulture experience in commercial landscaping or relatedindustry strongly preferred;
- Priorand/ or current industry certification(s) preferred;
- Mustpossess plant knowledge; and,
- Mustbe 21 years old and possess a valid driver's license.
Working Conditions:
- Physicaldemands are in excess of those for sedentary work- must be able to stand andremain active, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb and balance foran eight-hour shift;
- Mustbe able to walk large areas of the Zoo as needed;
- Must be able to work in anoutdoor weather environment in all seasons and weather, includingheat/humidity, cold temperatures, and/or wet conditions;
- Ability to work a flexibleschedule to include weekends, holidays, and special events;
- Must be able to exert up to 75pounds of force occasionally, 50 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amountof force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise moveobjects;
- Must be able to work aroundanimals including bee hives;
- Exposure to zoo animals andinsects, Zoonoticdiseases, and risk of animal attack;
- Exposureto zoo collection animals, non-collection animals, poison ivy and othernaturally occurring irritants, and stinging insects; and,
- Potentialexposure to Zoonotic diseases and risk of animal attack.
Equipment:
- Mustbe able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including computer,telephone, two-way radio, vehicles, golf carts, hand tools, gardening/carpentry tools (tractor,weed eater, tiller, etc.), machinery, etc. (non-motorized tools arepredominantly used);
- Willbe trained and must be able to operate and maintain backhoe, skid steer, or anyother equipment obtained by the department and necessary to perform the job;and
- Musthave proficiency with tiller, weed eaters, blowers and other landscapeequipment.
Hospitality:
- Friendly and outgoing;
- Able to work independentlyand as a team;
- Possess a positive andpatient attitude; and,
- Possess excellent verbalcommunication skills.
Traits Desirable:
- Ability to work withindividuals from a wide variety of ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds; and,
- Self-directed,collaborative and detail-oriented.
Benefits:
- Weoffer an excellent benefits package including 24 days of Paid Time Off (PTO),Sick and Safe Leave, and 2 paid holidays.
- Eligiblefor medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, and lifeinsurance.
- 401(k)with employer match.
Disclaimer:
The statements above are intended to describe the generalnature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to thisclassification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustivelist of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel soclassified. Therefore, management reserves the right to revise the job orto require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change.
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